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Tompkins County is located in upstate New York and is home to the City of Ithaca, which is its county seat. The region was originally inhabited by the indigenous Cayuga people, and European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century. The area was officially established as Tompkins County in 1817, named after Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.

During the 19th century, Tompkins County experienced significant growth and development. The construction of the Cayuga and Seneca Canal in the 1820s connected the county to the Erie Canal, bringing increased trade and commerce to the area. The arrival of the railroad in the 1830s further facilitated economic growth and transportation. Agriculture became a major industry, with dairy farming, livestock raising, and fruit growing being prominent. In addition, the establishment of Cornell University in 1865 brought educational and research opportunities to the county.

Tompkins County was also known for its progressive and reformist movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It became a center for the women's suffrage movement, with notable activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage residing in the area. The county was involved in the underground railroad, helping escaped slaves reach freedom in Canada.

In the latter part of the 20th century, Tompkins County experienced a shift towards a more diverse and knowledge-based economy. With Cornell University and Ithaca College as educational institutions, the county became known as a hub for research, technology, and higher education. Today, it continues to thrive as a center for innovation and progressive values, attracting people from various backgrounds to live and work in the area.