Harveys Lake has an interesting history. To start with Harveys Lake is a natural, spring fed glacial lake formed as the glacier receded at the end of the Ice Age. In 1780, Benjamin Harvey and his son were sitting in their Plymouth home drinking hard cider, when Indians under the command of Lt. Turney captured them as prisoners of war. Harvey 59 at the time, was given to the Indians to be disposed of. The Indian chief tied Harvey to a tree and selected three of his warriors to throw tomahawks at Harvey. The three tomahawks all struck the tree just inches from Harvey's head. Taking this as a sign from the great spirit, the Indian Chief ordered Harvey to be taken to Fort Niagra as a prisoner of war. Harvey was released on parole in 1781. He then started a five week journey back to plymouth. En route, Harvey suffered from hunger and exposure, causing him to stray from his course. Inadvertantly, Benjamin Harvey stumbled upon the 660 acre lake which now bears his name.