A History of Bear Lake (NY) has at its core 12 chapters based on recorded oral histories of long-time Bear Lake families, both residential and seasonal. It also includes chapters on the Bear Lake Property Owners Association and its later Bear Lake Association, on the Association's successful bio-control program to combat invasive weed species, on how the required New York State Title Search can be used to discover the history of one's cottage/home, on the local basket factory, on the officers and directors of the two Associations, and a chapter entitled "Did You Know That?" which records tales, myths, anecdotes and miscellanea about Bear Lake. Two early chapters describe the early natural/cultural history of the Bear Lake region and how the western half of New York State was mapped into town and ranges and lots by the surveyors employed by the Holland Land Company to describe almost 3 million wilderness acres now known as Western New York. Bob and Anne Deming have had a home at Bear Lake for almost 40 years, first as a summer cottage, then renovated as a year-round residence, and now functioning as a summer home again for 4 months each year. They have been active in the Bear Lake Association, Anne having served as President for several years and Bob having served as Secretary, Historian, and the Bear Lake Newsletter editor. Each summer since 2003, Bob and Anne have welcomed their 3 children and their 5 grandchildren to Bear Lake. Previous to that time, summer stays at the Bear Lake cottage varied depending on where Bob and Anne were during summers.