In 1946, the movie It’s A Wonderful Life introduced the world to Bedford Falls, New York.  A fictitious village in upstate New York which people living in Seneca Falls, New York thought looked very familiar.  Starting with the steel truss bridge over the Seneca River where the character George Bailey, played by actor Jimmy Stewart, was contemplating suicide.  That’s when an angel named Clarence jumped in to the river.  George went in after Clarence to save him totally changing George’s mental state of mind. This lead to the Angel Clarence giving George his wish to see life as if he had never been born.

The steel truss Bridge Street bridge spanning the Seneca River in Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/80s, f/18, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 56mm focal length

The Village of Seneca Falls feels so strongly about being the model for Director Frank Capra‘s Bedford Falls they put these plaques on the Bridge Street bridge. Click the photo below to read what the plaque has to say.

A plaque on the steel truss Bridge Street bridge in Seneca Falls, New York proclaims it as one of the many similarities to the fictional town of Bedford Falls in the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/100s, f/16, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length.

To promote Seneca Falls as Bedford Falls, the village has several cues to the movie including street signs, shops and restaurants named for characters in the movie.  I found Clarence Street, Angel Avenue, banner for a play, a museum for the movie and ZuZu Café.  ZuZu was the name of George Bailey’s little girl who at the end of the movie said, “Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” Something Clarence earned by helping George during the movie.

Two indications of Seneca Falls, New York embracing the movie It's a Wonderful Life as part of its culture.

In this age when industry has left small towns like Seneca Falls, I take my hat off to the people of Seneca Falls for creating a tourism destination throughout the year especially during the month of December when they annually put on the play Merry Christmas, George Bailey based on the movie.

A banner in the center of downtown Seneca Falls. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 150mm focal length.

If you are driving down the New York State Thruway, take a detour at Exit 41 and visit Seneca Falls. See if you agree it’s a wonderful place to see.