USA > New York > Monroe County > Gates > From the wilderness : town of Gates sesquicentennial, 1813-1963 > Part 4
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year the City Council sold the airport lands to the County and on January 1, 1948 the Monroe County Department of Public Works assumed operation.
In 1962 the County Board of Supervisors voted to expand the present airport and build a new NE-SW runway to accommodate medium jet planes. This work is now under construction.
COLDWATER DEPOT
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An Important Location For Nearly 150 Years
When the stagecoach stopped at the famous Howard House, located on the very spot where our Shell Station now stands, travelers received the finest hospitality and service.
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Civil Defense
CD
During World War II, the Town of Gates was one of the first towns in Monroe County to realize the importance of a Civil Defense, and it took im- mediate steps to set up an organization of civilian volunteers which consisted of a group known then as air raid wardens. Many of the town's old resi- dents came forth and volunteered for this service to help protect the lives of their neighbors should the town be subjected to enemy bombing or attack during the dark days of the second World War.
After VJ Day, when most of us thought that the surrender signed on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay was a guarantee of peace and that our armed forces had successfully fought and won the war that was to end all wars, we disbanded our early Civil Defense Corps with a sincere feeling that the peace was secure and that we had no further use of such an organization.
The span of a few short years was to show us that we were wrong. Communist aggression became evident in many parts of the world. Russia ex- ploded its first atomic bomb. Then came the com- munist attack in Korea. It was obvious then that the nation must have a Civil Defense Organization to protect its populace against an enemy attack in the years to come.
The citizens of Gates responded again and vol- unteered their time and services to establish the present Civil Defense Organization in the town which stands ready at any hour to provide assistance to all in the event of a natural or enemy caused disaster. The present organization is composed of a staff headed by Col. Raymond L. Welch, Civil Defense Administrator, Supervisor Frank Kipers, Deputy Civil Defense Director to Col. Robert N. Abbott, a resident of Gates and the first and pres- ent Director of Civil Defense of Monroe County.
CAPT. CLARENCE KELLY
The elements of Civil Defense consist of the Auxiliary Police Force which will supplement the regular force. Its members volunteer their services at civic functions, church traffic details, Halloween patrols and they were called out for such emer- gencies as the Hinchey Road Shopping center fire, the Wishing Well Fire and others, the Medical Aides who have been trained to render first aid, assist in the operation of Aid Stations, and Hospitals; the Mass Feeding Section whose members are trained to run field kitchens and serve large numbers of people; the Communications Section which will handle com- munications; the Rescue Teams whose personnel will have the responsibility of clearing debris, opening roads and rescuing people from collapsed buildings in the event of disaster; the Radiological Teams who will measure and report the level of radio activity in event of nuclear attack; the Transportation Sec- tion which provides emergency transportation; the Wardens Section which will operate Fallout Shelters, alert the citizenry of an impending attack etc.
The members of our Civil Defense are to be commended for their unselfish sacrifices in behalf of their fellow citizens and as Carl Sandburg has said, "Wherever there is freedom, there have been those who fought, toiled and sacrificed for it. That has been American history." The same can be said of the citizens of Gates.
Members of the uniformed Civil Defense Auxiliary Police Volunteers, who stand ready to aid in any disaster and whose services are an appreciated part of civic affairs.
8
Town of Gates 11813
11963 Sesquicentennial
DESIGN OF THE TIMES
Congratulations to the Town of Gates on its Sesquicentennial Anniversary. We are privileged to have contributed to this great event as designers of the Gates Ses- quicentennial Emblem, Public Relations Advisors and creators of the format for this Historical Book.
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Sanitary Sewer Project
Public hearings on a proposed multi-million dol- lar sewer district to serve Gates, Chili and Ogden were first held in July, 1956. Bids were opened in August of 1957 and construction was begun in 1958. Previous to this a County Sewer Agency was estab- lished on August 1, 1955 by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors and included Elbert Finch, Supervisor of Gates; Thomas Steckel, Supervisor of Chili and Francis Carroll, Director of County Pub- lic Works. The Gates-Chili-Ogden Sewer District was established September 4, 1956.
The original plan called for an expenditure of $7,800,000.00. Due to the demands for service in areas within the district that were not included in the original plan, the Agency found it necessary to extend the facilities and also provide an administra- tion building and a maintenance building that were not included in the original bond issue. The cost of these additional facilities and other factors added $7,020,000.00 to the total estimated cost of the pro- ject. To be more specific, new work and changes added miles of sewer lines, and account for $2,300,- 000.00. The administration and maintenance build- ings account for $140,000.00. Added costs of con- struction due to changes demanded by the state, easements, etc., added $1,180,360.00 to the cost. A price rise of approximately 5% per year since the project was started in 1956 and an allowance for contingencies account for the remaining $3,399,- 640.00.
According to Donald W. Russell, Administrative Director of Monroe County Sewer Agency, this local sewer installation is the largest such project ever at- tempted in the State of New York.
The Sewage Treatment Plant, located in Paul Road, Chili, was completed in August, 1960. Sewer installation, within the original boundaries of the contract in the Town of Gates was completed in 1963.
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Fifteen pumping stations serve the district, five of which are in Gates. One hundred fifty-two miles of trunk line and street laterals and 27 miles of house services have been installed, serving 3,570 homes and businesses in the district.
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Gates Public Library
Early in 1959 the Gates-Chili Council, P.T.A. rec- ognized the need in the towns for a public library. In April, 1959, the P.T.A. Council invited Mrs. James Sebaste, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Monroe County Library System at that time, to speak to them on the services of the Monroe County Library System. From this meeting the Gates library movement was born.
On June 9, 1959 a group of thirty Gates resi- dents among them representatives of local organiza- tions, met at an informational meeting held at the Gates-Chili High School. Mr. Hacker, Director of the Rochester Public Library and of the Monroe County Library System, outlined the steps to be taken in the establishment of a library.
On June 30, 1959 committees were formed to work on Budget, Location, Information and Public- ity. Mr. Ralph Johnston was made Vice-Chairman of the Library Committee.
At a meeting of the Gates Town Board, Novem- ber 11, 1959, the establishment of a library for the Town of Gates was approved and $15,000.00 was budgeted for the library, to become available after January 1, 1960.
Library Trustees appointed by the Town Board were Mr. Ralph Johnston, Mrs. Kenneth Freislich, Mrs. Kenneth Kemp, Mrs. Gordon York and Mr. Joseph Morrow. Mr. Johnston was named temporary chairman. The new library Board held its first meet- ing December 2, 1959 and elected the following of- ficers: Mr. Ralph Johnston, President; Mrs. Ken- neth Freislich, Vice-President; Mrs. Gordon York, Secretary and Mrs. Kenneth Kemp, Treasurer.
An application was made to the New York State Board of Regents for a charter and the same was granted February 26, 1960. The Library and its trustees are under the regulation of the State Education Department.
In April, 1960 the Library Board leased the Grange Hall premises at 1408 Buffalo Road as the future home of the Library. A successful "Book Drive" was held in October, 1960 and on January 3, 1961 the doors were opened to the new 6,500 Vol- ume Gates Public Library. Mrs. Walter Wenkert, a consultant to the Monroe County Library System, became temporary head librarian.
Mrs. David E. Klonick became the Library's first director and has been serving as Librarian to the Gates Town Library since September, 1961.
The "Friends of the Gates Public Library" was formed by a group of Gates citizens in January, 1962. Their purpose is sharing a common interest in the library and promoting an informed interest in the services, needs and objectives of the Library.
Headquarters For Town Events
GATES GRANGE.
Established in 1961, the Gates Public Library is located at 1408 Buffalo Road, in the Grange Hall.
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Long May It Wave OVER THE SUBURBAN TOWN OF GATES
The beautiful blue and gold flag which flies in front of the Gates Town Hall, was designed by Richard Ramsauer, Art Instructor at Gates=Chili High School. Pic- tured with the Official Flag is Mr. Ram- sauer, who also designed the Town Seal which is shown below.
WN
G.
FOUNDED IN 1813
T
J
ES
County
Cornerstone
C
U
TOWN SEAL .
ONROE
TY
Readin' 'Ritin' 'n' 'Rithmetic'
#
Earliest mention of schools in the old Town of Northampton is to be found in McIntosh's History of Gates where it is reported that one Peter Sheffer was elected school commissioner in the year 1798. The first school committee, according to this author, was formed in 1799 and consisted of Chapman Haw- ley, Joseph Morgan and Josiah Fish. This would in- dicate that there must have been a school of some sort at that very early date, even though there prob- ably were not more than a dozen families living west of the Genesee River.
Actually, the earliest record of an established school in the Town of Gates is contained in the min- utes of newly organized school district No. 11 (later changed to No. 5) dated May 15, 1824, at which it was decided to build a schoolhouse on the northeast corner of Alexander Kenyon's farm. As far as can be ascertained from these minutes, the school- house was built in the vicinity of Buffalo and Elm- grove roads, and pre-dated the old No. 5 school which stood for 132 years at this same location.
In succeeding years four other public schools were built in the Town of Gates by the forward- looking citizens of our town.
In these early days children were sent to school when they could be spared from planting and har- vesting, and when weather permitted. Sometimes there were only three or four months of school each year. There was a summer school and a winter school, with a different teacher for each session. Usually it was a man in winter when the fires had to be made each morning and when the older boys could attend school and required a firm hand, and a woman in summer. One teacher taught grades one through eight. Desks were merely smoothed boards placed on braces and the children sat on benches. Teachers boarded at the homes of the various pupils and it was deemed a privilege to be the host.
Prior to 1849 support for education came from a state grant, depending upon the number of school- age children in a district, and from a tax levied against each town by the County Supervisors. Ad- ditional funds were supplied by parents, who paid in proportion to the number of school-age children and the total number of days they attended. Conse- quently many children who should have been in school were not simply because their parents could not afford to send them. Then in 1849 "an Act Es- tablishing Free Schools Throughout the State" was passed by the legislature.
DISTRICT SCHOOL No. 5
(Formerly District No. 11 and District No. 8)
This little, one-room schoolhouse had its begin- ning in May, 1824, when a meeting was held to elect school officers. I. P. Fitch was chosen moderator; Jonathan Kingsley, clerk; James Merrill, William Jameson, Luke Hopkins and Joshua Beaman, trus- tees. It was voted to hold school for three months beginning in December, 1824, and to have a woman teacher. At a meeting held in January of the same year, it was voted to pay James Merrill $12.50 for labour done on the schoolhouse.
The book of minutes, laboriously written-some- times legible and sometimes not, is in the possession of Warren B. DeWitt, 2893 Buffalo Road, who was a trustee of District No. 5 from 1949 until the school was closed in 1952.
It was in 1828 that the existing school was re- built at a cost of $190.00. At a succeeding meeting in 1829, a plan for insuring that the pupils would be kept warm, was devised. Each man in the district was to furnish one half cord of wood for each scholar and if a man neglected to do so when his turn came, he must pay $1.00 for every cord of wood neglected.
In 1874 the school budget was: Teacher's salary, $104.60; purchase of stove, $40.00; coal for stove, $25.00; Incidentals, $2.50; total, $172.10.
The Beaman family was active in school affairs since 1824. Names of Joshua Beaman's descendents are to be found in the school minutes through 1914 when the final minutes included in the book, are signed by Frank Beaman, clerk. The school budget at that time was estimated for the coming year at $400.00.
In 1953, No. 5 had a balance on hand of $3,969.37, ending its 129 year history in good financial shape.
The little schoolhouse stood, unused and un- wanted for nearly seven years after its pupils left to attend Thomas Edison School, and in 1961 was fin- ally dismantled.
This little one-room school house served Gates Dis- trict No. 5 for 129 years. It was located, though not used, until 1961 at the corner of Buffalo and Elmgrove Roads.
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Congratulations
TOWN OF GATES ON YOUR SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
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CONGRATULATIONS to the Town of Gates on it's continuing progress.
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Thousands of Gates boys and girls learned the "Three Rs" in this school- house which was built in 1828 at the corner of Buffalo and Elmgrove Roads.
WASHINGTON IRVING SCHOOL
E
(Formerly District No. 9 and District No. 1)
In the vault of Washington Irving School on Chili Avenue, is a yellowed, torn scrap of paper, deeding a lot 54' x 28' to Gates-Chili District No. 9 for a school house. It bears the date, December 19, 1826. The land, on which Gates-Chili Firehouse No. 1 now stands, was given by one Joel Wheeler.
At the first school meeting held on October 3, 1826, with Daniel Loomis acting as chairman, it was voted to raise $199.50 to complete a school house, $50.00 for a woodshed, $20.00 for a back house and $30.00 for buying a stove and pipe. Cyrus Handy was elcted clerk; James Wooden, trustee; John Ken- nell, collector and Thomas Brady, librarian.
This building was to the best of our knowledge, a log cabin, and served the district for nearly 20 years. Then on March 30, 1844, a special meeting was held at which it was decided to build a new schoolhouse on the site of the old building. On Jan- uary 25, 1850 it was voted to have four months of summer school and four months of winter school and to raise by tax $75.00 for teachers' wages for the coming year. In 1851 the school year was extended to ten months.
These teachers taught all eight grades at the Na. 1 Schoalhause an Chili Road in years gane by. They are: Left, Miss Louise Vane, 1864-1865, and Right, Miss Ada Scarse, 1891. The photographs were laaned by Mrs. Lauise Daunton Scott.
Some improvements were made during the ensu- ing years. Shade trees were planted; new seats were installed and the building painted from time to time.
In 1844 John Kennell, who had faithfully served the district as clerk for 32 years, retired. About 1894 it was decided to let the schoolhouse for meetings, Sabbath School, lectures, ete., so that in addition to serving as a place of learning, the old school house became a center of church and social activity and re- mained so for many years.
All this constant use took its toll and at the an- nual meeting held August 6, 1901, School Commis- sioner Chauncey Brainard informed the Board that unless more room was provided and the present building better lighted and ventilated, it would be condemned. A motion was made and carried to levy a tax of $1200 to build an addition to the old house including a cellar and furnace and to make needed repairs.
From that time on District No. 1, as it was now designated, grew by leaps and bounds. Many im- provements were made and in 1926, for the first time in its history, the district was paying on a bank note of $630.00. That same year the PTA was organized with Mrs. Clark as president. In 1927 Miss Jeanette Dick joined the three-teacher faculty and is still teaching at Washington Irving - a valued and re- spected member of the staff.
About 1928 plans were instigated for building a new school on another site. Through the cooperation and work of the building committee, headed by Ed- win Fairbanks, Everett Kennell, the sole Trustee, and John Malloch, District Superintendent, the building was ready for occupancy in January, 1931. The name, Washington Irving, approved by the Dis- trict voters, gave distinction to the new school.
Washington Irving's first principal and who still serves in that capacity today, is Everett Chaffee. He was appointed in 1934 and has devoted his life to the welfare of the school and its pupils.
In 1946 the school classification was changed from a Common School District to a Union Free School and work was begun on an addition which to- day houses an auditorium-gymnasium, a kindergar- ten, eight classrooms, health rooms and a new office suite. This was completed in 1950. Washington Irv- ing is now part of the centralized school district.
This is how the interior of Gates No. 1 school looked about 1906. The two teachers are: Left, Miss Pierce, and Right, Miss Haltie Collins.
Pupils of grades one through eight are pictured beside Dictrici No. 1 Schoolhouse in 1901. See anyone you know? Miss Williamson and Miss Collins were the teachers.
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THE TOWN OF CATES
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AUG. 8-11 SESAMIEENTENNIAL
These Gates-Chili Junior-Senior High School students were the winners of the Sesquicentennial Poster Con- test. Prizes were awarded by the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee. Left to Right: Steve Shaw, Honorable mention; Michael Palma, Honorable Mention; Fred Palmeroni, Third prize; Sharon Morgan, First prize; Lynn Power, Second prize; John Sickles, Honorable mention; Cheryl Kearns, Honorable mention.
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WARREN HARDING SCHOOL
(Formerly District No. 11 and District No. 7)
It was in 1827 that the first legal school meeting was held in District No. 11. The people voted to build a school house, 18' x 24', not to exceed the cost of $150.00. The first Trustees were Matthias Garrett, Hilan Booth and Horace Graves. The first Collector was David Fichnor and the first Clerk, Calvin Sperry. The school was built on the same site where the present Harding School now stands.
In the year 1829 there was seven months school with $39.22 paid out in expenses; $36.50 for teachers' salaries, $2.50 for fire logs, 18c for a broom, leaving a balance on hand of 4c.
On October 9, 1835, the number of the district was changed to No. 7. A stove and 100 volumes of books were purchased.
By 1846 a new building was being considered. At a special meeting on August 15, it was voted unani- mously to build at a cost of $400.00 and to buy the land the district had used for 20 years for school purposes. The cost was $30.00. The new schoolhouse was to stand on land belonging to Calvin Sperry. It was built in the summer of 1847, and served the dis- trict until 1882, when, the old school was leveled and a new frame schoolhouse of the same dimensions was erected, at a total cost of $1,272.80.
In 1885 a gift of a point of land was given to the district by Mr. E. Patten on condition that the dis- trict would assume the cost of making the deed and straightening a fence on the property.
In the year 1906 Samuel J. Jackling was elected clerk and thus began a history of more than 40 years of service to Harding School in various capacities.
It had now been 34 years that the old brick building had served the District, which in the mean- time had been changed to District No. 7. At a meet- ing in May 1916, at which George Neracker was elected trustee, District Superintendent Malloch moved that the trustee be empowered to get plans and estimates for a new building and for an addition to the present building. This was done, and on July 16, 1916, it was voted to move the present building south to allow room for the new building at a cost of $5,000.00.
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