USA > New York > Wayne County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume I > Part 13
USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume I > Part 13
USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume I > Part 13
USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume I > Part 13
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This year a boys' department opens, the state having appro- priated $900,000 for the new buildings recently completed. The group of new buildings fits well into the general plan of the "campus." The institution is built in part on the cottage plan. The cottages are located around a quadrangle bordered by beau- tiful trees.
The superintendents who have directed Newark school's des- tinies are: Dr. Wilbur, appointed by trustees, 1885; C. C. War- ner, August, 1878,-April, 1886; W. L. Willett, April 1, 1886,- 1893; Chas. W. Winspear, July 5, 1893,-September, 1909; E. T. Dunn, October, 1909,-December 17, 1909; Ethan A. Nevin, M. D., December 17, 1909,-October 10, 1928; Mary C. Conant, M. D., October 10, 1928,-April 1, 1929; H. A. Steckel, M. D., April
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1, 1929,-October, 1930; Hugh S. Gregory, M. D., October, 1930,- February 1, 1931; Charles L. Vaux, M. D., February 1, 1931 -.
The physical development of the institution may be chrono- logically reviewed as follows: 1887-Building B opened; 1889 -Building C opened; 1890-Assembly hall, dining room, laun- dry and connecting corridors built; 1890-chauffeur's house pur- chased, infirmary (old hospital) built; 1895-Wilbur cottage opened; 1896-barn built; 1901-Cottage E opened; 1902- Cot- tage F opened; 1905-steward's house purchased; 1905-Cot- tage G opened; 1907-Cottages H and I opened; 1913-Fitch farm purchased; 1914-spring water pump house moved to boiler plant; 1914-Stebbins (employes) cottage built; 1916- Burnham cottage opened; 1916-hospital opened; 1919-name changed to Newark State School for Mental Defectives; 1920- Moss cottage opened; 1921-Ware house purchased; 1925-cold storage plant opened; 1927-became a part of the Department of Mental Hygiene and name changed to Newark State School; 1927-Price house and lot purchased; 1928-new laundry com- pleted; 1929-vegetable cellar completed; 1930-concrete walk constructed along Wilder property on Church Street; 1930- wire fence built along Marbletown Spring property; 1931-a concrete road leading from Union Street to the main entrance of the administration building was completed.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOME, BATH.
The Veterans Administration Home is located about one and a half miles west of the Town of Bath, Steuben County. It is situated in the Conhocton Valley which is about a half-mile wide, flanked by high hills on either side and intersected by the beau- tiful Conhocton River.
The Home grounds consist of about 376 acres of land, fifty- five acres of which are ornamental grounds. All the main build- ings are erected around the parade grounds which cover seven acres and are centered with a flag pole 110 feet in height. The grounds are laid out with many beautiful flower beds, fancy urns and ornamental shrubbery. There are numerous walks and drives bordered with stately shade trees. Many benches are
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placed about the grounds for the comfort of the members of the home and their visitors. On the hill, directly back of the Library Building, will be found a large picnic grove with plenty of tables and benches and a large spring house from which an abundant supply of pure sparkling water may be obtained. The cemetery of the Home covers twenty acres and here rest nearly 5,000 comrades who have answered their last call.
The origin of the Veterans Administration Home at Bath dates back to the year 1863. At that time, Governor Morgan and others procured the passage by the Legislature of an act to incorporate "The Soldiers Home." However, the Civil war was at its height at this time and there seemed to be no imme- diate need of such a home, so the matter was dropped.
A few years after the close of the Civil war, many of the dis- charged soldiers of the Union Army, by reason of disease and infirmities contracted in the war, unable to earn a living by manual labor, sought refuge in many of the county almshouses of this state. The Grand Army of the Republic of the Depart- ment of New York, feeling the injustice to their comrades, de- cied to establish a home for the soldiers and sailors of that war. Several futile attempts were made to found such a home and it was not until the year 1876 that an effective act was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Tilden.
An organization was at once perfected and all localities in the state desirous of offering inducements for the site of the Soldiers Home were requested to make their proposals to the constituted committee. Watkins, Penn Yan and Bath submitted proposals and after visiting the places named, the committee decided to locate the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home at Bath, the offer from the Bath people being the most desirable.
About the middle of April, 1877, ground was broken for the buildings and on June 13 of the same year, the corner stone of the first building was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The Home was opened for occupation December 25, 1878, at which time twenty-five members sat down to the first dinner. The membership of the Home increased very rapidly and from time to time new barracks and administrative buildings were erected.
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The apex of membership was reached on February 1, 1907, when there were 2,145 members present. The total membership at the Home for that year was 3,318 members.
Notwithstanding the revision by the Legislature of the act governing admissions to the Home to permit the entrance of Spanish-American and World war veterans, the membership gradually decreased until in 1928 there was a membership of only 192 men. The Home had now become a liability to the state instead of an asset. When the Home was used exclusively for Civil war veterans of New York State, it was the duty of the state to take care of them but when veterans of other wars were permitted to enter it was obviously the duty of the Federal Gov- ernment to assume their charge.
Due to the fact that the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home was a state institution, the United States could not in any way assume this responsibility. The state authorities developed the idea of turning the Home into an instituton for the care of its feeble minded in conjunction with the care of its veterans. This, however, did not meet with the approval of the patriotic and public spirited citizens of Bath and vicinity who immedately started negotiations to have the Home taken over by the Federal Government and made into a National Home.
In January, 1928, a move was started to federalize the Home and a bill was introduced at Albany to give the Federal Govern- ment complete control but it was thought best, however, to try the proposition of leasing it for ten years, which lease was ac- cepted by the Board of Managers of the National Home for Dis- abled Volunteer Soldiers.
On the first of May, 1929, the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home was turned over to the Federal Government under the above lease. As many of the buildings had not been used for a number of years and had deteriorated from non-use, it was necessary to make extensive repairs and replacements. The population of the Home increased from less than 200 to more than 600 members in the first four months of its operation under Federal control.
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Soon after this, in order to continue the repair program and increase facilities to take care of the growing membership, steps were taken to secure the necessary legislation for a permanent transfer. The state would not do this but did grant a forty-year extension to the lease thus placing the Home under Federal con- trol for fifty years. In the early spring of 1932, with all pre- vious objections removed, the state deeded the Home to the Fed- eral Government, fee simple.
In April, 1932, the Veterans Administration Home at Bath had a membership of 1,936 veterans, 387 of these were in the hospital the staff of which is composed of nine doctors, two den- tists and twenty-six nurses. The officers of the Home are: Col. Robert A. Brigham, manager; Maj. James A. Barker, chief sur- geon; Maj. Varian B. Kincaid, accountant; Capt. George J. Col- lins, adjutant; Capt. Emil Carretto, utility officer; Capt. Frank J. Carey, acting commissary of subsistence; Capt. Lyman H. Balcom, disbursing agent; Capt. Newton G. Ehle, supply officer.
STATE SANATORIUM.
One of three new state tuberculosis sanatoriums will be erected on the Trumansburg highway near Ithaca, Tompkins County, work already having started. Originally the Legisla- ture appropriated $750,000 for the construction work and early in 1932 an additional grant of $325,000 was made, the bill being signed by Governor Roosevelt. This brings total appropriations for the institution up to $1,075,000.
CHAPTER XIII
CONSERVATION.
GAME REFUGES: CONNECTICUT HILL, ERWIN SANCTUARY AND HOWLAND'S ISLAND-REFORESTATION ON A BIG SCALE-REGIONAL FISH SURVEY-TREE NURSERIES AT HORSEHEADS AND PAINTED POST-ITHACA GAME FARM- BATH FISH HATCHERY AND NEWARK VALLEY DISTRIBUTING STATION.
Few regions in the state are today giving greater attention to fish and game conservation, as well as reforestation, than is the Central New York area. Liberal cooperation on the part of the State Conservation Commission is steadily improving the wild life resources of the district and the cooperaton of sports- men's clubs is aiding in protection of both fish and game.
The Finger Lakes Association, regional civic body, has set out upon a program for securing a state game refuge for every county in the area. Three have already been established. Others are contemplated.
The first step in a broad reforestation program for the area came in 1931, when at the November election the voters of the state overwhelmingly carried the proposition of authorizing the acquisition by the state of lands outside the Adirondack and Catskill preserves for reforestation and providing an annual ap- propriation for eleven years for the purpose. The expenditure involved was $20,000,000 over the eleven year period. It was estimated that one fifth of the total amount would be spent in the Central New York area.
Those who fought for the reforestation plan see in the upland acres of old farms given over to the growing of trees this vision :
A return of the natural forest reservoirs, which by the roots and humus catch and hold the seasonal rains to dole them out in even, regulated flow to the river valleys for municipal water
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supply, canals, and the steady, constant rush of power through hydroelectric developments.
A timber supply, replenished as each crop is cut, to provide a perpetual source.
An exodus of a population, from unproductive farms keeping it in poverty to "good soil" or remunerative jobs.
A "crop" of game, which in years to come might, like Euro- pean instances, furnish an appreciable factor in the state's food supply.
Connecticut Hill Forest and Game Refuge, embracing more than 4,000 acres in Tompkins and Schuyler counties, is one of the finest game sanctuaries in Central New York. As early as 1928 there were 3,765 acres contracted for from forty-seven owners, the total contract price being $32,769, or an average of $8.71 an acre. By 1930, the state had actually purchased 2,989.92 acres. Since then title to other acres has been acquired by the state. One of the old houses on the tract was put into shape as a home for a caretaker. Hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted in the open sections, to add to the fine stands of timber already full grown. A careful study of the grouse is being made on Connecticut Hill by the division of fish and game of the commission.
In Steuben County in 1930 four contracts aggregating 2,343.75 acres located in the town of Erwin were executed for the Erwin Forest and Game Refuge. Since then actual pur- chase has been consummated and here,too, wild life is being pro- tected and propagated.
The latest game refuge of the area and what promises to be one of the finest is that at Howland's Island, in Seneca River, a tract embracing more than 3,000 acres and nine and a half miles in length. This is in process of development. The island derives its name from Humphrey Howland, who acquired title to it by buying soldiers' script for nominal sums. He took pos- session about 1823-24. Previously it was known as Walnut or Hickory Island, and was occupied and improved by families of squatters, who built houses and a school, supposing no one owned the island. On Howland's death his son, Penn Howland, came
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into possession and the property, with hundreds of thousands of dollars was squandered by improvidence and mismanagement. The property was sold on mortgage in 1855 to Penn's bonds- man, who leased it to S. B. Fyler, who in turn developed it, built drains, houses and fences, imported herds of cattle and made other extensive improvement. Since then it has passed through successive hands, finally being purchased by the state after the land was all but abandoned by tenants. Today numerous deer brouse on a tract which once was covered with prosperous farms.
The island lies lengthwise across the river. The south por- tion consists of eight hills which spread out into inclined plains. Four are eighty feet high, three 100 feet and the eighth 112 feet. The remainder of the island consists of four ridges or table lands, converging into a little plain at the northern end. The hillsides are studded with boulders to a height of forty-two feet but above that no large stones are found. The soil is sandy and gravely loam, differing entirely from that of the surrounding mainland which is a stiff clay loam.
Exactly in the center of the island is a circular basin cover- ing fifty acres and lying about six feet above the river bottom. From the higher parts of the tract issue about a dozen springs.
There are two tree nurseries operated by the State Conserva- tion Commission in the area, one at Horseheads and the other at Painted Post. Under provisions of the laws of 1920, there was acquired in 1929 an area of 80.38 acres located a few miles west of Painted Post on the road to Hornell, for a nursery site. The following year development had progressed so far that the Painted Post nursery turned 8,507,000 one year seedlings; 1,355,000 three year transplants and 166,000 four year trans- plants or a total of 10,028,000 trees.
In 1928 the state appropriated $20,000 to buy 84.88 acres for another nursery near Horseheads. In 1929 this nursery turned out 5,191,000 trees, including 2,395,000 one year seed- lings, and 2,796,000 three year transplants. By 1930 the Horse- heads nursery had increased its output to 9,691,000 trees, includ- ing 4,756,000 one year seedlings, 2,138,000 two year seedlings,
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1,673,000 three year transplants and 1,124,000 four year trans- plants.
The state also operates a fish hatchery at Bath and a fish distribution station at Newark Valley, Tioga County. In 1928 the Bath hatchery distributed 1,497,097 fish, in 1929 a total of 1,723,611 fish and in 1930, a total of 827,831 fish. From New- ark Valley the 1928 distribution was 87,325, that in 1929 was 63,939 and that in 1930 was 100,345. Bath turns out brown, rainbow and brook trout and Newark Valley brook trout.
The state licenses nets in Great Sodus Bay, Wayne County on Lake Ontario, and Little Sodus Bay, Cayuga County, also on Ontario. During the 1929 season from November 1 to De- cember 3, on Great Sodus licensed netters hauled in 62,427 pounds of carp, ciscoes, eels, suckers and dogfish, which brought $5,146.45 in market or an average of 8.3 cents a pound.
In Little Sodus for the same period 2,559 pounds of fish were taken with a value of $302.94.
One of the state's four game farms is at Ithaca. In 1930, only three years after the farm opened, it produced 42,990 pheas- ant eggs for distribution to those who desired to incubate them and rear chicks to liberating age. In addition it distributed 3,030 young pheasant. Besides raising birds, the farm grows timothy, clover, buckwheat, wheat, sweet corn and garden truck, supply- ing food for the pheasants and the sort of shelter to which they will have to accustom themselves when liberated. On the farm is a straight blood line on the female line for twenty-one years, only highly selected males being introduced for new blood.
Throughout Central New York the state is now liberating Hungarian partridge, purchased in Czecho Slovakia, on which there is no open season. It is expected that this hardy bird in a few years will become established. The first Hungarians in- troduced in the state came in 1925.
One of the greatest steps ever taken toward fish conserva- tion in Central New York came when, under the direction of the State Conservation Commission, a survey was made of the Owasco watershed in 1927, so as to form the basis for future stocking, regulation, etc. An area of 5,002 square miles was
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covered in this study, embracing in part twelve counties, includ- ing all the Finger Lakes and tributaries and outlets. The survey, made at the instance of the Finger Lakes Association, covered the largest watershed in the state, excepting that of the Hudson River. It cost upwards of $65,000, and was made for the most part between June 15 and September 15, 1927.
The study revealed 100 species of fish representing twenty- four families. Of these forty-three were of the food and game variety. The experts examined 2,500 fish stomachs and of these 1,736 contained food and were carefully analyzed. Fish plant- ings from state hatcheries alone, excepting federal hatcheries, showed the following number of fish placed in the Finger Lakes during the period from 1917 to 1926: Canandaigua, 18,669,750; Keuka, 2,197,450; Seneca, 5,732,675; Cayuga, 23,495,940; Owasco, 18,364,500; Skaneateles, 5,456,665. In the streams of the region, 22,724,878 fish were placed.
CHAPTER XIV
PARKS AND RECREATION
TEN STATE PRESERVES IN REGION, UNDER FINGER LAKES COMMISSION- ITHACA'S MUNICIPAL PARK ONCE MOVING PICTURE CENTER-PRIVATELY OWNED AMUSEMENT PARKS-COMMUNITY PARKS AND THEIR PART IN HISTORY-YATCHING-ORGANIZED BASEBALL.
Where tumbling waters play and towering granite rocks have stood guard for ages, the Empire State has created ten state parks in the Central New York area of eleven counties, covering in their wild scenic beauty nearly 5,000 acres. Upon these parks the state has spent nearly two and a half million dollars in the last eight years. The parks employ more than 200 men in sum- mer and have attracted as many as 75,000 visitors a day. All that nature can give of beauty, grandeur, inspiration are here in these public playgrounds. Along the winding ravines are trees that were old when the white man came.
Canyons, waterfalls, long sandy beaches, virgin forests, in- triguing trails to lookout points that brush the clouds-all these are in the parks where one enters the domain of wild creatures in the fragrance of unfamiliar flowers and the music of laughing waters. At each of these preserves are a superintendent and caretakers. Among the facilities are trails, picnic tables, fire- places, camp sites, tents, comfort stations, parking spaces, etc.
State park development in Central New York was accelerated through efforts of the Finger Lakes Association, known as the "father" of the Finger Lakes State Parks Commission. The State Legislature, in 1924, passed a law which was signed by Governor Alfred E. Smith, creating the Finger Lakes State Parks Commission, giving it control over state parks in Wayne, Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, Tompkins, Steuben, Chemung and Tioga Counties.
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On the Finger Lakes Commission, Governor Smith named Robert H. Treman, Ithaca, as chairman; William M. Leffingwell, Watkins Glen, vice chairman; Henry O. Palmer, Geneva, treas- urer; Frank E. Gannett, Rochester; Murray Hulbert, New York; John B. Macreery, Watkins Glen; Dr. Charles Atwood, Moravia. Dr. A. W. Booth, of Elmira, and Eugene C. Donovan, of Auburn, filled the vacancies, caused by the death of Doctor Atwood and Mr. Macreery, respectively, and with that change the commission remains the same today.
BUTTERMILK FALLS STATE PARK.
With ten waterfalls and two gorges, Buttermilk Falls State Park, two miles south of Ithaca on the highway to Elmira, con- tains 505 acres, of which 164 were given the state in 1924 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman. In a distance of a mile through the park, Buttermilk Creek falls more than 500 feet in a series of waterfalls, cascades and rapids. Among the interesting for- mations are Narrow Gorge and Long Cascade. Pinnacle Rock rises about forty feet as a massive column above a waterfall. A thirty-six-foot dam in the upper park area has been constructed, the water empounded by it forming Lake Treman, which con- tains 65,000,000 gallons of water, covers twenty acres and is a half-mile long. During 1928, two years before the lake was cre- ated, two stone buildings were constructed, one as a women's bath house and toilet and the other for men. Near the upper entrance a concrete bridge was built and nearby picnic and toilet facilities were arranged. There is a large swimming pool below the lower falls. Lookout points along the trails afford inspiring views of Cayuga Lake and valley.
CAYUGA LAKE STATE PARK
On the ancient Iroquois trail across the state, Cayuga Lake State Park, three miles east of Seneca Falls, is cloaked with the romance of Indian tradition. Just 200 feet north of the park was the western end of an Indian ferry, as well as the end of the first white man's ferry which sparned any of the Finger Lakes.
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Just south of the park is the reputed birthplace of Red Jacket. During 1928 the state acquired 126 acres of a recreational area which today embraces 235 acres. Much of the land was given to the state by Cyrus Garnsey, Jr., of Seneca Falls. This year will see the completion of a Swiss chalet pavilion on the site of an old one. The beach is also being improved for swimming and a boar harbor provided. An athletic field with baseball diamond is also available. The new Cayuga Lake state highway runs through the upper park area and the whole preserve is adjacent to Route 5 and 20, main trans-state highway. The preserve was formally dedicated with elaborate exercises August 24, 1932.
ENFIELD GLEN STATE PARK.
Enfield Glen, largest of the Finger Lakes state parks, com- prises 767 acres, given originally to the state in 1920 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman. The great gorge stretches westward from the Ithaca-Elmira highway for two and a half miles into the hillside. Enfield's fascination lies in its great depths, vast heights, tumbling torrents and soaring craigs. Moving picture companies have used the gorge as a setting for "western" and "Alaskan" cinema productions. The highest span of leaping waters is Lucifer Falls, 115 feet high. Along the winding course of Enfield Creek are eleven others from fifteen to fifty feet high. An old mill in the park is a century old. It has been restored to its original condition and is being preserved with its old time three sets of grinding stones, wooden gears with builtup teeth, wooden conveying paddles, etc., as a museum for old agricultural machinery. It also serves as a shelter pavilion and comfort sta- tion. The mill was completely framed without nails, oak pins being used exclusively. The main floor beams are fourteen inches square, thirty-six feet long and were hewn out of a single log. A children's playground is near the upper entrance, where a fine concession building is erected. Erection of a dam at the lower entrance created a big swimming pool. Here a combined shelter pavilion and bathhouse has been constructed.
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FAIR HAVEN BEACH STATE PARK.
The finest bathing beach on Lake Ontario and the highest bluffs on the American shore are two of the contrasting attrac- tions of Fair Haven Beach State Park on Lake Ontario. The park, covering 388 acres, embraces woodland, marsh, promon- tory and beach. In 1931 a fine bathhouse, with dressing rooms, lockers, shower baths, toilets, etc., was opened. The park has a boat livery, and a few one-room cabins. Every picnic facility is provided.
FILLMORE GLEN STATE PARK.
Fillmore Glen State Park, opened in 1926, covers 497 acres east from the main highway a mile south of Moravia. It is named after Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President, who was born in a cabin home near its upper reaches. Down the glen Fall Creek has cut its way through three miles of limestone and shale, creating five waterfalls and many unique formations, in- cluding the "Cow Shed." Fillmore has a headquarters building, a large shelter and dining room, kitchen and office, built in 1928, bridges, a children's playground, a new water system, and two small dams, one to form a swimming pool and the other a wading pool for children.
NEWTOWN BATTLEFIELD RESERVATION.
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