USA > New York > Schuyler County > Schuyler County, N.Y., the first hundred years, 1854-1954 > Part 4
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One of the most striking changes in the past 56 years has been the growth of summer homes and colonies. In 1890 practically no lakeside cottages existed. Ninety percent of them have been built in 30 years until in Tyrone Township for example, the lakeside summer population more than doubles the winter population. Hotels have decreased in number. In their place are cabins and motels enough to ac- commodate some 1,000 tourists per night.
In the past decade we have seen still further growth in number of cars for pleasure, and introduc- tion of television with astounding speed. We have had road racing in the Annual Grand Prix events at Watkins Glen, a National Archery Meet held at the State Park, great increase in youth camping and youth commission programs for village recreation under local and state aid, and a crowd of fishermen each spring on Catharine Creek.
Square dances and good polkas are now the best- liked dances in 1954. Round dancing currently is out of favor.
YOUR
SCHUYLER COUNTY
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Arnold Funeral Home Established 1900 AMBULANCE SERVICE Phone 31-F-1 or 31-F-14 BURDETT
Brown Funeral Home AMBULANCE SERVICE Phone 133 or 301
114 Eighth St. Watkins Glen, N. Y.
Haughey Funeral Home
ALBERT P. HAUGHEY
119 Fifth St. Phone 171 Watkins Glen
Horton Funeral Chapel R. D. HORTON AMBULANCE SERVICE Phone 33M Odessa, New York
Royce Funeral Home
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Phone 215 - 29 - 235 Watkins Glen, N. Y.
Sproul Funeral Home
WALTER C. SPROUL
300 E. Fourth St. Phone 111 Watkins Glen
Vedder and Scott Funeral Home
Modern Air Conditioned Home - Ambulance Service Phone 3211 or 4411
122 N. Genesee Montour Falls, N. Y.
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WATKINS SALT COMPI
The Watkins Salt Company Administration Building shown in this picture. Located on the South Shore of Seneca Lake and in the East part of the beautiful Com- munity of Watkins Glen, N. Y.
For Good Health
For Improved Taste For Better Living
USE WATKINS BRAND SALT
For More Than 56 years we have produced
THE SALT WITH THE WHOLE NATURAL UNBROKEN CRYSTAL
REMEMBER THERE IS "NO BETTER SALT AT ANY PRICE"
THE WATKINS SALT COMPANY, Inc.
Organized 1898
Watkins Glen, New York
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الشبكة مليم
لاتوايوه - أبوظ بيخدا
٠٠٠٨
٦٦٠ ٠١٠١٠
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HAVANA GLEN has early spring visitors at its pools to catch trout. Later picnics and swimming parties and a summer playground program keep the Glen a very lively place. This Glen is village-owned and has one of the best equipped playgrounds in the county.
-Symes Studio
"RAINBOW FALLS" by James Hope, noted and talented artist of Watkins. A native of Scotland, he came when a boy to Canada with his father, having lost his mother. They walked to Vermont. There while apprenticing to a wheelwright, he was injured and bedridden for some time. While thus handicapped he tried painting-first a self portrait which had such merit he soon received orders for portraits. Then he shifted to landscapes. During the Civil War he visited the battlegrounds and painted battle scenes which were commended by military officials. He came to Watkins in 1870, drawn by the hills and glens he could portray. He erected a home and studio in the Glen at Watkins. His paintings were given places of honor at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. Most of his painting was done out of doors rather than in a studio. This picture is now in the Hope Studio at Watkins Glen. A faint line across the painting at the base of the falls marks high water line during the 1935 flood. ---- Photo by Tony Ferry
Capi. PALMER'S LAKE RIDE
SEVEN BOATS AND 45 YEARS OF PLEASURE FOR ALL SCHUYLER RESIDENTS
THANK YOU
CALL AGAIN
HENDERSONS JEWELERS
DIAMONDS - WATCHES - SILVER WATKINS GLEN, N. Y.
SENECA VARIETY STORE
WATKINS GLEN
D. C. MILLER GROCERIES AND MEATS PHONE 206
417 N. Franklin St. Watkins Glen
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WATKINS GLEN'S MOST FAMOUS DEER
Driven by dogs to a ledge near the entrance of the Glen and trapped there by fright. Viewed by thousands of visitors who learned of its plight through a news story by Arthur Richards. Remained there for 12 days, from August 26 to September 8, 1933, and during that time is said to have brought to the Park nearly as many visitors as attended the New York State Fair.
---- Picture by George Kellogg, from Montour Falls Library
WATKINS GLEN CENTRAL SCHOOL'S THREE BANDS train over 100 students annually. Here Raymond Bailey, their conductor, leads the Senior Band in the Centennial Parade. Odessa Central School's Band also played a stirring part in the parade. Our county folk get to know the thrill of playing in groups at an early age these days.
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E
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WATKINS GLEN in winter becomes a fascinating exhibit of ice sculpture. Icicles 50 feet long hang from the cliffs.
-Symes Studio
FE
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1
Steve Matwiejow and Leon DeCamp of Weston with old time harvesting tools represent the Grange and Farm Bureau, leading the farm section of the Centennial Parade.
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HIDDEN VALLEY
In this White's Hollow section of Watkins Glen State Park an Indian settlement once stood. During the depression of the thirties, one of four county Civilian Conservation Corps camps was built here. They picked up after the flood of '35 and put in many park and forest improvements. Now over 1,000 young people camp in Hidden Valley 4-H Camp each summer. The hill on the right horizon is Schuyler's highest (2080 ft), and has a fire observation tower to protect county woodland.
-- Symes aerophoto
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BEAVER DAMS SCHOOL, one of the relatively few two-room school houses still open. As a one-room school it has registered as high as 71 pupils in a year- with the older ones attending in winter months, the younger people in warmer months when strong farm hands were needed. Aprons were common school attire for girls in the early 20th century.
-Photo from Mrs. Leon Hall
-
THE EUREKA BASEBALL CLUB at Havana in their snappy uniforms pose before a contest. Our national game was played in pastures or school grounds and was very popular. This picture was taken not long after the Civil War. Now "small fry", twilight and girls' teams are active in most sizeable villages. World Series days are nearly national holidays with every radio and television tuned to the "World Series" stations.
-Montour Library collection
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BURDETT VILLAGE looking north. Just around the bend to the right was the mill pond. Village stores with their boxes to sit on, railing for adequate hitch-up, stone paving for pedestrians to keep out of the road mire and a boy with a bicycle probably down after the mail. In this village stands the Presbyterian Church with a church bell dating to 1788. This bell traveled from Malagna, Spain to New York City, up the Hudson River, through the Erie Canal and down Seneca Lake to Glen Eldridge, thence by ox team to this street to be rung on July 4, 1838.
HUGHEY BOOT SHOP
WATKINS GLEN, N. Y.
SERVING THE LAKE REGION FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS WITH NATIONALLY KNOWN SHOES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
46 Years
of Serving Schuyler County with the finest in furniture and home furnishings
FUNERAL SERVICE AND AMBULANCE
ELMO M. ROYCE
Phone 215 - 29 - 235
305 N. Franklin St.
Watkins Glen, N. Y.
THE WICKHAMS' BOTANICAL GARDENS, AND RESEARCH
Beautiful Flowering Plants from the Four Corners of the World. All in a Natural Wooded Setting.
You are always welcome at THE WICKHAMS'
GRACE AND LEE ESTABLISHED 1925
ROUTE 224 ODESSA, N. Y.
WARREN'S HARDWARE NELSON WARREN, Prop. WALLPAPER B. P. S. PAINTS BIRD ROOFING
PHONE 26-F-13 BURDETT
Compliments of WATKINS GLEN TRANSIT CORP. AND ROBBINS CHARTER SERVICE WILLIAM ROBBINS BURDETT, N. Y.
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VALOIS CASTLE built at North Hector in the late 19th century by a wealthy === Count Valois, of French origin. He had it furnished with imported items from French :nya households. This show place later became a public hotel and is now burned. North Hems- was renamed Valois in his memory.
+Picture from Glen Mickel
HOTEL VILLA, NORTH HECTOR. Shore hotels preceded summer cottages in popularity. Steamers and trains brought hundreds to such spots. The early Fords chugged up the steep hill to the village churches and stores on the Lake Road. This still stands as a private residence.
-Photo from Glen Mickel
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GEO. E. HOARE & CO.
Cemetery Memorials of Every Description
Serving Southern New York -for 65 years --
106 N. Franklin St. Watkins Glen
DON J. WICKHAM
DISTRIBUTOR FOR
SOCONY-VACUUM PRODUCTS
Hector, N. Y.
BEARDSLEY & FORBES
HOME OWNED
AUTO PARTS SINCE 1917
22 N. FRANKLIN
PHONE 183
WATKINS GLEN
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..
1
GOING TO CHURCH IN 1885
The Howells' surrey and team in Centennial Parade was driven by Sebring Howell with Mrs. Ruth Caywood, Rhoda, Mary and Nancy Howell as the family. It took three hours to drive from Tyrone to Watkins Glen on Centennial Day.
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CHEQUAGA FALLS, MONTOUR FALLS
Sketched and photographed since Louis Philippe of France. visited them in 1797, are of rare beauty, tumbling 156 feet almost into the main village street.
Red Jacket, the Seneca Indian orator, prac- ticed his war whoops against their "roaring waters", the Indian term being Sheoquagah. The bridge is a fine example of the skill and artistry of Montour's Seneca Engineering Co.
-Photo, Symes Studio
ODESSA CO-OPERATIVE G. L. F. SERVICE
FEED - SEED - FERTILIZER FARM SUPPLIES
PHONE ODESSA 32
KELLY & SON
ESTABLISHED 1933
"THE STORE THAT HAS EVERYTHING" BEN FRANKLIN STORE WATKINS GLEN
RAPALEE MOTOR COMPANY RELIABLE CAR DEALERS SINCE 1918 WATKINS GLEN
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MF
SPEED COMES TO WATKINS GLEN
The Grand Prix auto races brought such crowds, the races had to be taken up in the country to find room for them. These road races were started in 1948 and for five years were run up the Townsend Road, through White's Hollow and back around the Clute homestead to the court house-6 miles and better at an average of better than 70 miles per hour. The course is now on the Town of Dix highways especially prepared for the purpose.
-William Kelly collection
"ALWAYS A FRIENDLY WELCOME"
DESARNO'S LIQUOR STORE BILL AND NORMA PHONE 430
STONE'S @ CHILDREN'S SHOP
GREEN STAR GIFT SHOP WATKINS GLEN
WATKINS GLEN NEWS ROOM SERVING SCHUYLER COUNTY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS L. C. IRISH & SON
GLEN APPLIANCE "YOUR FOURTH STREET APPLIANCE STORE" HOWARD DAVIS, PROPRIETOR WATKINS GLEN
SENECA GIVES UP TO OLD MAN WINTER
Occasionally, as in 1912. when the mercury registered 32° below in Odessa this thing happens. Usually the depth and volume keeps the lake cold but unfrozen. The long skirts must have been some sails for the lady skaters!
-- Photo, William Kelly
WOODWARD HARDWARE
-
A Name Synonymous With Hardware Business For Over 30 Years
"The Milky Way is the Way to Health"
-
GLENFIELD DAIRY Phone 228
End of N. Jackson Street Watkins Glen
ISLEY'S BAND at Watkins had been playing for several years when this picture was taken at the turn of the century.
STANDING, I to r: Arthur Peck, Mike Ryan, Dyke Weaver, Walt Isley, John Vincent, Charles Saterlee, Louis Peck.
MIDDLE Row, I to r: Capt. Harding. Arthur Pangborn, Lionel Saterlee, Byron Boodle, Gar- rett Johnson, Ray Saterlee, Edward Chase.
FRONT Row, 1 to r: Burr Hendrickson, William Gates, George Thompson, Howard Peck, Lewis Haight.
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THE TOTEM POLE-ARNOT FOREST CAMP, CAYUTA
This pole, brought from British Columbia in 1898, has seen Cornell Campus, Civilian Conservation Corps, German Prisoners of War. Professor Fernow brought it to New York. Here at Arnot are trained boys and teachers in conservation, forestry and wildlife management each summer. This forest land is owned by Cornell University.
-- Photo by State Conservation Camp, Cornell University
A LESS FAMOUS DEER. Ira Lafever of Beaver Dams on his rural mail route found this newly-born fawn near the roadside, and taking his trusty camera (he has three), got the picture. The roadsides and hills of Schuyler County are a nature lover's and sportsman's paradise. Being a rural mail carrier is an excellent way to see the countryside in all weather.
1
THE KINGSBURY HOME Corner 7th & Franklin Sts., Watkins
A fine old home in the prosperous years when large homes were fashion- able. Miss Ella Kingsbury was its last occupant. The house was torn down and is now the site of Schuyler Motor Co. Similar fences still linger on in the community, as seen around Dr. J. Y. Roberts' home on Seventh street.
-Photo, Mae Stamp
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den :
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THE MAGEE MANSION, WATKINS GLEN
Here was the 19th century architecture and wealth. Inlaid ceilings were installed by workers imported from the Orient. Bath tubs were nearly large enough to swim in. A spiral steel slide fire escape was a unique attraction later enjoyed by many who came to the Magee Manor Youth Hostel, one of the finest in the Northeast. Now the home is cut up into apartments. The carriage house is a creamery. The Magees were coal and railroad men and leaders in starting the industrial revolution in this area. Deeply religious, they built and endowed the Presbyterian Church of Watkins Glen and left several thousand dollars to the American Bible Society. They also contributed to other groups, including the Catholic Church for its building fund.
-Photo, Kelly collection
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POLITICAL HISTORY
Schuyler County has been fortunate in having county officials who were thoughtful, courageous and active.
The first elected officials following erection of the county in 1854 were:
SUPERVISORS
Phineas Catlin-Catharine
Leroy Wood-Cayuta W. E. Booth-Dix, Chairman
Henry Fish-Hector
A. S. Newcomb-Orange
Edwin C. Andrews-Reading George Clark-Tyrone H. M. Hillerman, Clerk
OTHER OFFICIALS
John J. Taylor-Representative 27th District Alexander Diven-Senator 27th District
Henry Fish-State Assemblyman (1858)
Simeon Rood-County Judge
Algernon S. Newcomb-County Clerk John J. Swartwood-Sheriff
Charles J. Broas-Treasurer
Lewis T. Riggs-District Attorney
School Commissioners 1859-William Gulick, Cyrus Roberts, Daniel Beach, Charles Winfield, Laur- en Thomas, James H. Pope, Duncan Mand, Charles Andrews.
One hundred years later in 1954 county officials are:
Irving Ives-U. S. Senator
Sterling Cole-Representative
Rev. Dutton S. Peterson-State Senator
Jerry Black-Assemblyman
E. C. Barkman-Judge
Mrs. Adlyn S. George -- Clerk (acting)
Dana T. Burt-Sheriff, Morris Burt, Deputy
C. Earle Hager-Treasurer, Belle Edwards, Dep. Liston Coon-District Attorney
Marjorie Hull-Public Health Nurse
Irving D. Goodrich-Superintendent of Schools
Ernest Porter-Highway Superintendent, Carl Roberts, Deputy
Stewart J. Coats-Veteran's Service Director, Commissioner of Public Welfare
Gertrude R. Symes -- Probation Officer
Irving Davis-Agricultural Agent, David New- ton, Assistant
Carol Connelly-Home Demonstration Agent
Carl B. Garey-4-H Club Agent
William F. Isley, Kathleen H. Golding, Nellie Love, Board of Elections
SUPERVISORS
Catharine-Joseph J. Hoffman, Chairman
Cayuta-Franklin Eaton
Dix-Jay D. Turner
Hector-Nelson Warren
Montour-James M. Eddy
Orange-Lloyd V. Webb
Reading-Harry C. Klube Tyrone --- Floyd Haff Clerk -- Wilbur D. Blades In 1856 party vote cast as follows: Republican 2,342, Democratic 918, American 461.
In 1876, 2,860 Republican, 2254 Democratic, 132 Temperance.
POPULATION & JOBS
Farm population trends make one wonder what's ahead. It's an exciting age in which to live!
CHANGES IN DECADE 1940-50 -
SCHUYLER COUNTY
Urban county population increased 4.8%
Rural county population increased 10.6%
Rural non-farm population increased 36.2%
Rural farm population decreased 11.5% (622 individuals ).
Many folks working in urban areas now dwell in rural Schuyler County. Fewer farm hands can turn out more food on our farms.
POPULATION SCHUYLER COUNTY
1850 -- 16,181
1880-18,842 Horse powered & transported farming plus canal and railroad.
1890-16,711 Farm machinery introduced. Italian Immigrants to county.
1900-15,811
1910-14,004 Gasoline powered machinery introduc- ed.
1920-13,098
1930-12,909 Depression, unemployment.
1940-12,979
1950-14,182 Increase 9.3% in decade.
Township population trends 1900-1950 (From W. A. Anderson, Cornell University).
1845
1900
1940
1950
Catharine
2611
1836
1284
1399
9
0.9
Cayuta
1001
459
311
459
47.6
0.0
Dix
2335
3894
3739
3871
3.5
- 0.6
Hector
5904
4137
2949
3129
6.1
-24.4
Montour, see Cath. 1623
1774
1985
11.9
22.3
Orange
1756
1391
693
890
28.4
-- 36.0
Reading
1555
1335
1205
1373
13.9
2.8
Tyrone
2165
1586
1024
1076
5.1
-32.2
Increase 1940-50
% change 1900-50
Our present judge, Hon. E. C. Barkman recollects that in the days before blacktop and autos, folks from his home town area, Monterey, had to start on Sunday to get ballots from Watkins for use the following Tuesday election. Snow and mud slowed things down to a walk at times.
Women did not seem over-anxious and still are a bit slow to grasp their newly granted privilege of voting. In general the interest in local and state government has always been keen, however, with the women perhaps using their influence thru the .. husbands' representation.
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THE 1945 SNOWFALL was one of the most persistent in years. The mail must go through, however; also milk must get to market. This is in the town of Dix, but roads every- where looked like this.
-Photo from Ira Lafever
NATURE'S FURY AT MONTOUR FALLS where beautiful Chequaga, running at flood in 1935. sent muddy rivers through the village. Flood con- trol measures, costing $2,123,000., completed i= 1952, are designed to control such damage. -Photo from Montour Library
THE GLEN PARK HOTEL was one of Watkins' finest in its day. It stood on Franklin Street just north of Durland Place. Note the inserts of lake steamer and the Magnetic and Sulphur Spring Grounds. The hotel was taken down and used for homes in the early part of the 20th century when automo- biles and medicine had made the resident cure hotels out- moded to a large degree. -A. W. Woodward collection
٢٠٠٠
DEN PARK HOTEL THE
TOURISTS HOME.
Rates, $2.00,
THE '35 FLOOD
Fourteen inches of rainfall has to go somewhere and when the New York Central Railroad bridge gave way under the pressure of a log jam, that water went down Franklin St., Watkins Glen. This midsummer out- pouring cost the county citizens $3,270,380 .- a loss of $253. per county man, woman and child.
-Woodward Studio, William Kelly collection .
SOME HIGHLIGHTS - YEAR BY YEAR
1854 Schyuler County erected Watkins Republican (now Express) started
1855 County buildings erected at Havana
1856 Odd Fellows started at Watkins
1857 April 20-snow 4 ft. deep
May 23-Seneca Lake slightly frozen over
1858 Young America Fire Co. started in Havana Stages to Ithaca from Havana cost $1.00
1859 Fall Brook Coal Co. started by John Magee 1860 Watkins Academy founded Catharine Mutual Protection Society started
1861 Charles Cook sent his Guard to war George Freer married Dr. Watkins' widow
1862 Susan Anthony spoke in county
1863 Ells opened Glen at Watkins to public Charles Cook started a cheese farm
1864 Schuyler County Bank started Watkins Union School began Cook Academy opened
1865 Lincoln assassinated Cornell University started Gas & oil struck in Tyrone
1866 Eureka Baseball Club organized
1867 County seat went to Watkins
1868 Masonic picnic opened McClure's (Havana) Glen with 5,000 attending Presbyterian Church at Watkins built by John Magee Charles Cook died
1869 Gas lighting begun in Watkins
1870 James Hope started painting in Glen Watkins library started
1871 Magee trout ponds opened on Mecklenburg Rd.
1872 Watkins Board of Health started
1873 Highland and Schuyler Granges started Schuyler County Teachers' Association begun
1874 Reading and Olive Branch Granges formed 1875 N. Hector Grange begun 54 churches listed in county Magnetic Spring House opened
1876 Fall Brook Railroad (now NYC) built through county Temperance Societies continued strong
1877 County building accounts straightened out
1878 Chemung Canal stopped operations
1879 Brigham Young preached here 131 school districts in county
1880 Big houses being built
1881 Height of county population reported (18,842)
1882 Watkins Oil Well Company struck mineral water and salt over an old Indian spring Standard time replaced 58 kinds used by railroad
1883 Cronk & Carrier making screwdrivers, rakes. hoes, hiring 71 people
1884 Odessa got telephones
1885 Searsburg Grange started
1886 Gold mined in Monterey
1887 Dime novels very popular
1888 Large wildcat chased and killed in Montour
1889 Glen Springs Sanitarium started
1890 13,000 at work on (Lehigh) Railroad Cayuta. Odessa. Italian colony began
1891 Watkins waterworks begun
1892 Private cottages erected on lakes
1893 Pomona Grange started Glen Salt Company produced first salt (now International )
1894 39 physicians, 10 stenographers, 13 milliners in county
1895 Havana became Montour Falls
1896 Arthur E. Valois building and decorating at N. Hector
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1897 Wm. Mckinley's election very spirited 1898 Watkins Salt Company founded 1899 Couch's Odessa Bank started 1900 Trolley to Elmira started
1901 Teddy Roosevelt's Big Stick begins swinging 1902 Glen route trolleys heated with hot water
1903 Shepard-Niles began as Pneumatic Tool
1904 Steam powered autos in county Seneca Engineering Company started Montour library started
1905 Municipal electric plant begun in Watkins
1906 Watkins Glen became State reservation Waneta Grange begun Odessa school "raised"
1907 RFD carriers got salary increased to $9.00 for 6 day week
1908 Early gasoline autos appeared
1909 Boats took 3 hours, 10 minutes to Geneva via Willard
1910 Jane Delano working hard to form Nursing Service Townsend Grange organized
1911 Odessa Band of 50 pieces organized
1912 Moving pictures came to Odessa Street paving started in village Seneca Lake froze over
1914 Mecklenburg & Cayuta Granges started
1915 Kayutah Lake Grange started Tobehanna Creek changed to flow to Keuka
1916 Kerosene changed to electric on Odessa streets 1917 Farm Bureau formed in county
1918 Mercury at -32° hereabouts
1919 Finger Lakes Association formed
1920 Shepard Relief Hospital founded First blacktop on Burdett Hill
1921 Watkins-Montour Rotary Club formed, G. S. in Montour
1922 Lakeside Park developed Blacktop laid on Lake Road
1923 Cotton-Hanlon begun as mills
1924 15,000 acres of Adirondacks & Catskills burned 1925 Ray Yost's silver fox ranch at Reading in 10th year
1926 Watkins became Watkins Glen 1927 Zonta Club formed Electricity came to Tyrone
1928 Airplane service started at Love's (Burdett)
1929 Reforestation of 14,000 acres started by state New high school at Watkins Glen replaced burned one
1930 County's lowest population 12,909 (18,842 in 1880)
1931 Tyrone-Wayne-Altay gas fields developed
1932 Mickey Mouse created by Walt Disney Height of unemployment
1933 Famous stranded deer in Watkins Glen F. D. R. began Presidency
1934
1935 CCC started in county The flood in county
1936 Elizabeth Hopkins retired after 40 years as Montour Librarian 1937 Old Mecklenburg Baptist Church dismantled to make Cayutaville Methodist Church
1938 Odessa School centralized, combining
districts
1939 Watkins Glen Municipal Building built, WPA Grape cooperative begun in Watkins Glen
1940 Population beginning to increase in county
1941 Commander Byrd returned from Antarctic
1942 Nuclear chain reaction (uranium) discovered 1943 Cook Academy closed Pay as you go income tax started
1944 Winter of the big snow in county
1945 Released religious instruction started
1946 Hidden Valley Camp opened as youth camp
1947 Summer theatre planned
1948 Grand Prix auto races started at Watkins Glen
1949 Glen Springs became Padua High School Tyrone Fire Dept. formed John Crawford-"Santa Claus" died Floods controlled at Montour Falls
1950 Cook Academy became a Friary of Atone- ment Seminary
1951 County population increased 9.3% in past decade. First increase since 1880
National Archery meet
1952 County Office Building completed
1953 County coordination of fire departments completed
1954 Centennial
WATER SPORTS ON SENECA LAKE IN THE GAY NINETIES
Just rig a hammock between two posts, don your suit (no little task) and get dunked! Some fun! This picture was taken at Valois. -Glen Mickel collection
1
A Centennial Committee Is Born
On February third of this year in response to a call issued by Mr. Joseph Hoffman, chairman of the Schuyler County Board of Supervisors, about sixty people met at the Court House to consider plans for the Centennial observance of the founding of Schuyler County on April 17, 1854. The moving spirit for this idea was Mr. Frank Wilkes Severne, revered county historian. It was agreed that a main committee of 15 members, one from each of the eight townships, three from Watkins Glen, two from Montour Falls and one each from Odessa and Burdett, should be appointed.
On March thirty-first this committee met and the following officers were elected: Mr. Bert C. Cate of Montour Falls, president; Mr. Arthur Hoare of Wat- kins Glen, 1st vice-president; Mrs. Georgia Carney of Odessa, 2nd vice-president; Mr. William R. Kelly of Watkins Glen, secretary and treasurer. Attorney Henry Valent was appointed by the Committee to advise on legal matters and to assist in planning the activities and in carrying them to completion.
The following committees were set up to carry through the various programs of the Committee:
Compiliation of Historical Articles, Pictures and Papers headed by Mr. Myron Bates, assisted by Mrs. Mary Layton, Mrs. Annah Robinson, Mrs. Helen Huey, Mrs. Ethel Tanner and Mr. Russell Martin.
Souvenir Booklet headed by Mr. Wood Howell. Mr. Howell found his work would not permit him to continue with the souvenir booklet. The committee was more than fortunate to get Mr. Carl B. Garey to take over the task, write the history of the one hundred years and amass pictures to help in telling the story.
Display of Old Relics and Souvenirs of the One Hundred Years headed jointly by Mr. John Bolton and Mr. Arthur Hoare.
Insurance for any of the public activities headed jointly by Mr. John Bolton and Mr. Arthur Hoare.
Parade, Pageants and Centennial Speeches headed by Mr. Stewart Coats, assisted by Mr. Ray Horton and Mr. Lloyd Webb.
Centennial Ball, Choosing of a Centennial Queen and Cutting of the Centennial Cake headed by Mrs. Georgia Carney.
There was a very cooperative spirit of helpfulness back and forth on the various committees that accounted for the splendid results that were obtained.
It has been a long and difficult task to get all the facts required by the various committees but patient, persistent effort has borne fruit. The work is com- pleted for the Centennial observance with the printing of this souvenir booklet except for the compiliation of historical records. This will be completed shortly and made available to schools and libraries for permanent record.
On behalf of the committee of fifteen and on behalf of Attorney Henry Valent who served for the committee, on behalf of Mr. Carl B. Garey who took over the souvenir booklet and did such an unusually fine job, and on behalf of our promotion men, Mr. Roger Reinhart and Mr. Malcolm Currie, I wish to thank the people of Schuyler County for their continued and enthusiastic assistance, without which our efforts would have been unavailing.
It is our hope as a committee that every home in Schuyler County will have a copy of the booklet as a treasured record of one hundred years of splendid service by our forebearers in Schuyler County.
As someone remarked of his alma mater, a little school, so can we paraphrase for our little Schuyler County: "It is a little county, but there are many of us who love it." May our contribution in the second century be of such unselfish quality that it may find its record mentioned in the Centennial booklet of 2054.
Bert C. Cate Centennial Chairman
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FRANK W. SEVERNE, Schuyler County historian, editor, gentleman and beloved civic leader. He has been instrumental in helping many others who have lost their sight. His inspiration led to a proper observance of Schuyler County's Centennial. His memories, many of which are record- ed, provide a rich historical story of some 90 years.
.
THE SCHUYLER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1954 1
Left to right: Harry C. Klube, Reading; Lloyd V. Webb, Orange; Floyd Haff, Tyrone; Jay D. Turner, Dix, Joseph J. Hoffman, Chr., Catharine; Nelson Warren, Hector; James M. Eddy, Montour; Franklin Eaton, Cayuta.
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3
-
-
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Tyrone and Orange from Steuben Cy. Dix, Catharine and Cayuta from Chemung Cy. Hector from Tompkins Cy. Montour from part of Catharine in 1860
. North Hector
Scheca.
Searsburgh
Steamburgh
Hector
. Polkville
Perry. City
Reynoldsville
HECTOR
Little Lake
. Altay
· Weston
1
Reading Center®
Burdett
Bennettsburgh
Mud Lake
Pine -- Grove!
Ireland- ville
Bradford.
1
I Watkins
Cayutaville
1
Pine Creek
1
Townsend
· Havana
1
1
CATHARINE 1 1
ORANGE
DIX
1
1
. Odessa
Catharine Alpine
· Monterey .
Moreland
1
1
Dans
. Meads Creek
Schuyler County in 1854
· Cayuta CAYUTA
. Wayne
TYRONE
. North Reading 0
Mecklenburgh
I
· Tyrone
1 READING
1
. Smith's Valley
1
1
1
Sugar Hill ·
Lawrence
Cayuta Lake
Zasto Orange
-
Beaver
Lake
Seneca
Showing the villages in the county in 1854 and origins of each area in the newly erected county
E
5563
-
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