A look back at significant events that occurred in Chautauqua County between August 3 and August 9 reveals a wide range of historical moments, from presidential visits to community milestones.
On August 3, Elisha Baker of Poland reported a wheat yield of 30 bushels per acre in 1860. The first Swedish Day celebration took place at Chautauqua Institution in 1885. In 1894, the Allen Opera House in Jamestown was destroyed by fire. The cornerstone for the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown was laid in 1925. In 1956, Ashville village joined the Panama Central School District.
August 4 marked the beginning of the First Sunday School Assembly in 1874, which later became known as Chautauqua Institution. Cherry Creek Union Free School was organized in 1897. A hailstone with an eight-inch circumference fell in Jamestown at 9:00 AM on this date in 1899. The Cattaraugus County Volunteer Firemen’s Association expanded to include Chautauqua and Erie Counties and became the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen of New York in 1909. Other events included a wedding aboard the Bemus Point–Stow Ferry (1979) and a Jewish circumcision ceremony at Chautauqua Institution (2003).
On August 5, history records that the ship Virginia docked in New York City with the first Swedes who would later settle locally (1846). The steamboat May Martin made its first regular run serving downtown Jamestown in 1875. Susan B. Anthony visited Lily Dale on this date in 1896. Groundbreaking for Fifth Street high-rise apartments took place in Jamestown and the Portage Trail was rededicated by Boy Scouts—though it is now closed—in 1972.
August 6 saw the founding of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church by thirty congregants in Frewsburg (1880). Senator Robert F. Kennedy held a press conference at Chautauqua Institution on this day in 1965. In more recent years, Kristina Damond won her division at the Soap Box Derby (1994), an excursion train stopped in Jamestown (2011), and Jennifer Suhr of Fredonia won Olympic gold for pole vaulting at the London Summer Games (2012).
Notable events on August 7 include President James A. Garfield’s visit to Chautauqua Institution and Lily Dale’s first meeting, both occurring in 1880. The same day saw other key developments such as women being elected to Jamestown’s school board under new law (1889), Hotel De Celoron opening (1893), formation of Norden Club (1911), admission of Newton Memorial Tuberculosis Hospital’s first patient (1920), volunteer work beginning at Busti Mill (1971), and Hampton Hotel opening officially in Ellicott (2006).
On August 8, George Stoneman—future California governor—was born near Lakewood (1822). William Hood, last Revolutionary War veteran from Chautauqua County, died on this date in Pomfret (1858). Rev. Harry White addressed a Ku Klux Klan gathering at Jamestown City Building (1924). Other notable occurrences were West Nile virus being detected for the first time locally (2000) and a blimp sighting over Dunkirk Airport (2011).
Finally, August 9 includes several church land donations by Holland Land Company dating back to 1825; a deadly steamboat fire off Silver Creek killing about two hundred forty people—the worst disaster recorded locally—in1841; gatherings like over one thousand Swedes picnicking at Lakewood(1872); organizational beginnings such as formation of CLSC(1878)and opening Gowanda State Homeopathic Hospital(1898); business transactions like acquisition by Jamestown Telephone Company(1944)and purchase of Post-Journal newspaper chain(1961); as well as hosting inaugural Babe Ruth League World Series game for thirteen-year-olds(Jamestown1980).
Norman Carlson compiled these details as part of ongoing efforts to document local heritage: “Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian.”
