West NY News

The week of August 11th to August 17th in Chautauqua County history brings a mix of events ranging from significant educational developments to visits from prominent national figures. Here are some highlights:

August 11:

- 1826: The Stockton Post Office was established, marking a vital step in the communication infrastructure of the area.

- 1857: Mowing machines for hay were in use and for sale in Busti by this date. Alvin Bullock of Busti had patented a mowing machine about 15 years earlier, revolutionizing agricultural practices in the region.

- 1876: Jamestown Lodge No. 34 of the Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized, providing social and financial support to its members.

- 1893: The Fredonia Union School was organized. Union Schools were predecessors to high schools and Central Schools as defined by the New York State Education Department.

- 1898: Four stores were burglarized in Cherry Creek, an event that likely stirred concern and prompted increased security measures.

- 1905: Theodore Roosevelt visited the Chautauqua Institution for the fourth and last time, bringing national attention to the area.

- 2014: Phil Donahue returned to Chautauqua, engaging audiences with his insights. On the same day, Jay Leno visited Jamestown.

August 12:

- 1925: The Farman Free Library opened in Ellington, providing residents with access to knowledge and learning resources.

- 1929: The Attica earthquake was felt in Chautauqua County.

- 1940: Regular airmail service was inaugurated in Jamestown, connecting the region more directly to the broader world.

- 1963: Kinzua Bridge State Park was formed in Pennsylvania, attracting visitors from Chautauqua County and beyond.

August 13:

- 1834: Philip Phillips, known as the "Singing Pilgrim," was born in Cassadaga. He later headed the music department at the Chautauqua Institution.

- 1924: The Sherman Street Grammar School transitioned to become Jefferson Junior High.

- 1984: Wine coolers went on sale after much controversy.

- 1993: The first Balloon Rally was held at Lakewood.

- 1999: Seatbelts became mandatory on Southwestern Central School buses.

August 14:

- 1822: The Harmony (Ashville) Post Office was established.

- 1858: A contest between hay mowers invented by Stoddard and Bullock demonstrated local ingenuity in Busti.

-1871 : A tragedy struck when the steamer Chautauqua exploded at Whitney's Bay on Chautauqua Lake killing eight people

-1875 : President Ulysses S Grant visited chatauquaa Assembly underscoring institutions significance

-1889 : Jamestown Business College incorporated contributing education professional development areas residents

-1936 : President Franklin D Roosevelt spoke at chatauquaa delivering one famous speeches reinforcing institution role shaping national discourse

-1946 : Busti panther scare began reports large feline roaming area causing fear fascination among locals

-1954 : WGRZ TV (Ch2) went air Buffalo expanding reach television news entertainment into chatauquaa county

-1993 : First Harmony Historical Festival began Blockville celebrating areas rich heritage community events historical exhibits

-1996 : Statue Robert H Jackson dedicated Jamestown honoring hometown hero who became Supreme Court Justice Chief US Prosecutor Nuremberg Trials

-1997 : chatauquaa county reptile society held first meeting Bethel Lutheran Church Falconer reflecting unique local interest reptiles

-1999 : First Babe Ruth twelve under softball World Series began Jamestown highlighting areas commitment youth sports

-2002 At two thirty PM new jamestown ice rink first put into use providing new venue community recreation athletic events

August fifteen :

seventeen seventy nine skirmish Warren County Pennsylvania marked nearest Revolutionary War military action chatauquaa county linking area broader struggle American independence eighteen thirty three Ellington Christian Church also known Disciples Christ raised contributing areas spiritual life eighteen forty six school celebration Ellery attracted two thousand attendees showcasing accomplishments students festive community gathering eighteen forty eight Oren Stoddard Busti patented self protecting bee hive significant advancement beekeeping technology helped protect hives moth millers eighteen seventy seven white handkerchief salute originated chatauquaa institution becoming distinctive tradition still observed today eighteen eighty nine land purchased jamestown driving park which became popular venue horse harness racing reflecting communitys enthusiasm sports recreation nineteen hundred first Rural Free Delivery RFD service jamestown initiated bringing mail directly residents doors fundamentally changing rural life reducing need travel post offices nineteen fifty three radar gun demonstrated Mayville representing significant advancement law enforcement technology

August sixteen :

eighteen eighty nine serious fire Cherry Creek caused significant damage illustrating dangers faced small towns era before modern fire prevention measures nineteen hundred two Hotel De Celoron which opened August seventh eighteen ninety three tragically burned down ending era once grand establishment nineteen twelve William Jennings Bryan made second last appearance chatauquaa reinforcing institutions role platform influential speakers nineteen fifty five experiments chemical weed control chatauquaa lake began though exact date murky early efforts highlight ongoing battle manage invasive species protect local waterways nineteen sixty one first annual WCA Country Capers fundraiser held Southwestern Central School For those too young remember event major community gathering supporting WCA Hospital Jamestown nineteen ninety three lap riot occurred Mayville curious somewhat chaotic event added touch unexpected excitement summer twenty twenty three movie theaters chatuuqa mall closed marking end era local cinema

August seventeen :

eighteen thirty three first visit governor New York William Marcy Jamestown significant event bringing attention region states highest office eighteen fifty eight mowing machine demonstration contest held Abram Franks farm Busti showcasing innovations agricultural technology eighteen sixty nine Mrs Isabella Richmond lectured Woman Sphere Jones Hall Jamestown offering anti suffrage perspective during time heated debate over womens rights same year dramatic near disaster involving burning oil tank cars took place Cross Cut Railroad Brocton providing vivid example dangers early industrial transportation Eighteen eighty two James M Brown Post number two eighty five Grand Army Republic organized jameston serving veterans organization Union soldiers Civil War Nineteen hundred nine first Board Supervisors meeting held new present County Courthouse marking beginning new chapter local governance Nineteen forty nine remarkable engineering feat two railroad bridges weighing combined two thousand seven hundred eighty five tons moved just six half hours watched three thousand spectators Warren Pennsylvania These historical events week offer vivid snapshot diverse dynamic history Chattaqua County from agricultural innovations community developments visits notable national figures emergence local traditions Each story contributes rich heritage continues shape region today

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