West NY News

As we look back on Chautauqua County’s rich history, this week’s events offer a glimpse into the unique stories that have shaped our region.

On September 8, 1812, the tiny hamlet of Jamestown, then known as the Upper Rapids, was virtually destroyed by fire. In 1855, Mayville hosted the first Chautauqua County Republican Convention. The first amateur rowing regatta on Chautauqua Lake opened in 1886, marking a two-day event. In 1924, Lakewood celebrated the opening of its new school with an open house (demolished in 2005). St. James Parochial School in Jamestown officially opened its doors in 1954. The first concrete was poured for the new Route 20 bridge in Westfield in 1986. A tragic airliner crash near Pittsburgh in 1994 claimed the lives of 132 people, including Laurie Baer of Ashville and Donna White, formerly of Jamestown. In 1998, Southwestern School District introduced all-day kindergarten. The Upstate milk processing plant in Jamestown closed its doors in 2000. Fugitive Ralph Philips was captured in Akeley, Pennsylvania, ending a tense manhunt in 2006.

On September 9, 1835, "The Jamestown Journal published the first installment of a two-part series describing wondrous life discovered on the moon – a hoax copied from the New York Sun." Portland Harbor was renamed Barcelona in 1836. The Cleveland Gatling Gun battery camped in Lakewood in 1889. The first classes were held in the new Jamestown High School in 1935. Excavation began for the Busti Art Metal plant, later known as Cummins Engine, in 1966.

On September 10, Perry’s victory on Lake Erie during the War of 1812 occurred in 1813. Elbert Hubbard of Roycroft fame delivered a lecture at the Unitarian Church in Jamestown in 1906. The first issue of "The Jamestown Star," successor to "The Sun," was published in 1962. The Palace Theater in Jamestown held its last regular movie screening in 1981.

On September 11, "the Congregational Church" was organized "in Lakewood" "in" "1893." In "1914," "the first electric trolley car run between Jamestown and Westfield took place on" "the" "Jamestown," "Westfield," and Northwestern Railway." Hebner Heights," the first of three post-war veteran family housing units" opened for occupancy"in""1946." The final graduation ceremony of WCA School of Nursing was held"in""1964."

On September12,"1862:"The112thRegimentleftCampBrowninJamestownfortheCivilWar.""1888:ThefirstdredgingoftheChautauquaLakeOutletbeganfinishingonJune121891.""1898:PeddlingfarmproducewaslegalizedinJamestown.""1996:Araccoonrabiesimmunizationdroptookplace.""2012:TheAFVfoodplantformerlyknownasFairbanksFarminHarmonyclosed."

On September13:"1854:TheClymerHillReformedChurchbuildingwasdedicated.""1889:TheJamestownCameraClubformedwith15members.""1982:TheJamestownFurnitureMarthelditsfinaldayofbusiness.""1997:ThefirstVisit-the-Farm-DaywasheldatKidderFarminBusti.""2000:DemolitionbeganfortheJamestownicearena.""2004:SouthwesternCentralSchooladopted“universalpre-K”offeringeducationto4-year-olds.""2004:WRFA,theArtsCouncil’sradiostation,beganbroadcastinginJamestown.""2013:TheLakeErieConcordGrapeCenterinWestfieldhelditsgrandopening."

On September14:"1875:ThefirstSinclairvilleFairopenedtothepublic."1886:LakeViewSeminaryinMayvilletragicallyburnedtotheground."1901:ThepredecessoroftheBustiTownPicnicsponsoredbytheRearickTentoftheKnightsoftheMaccabeestookplace."1928:"TheBustiDistrict4Mothers'Clubwasformed."

1937:FamousmoviecowboystarTomMixmadeanappearanceinJamestow

These historical events highlight Chautauqua County's storied past from significant community developments to tragic moments and cultural milestones each event adds another layer to fabricour region's history.

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