West NY News

As February draws to a close and March begins, historical events from Chautauqua County's past come into focus. This week in history highlights several significant occurrences that have shaped the region.

On February 23, 1898, the Iron and Oil Baseball League was established with Jamestown as a member team. The games were played at Celoron Park, providing local baseball fans with much excitement. In 1899, the Chautauqua Council No. 630 of the Improved Order of Heptasophs was organized in Jamestown as part of a broader movement promoting mutual aid and camaraderie. Fast forward to 1946, an oil well was successfully drilled on Art Donelson's farm in Busti, marking one of many mid-20th-century oil explorations in the area.

February 24 saw John Owens pass away in Carroll at age 107 in 1843. Owens was a veteran of both the Revolutionary War and French and Indian War and was renowned for his storytelling prowess. On this day in 1886, Thomas Edison married Mina Miller in Akron, Ohio; she was the daughter of Lewis Miller, co-founder of the Chautauqua Institution. Additionally, on February 24, 1917, the Fenton Guards returned home to Jamestown after serving on the Mexican border following Pancho Villa’s attack.

February 25 marks two notable events: Albert Root from Ripley met his end while attempting to recover stolen cattle in Pine Bluff, Wyoming in 1870; he was killed and scalped during this effort. Meanwhile, on this date in 1940, Busti Volunteer Fire Department responded to its first emergency call at night.

On February 26 back in 1872 marked an important milestone when Worksburgh (now Falconer) post office opened its doors for business improving local communications significantly over time thereafter along with other notable happenings such as establishment Swedish Sisterhood organization within same year reflecting rich Scandinavian heritage present throughout region till today! More recently demolition began old City Hall building Jamestown paving way new Municipal Building dedication September following years showcasing folk music performances FACE Coffeehouse held campus Community College started same period ending commercial air service transition Southern Air Express replacing Sun provider airport finally completing transformation late decade arrival!

February also brought about some interesting developments including tragic incident involving Asa Cheney whose horses drowned breaking through ice while harvesting commercially available resource lake waterside nearby site where Minerva Club Sherman formed another female-centric social gathering point year later leading eventual dissolution Busti Town Picnic Association replaced firemen Gala Days continuing tradition community celebration albeit different format altogether yet maintaining spirit alive despite changes undergone decades since inception original concept itself evolved adapting needs times faced by residents living hereabouts over long course history recorded thus far culminating memorable moment last JCC Jayhawks basketball game played old Collegiate Center gymnasium winning scoreline against Morrisville opponents capping off successful run venue prior relocation elsewhere modern facilities built accommodate growing demand sporting events hosted future generations enjoy likewise moving forward onwards journey collective narrative shared experience past present alike!

Finally rounding out week historical significance observed March when town Ripley officially formed marking beginning civic governance holding first meeting ever conducted newly established jurisdiction laying groundwork continued development expansion seen ensuing years contributing overall growth prosperity entire county region whole benefiting countless individuals families calling place home throughout intervening centuries leading up current era we find ourselves living today!