State Parks recently acquired the 12.1-mile, multi-use Pat McGee Trail in Cattaraugus County, which supports links to Allegany State Park in New York State and Allegany National Forest in Pennsylvania. [Read more…] about State Protects Rail Trail in Western New York
Cattaraugus County
DEC Announces Changes For Zoar Valley
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced improvements and actions at the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area (MUA) and Zoar Valley Unique Area in southern Erie and northern Cattaraugus counties. The improvements are designed to promote public safety and enhance the visitor experience at one of Western New York’s most scenic and ecologically diverse natural areas. [Read more…] about DEC Announces Changes For Zoar Valley
Historic Preservation Progress At Imperiled Civil War Memorial
In a posting here on November 22, 2015 (“An Imperiled Civil War Memorial”), I related the history to that date of the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building in Little Valley. More than two hundred Civil War veterans attended the dedication of the Memorial and Historical Building in September 1914. The inscription on a plaque above the entrance defined the Memorial as the county’s most significant Civil War monument: “To the memory of its soldiers and sailors in the War of the Rebellion, this building is erected by Cattaraugus County.” [Read more…] about Historic Preservation Progress At Imperiled Civil War Memorial
An Imperiled Civil War Memorial
More than two hundred Civil War veterans and a large crowd of citizens gathered in Little Valley, the county seat, on September 7, 1914, for the dedication of the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building. A plaque above the entrance stated the structure’s purpose: “To the memory of its soldiers and sailors in the War of the Rebellion, this building is erected by Cattaraugus County.” [Read more…] about An Imperiled Civil War Memorial
Grant Awarded To Help Save Civil War Memorial
The Landmark Society of Western New York has awarded a $2,500 grant to promote an effort to save the Cattaraugus County Civil War Memorial & Historical Building in Little Valley, NY. The grant was made to the Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP), a local citizen group formed to stop plans to demolish 100-year-old building dedicated to Civil War Veterans
The funds will be used to develop a preliminary preservation plan. The work will be performed by Clinton Brown Company, which specializes in renewing historic buildings. [Read more…] about Grant Awarded To Help Save Civil War Memorial
Casino Push Recalls 1960s Catskills Nuke Project
Even those who are not particularly astute observers of the current battle for casino licenses have recognized that the struggle has devolved into one in which some of those in the running have resorted to pointing out how desperate they are.
Sullivan and Ulster Counties seem to be in the lead in this dubious category, and although it will likely be worth it if it lands a casino for one or both, it remains to be seen what the long term impact of such reverse promotion will be, especially if no casinos are forthcoming. [Read more…] about Casino Push Recalls 1960s Catskills Nuke Project
History and Economic Development:
Some Lessons from Western New York
There are two regions which have Path through History plans listed on the ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDEC) for New York State.
I’ve reviewed the Long Island region proposal here. As will be seen, there are certain overlaps and parallels in their respective plans and differences as well between their plans and those of the Western New York region, which I’ll cover here. [Read more…] about History and Economic Development:
Some Lessons from Western New York
Peter Feinman: The George Bailey of New York History
George Bailey is alive and well and living in New York. No, not in Seneca Falls which claims to be the inspiration for It’s A Wonderful Life‘s Bedford Falls, but in Cattaraugus, south of Buffalo. There Patrick J. Cullen serves as the president of the Bailey Savings and Loan AKA the Bank of Cattaraugus (see The Bank Around the Corner by Alan Feuer, New York Times). [Read more…] about Peter Feinman: The George Bailey of New York History
Civil War Nurse Dedication Ceremony
In 1911, Civil War nurse Lucy Blanchard died in Fenton, Michigan. Her remains were brought back to Syracuse and she was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. For ninety-nine years, her grave was unmarked and the memory of her service faded. Thanks to the efforts of Michigan historian Len Thomas, Lucy’s life story has been researched in depth. With the help of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a government headstone has been placed on Lucy’s grave.
On Saturday morning, November 13 at 11 o’clock, all are invited to pay tribute to this courageous lady, so long forgotten. For more information and a map to the gravesite, go to:
NY Correction History Society: Cattaraugus County
To mark this December month of Cattaraugus County’s Bicentennial, the website of the New York Correction History Society (NYCHS) is unveiling a multi-page timeline presentation on the executions of 12 men convicted of murder in that “Enchanted Mountains County” of southwestern New York.
Besides detailing the 12 murder cases individually, the timeline presentation also serves as a vehicle to explore interesting historical developments that provide wider context to the cases. These include looking at the histories of the county jails, sheriffs, and courts as well as at execution methods and at other Cattaraugus-related murder case convictions not resulting in executions.
The timing of the presentation’s unveiling is appropriate because the first and the last Cattaraugus murders resulting in executions took place during Decembers 70 years apart. The first happened Dec. 18, 1869; the last, Dec 9, 1939.
Of the 12 men executed, two were hanged at the Little Valley Jail (both involved December murders, 14 years apart), four were electrocuted at Auburn Prison, and six were electrocuted at Sing Sing.
Next to each date on the timeline appears a very brief entry outlining the case. Under each entry appears a link line “For more details.” Clicking that link line accesses a page providing an in-depth account of the case.
In addition to the case narration and explorations of historical contexts, the individual case pages include notes discussing source materials used. The source notes sections are provided so that others interested in pursuing further research can have starting points for beginning their quests.
The NYCHS project was undertaken with the encouragement, support and assistance of Cattaraugus County administrator Jack Searles and County Historian Sharon Fellows. Thomas McCarthy is the NY Correction History Society’s general secretary and webmaster.