“A self-made man is the description which best fits Karl Peterson, a manufacturer of Jamestown. He has a natural gift for mechanics and is of an inventive turn of mind, quick to grasp the possibilities in any circumstance which may arise, and equally quick to develop the new idea presented to him,” wrote John P. Downs and Frederick Y. Hedley in their 1921 History of Chautauqua County. [Read more…] about Karl Peterson: New York’s Crescent Wrench King
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The 1922 ‘Shifters’ Moral Panic
With the 19th Amendment offering greater rights for women, and the nation’s economy recovering from the First World War, the Roaring Twenties opened the door for young and old alike to shake off the Victorian Era restraints of the previous century. This was the era when women were “flappers,” and their men “sheiks.” It also gave rise to the speakeasy and to jazz. It was a time when numerous crazes, such as flagpole sitting and a dance called the Charleston, swept the country.
Another of these crazes was a secret society whose members went by the name of Shifters. The origin of this movement has never been discovered, with theories ranging from a prank by New York City high school girls to a marketing scheme by a novelty jewelry company. [Read more…] about The 1922 ‘Shifters’ Moral Panic
An 1805 Visitor to the Springs in Ballston and Saratoga
On Friday, August 30th in 1805, Matthew Prendergast set off on horseback from Sharon, Connecticut. Matthew was about 50 years old, a resident of Amenia in Dutchess County, NY, just across the state line from Sharon. He was comfortably well off, but definitely not super rich, and he suffered from rheumatism.
He had a few errands to do on the way, but he was planning on heading north and taking the waters at Ballston Springs, where he had visited in the past. He took his time, stopping several times, including at Kinderhook, Albany and Troy. [Read more…] about An 1805 Visitor to the Springs in Ballston and Saratoga
City of Jamestown Updating Cultural Resource Survey To Expand Black History
The City of Jamestown in Chautauqua County, NY is the recipient of a 2024 Preserve New York Grant from the Preservation League of NYS in the amount of $20,000 to update the Jamestown’s existing cultural resource survey (CRS) to help guide future historic preservation efforts. [Read more…] about City of Jamestown Updating Cultural Resource Survey To Expand Black History
Chautauqua Lake: Western New York’s Largest Natural Inland Lake
Chautauqua Lake, located in the towns of Chautauqua, Ellery, North Harmony, Ellicott and Busti in Chautauqua County, is the largest natural inland lake in Western New York. [Read more…] about Chautauqua Lake: Western New York’s Largest Natural Inland Lake
Midway State Park Celebrates 125 Years
Midway State Park on Bemus Point, Chautauqua Lake, was opened by a trolley company to attract weekend riders in 1898. It’s one only 12 such “trolley parks” remaining, and is the 17th oldest continuously operating amusement park in the country. In 2004, it became a state park, and this year marked its 125th anniversary. [Read more…] about Midway State Park Celebrates 125 Years
New 624 Area Code Takes Effect For Western New York
Beginning September 11, 2023, customers in the 716-area code region in Western New York requesting new mobile or landline telephone service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new 624 area code. The creation of the new area code is expected to provide additional needed phone numbers for residents and businesses in the existing 716-area code region for years to come. [Read more…] about New 624 Area Code Takes Effect For Western New York
Whitetail Deer Rescued From Deer Swing, Soccer Goal Net
According to a press release issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), on September 27th, Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Mead received a report about a deer with its head stuck in a swing set in Jamestown, Chautauqua County. The caller reported the animal was struggling to free itself for an estimated 45 minutes. [Read more…] about Whitetail Deer Rescued From Deer Swing, Soccer Goal Net
Celebrating 100 Years with Desi Arnaz
The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum has announced the 2017 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, which will take place August 3 to 6 in Jamestown, NY.
Visitors will be able to explore the life and career of Desi Arnaz through an exhibit and program that can only be seen during the 2017 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Both the exhibit and program will tell the story of Arnaz’s journey emigrating from Cuba, and how he ultimately became one of the most influential entertainment moguls in our culture’s history. [Read more…] about Celebrating 100 Years with Desi Arnaz