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The Red's Taxi post.

By Lucille Van Son

To all of you who shared in the Red's Taxi post, and especially Bea who initiated it, I found some very interesting pictures this evening.  I am not trying to promote a business, but it just happened I went out for ice cream this evening and ended up out at Dave's.  (and it was sugar-free and good). On the walls inside, were pictures of old Batavia (and I mean old)!  I saw a picture of Sacred Heart Church during the flood of 1942, I saw a picture of the Bus Station, the old railroad Depot that was where Salvation Army is now,  the Kendall gas station, Joy's Liquor Store, Dean's Drugs, Sloat's Tire Shop and there were others!  I just can't remember them all. 

I just wanted to share this with all that took that short trip down memory lane the beginning of the week.  I and I thought the bar idea was a good one.

 Lu

Red's Taxi - Anyone remember?

By Bea McManis

Does anyone remember where the dispatch office was for Red's Taxi?

Was there a taxi cab company near the Blue Bus Station on Court St?

While we are at it, does anyone remember an ice cream parlor attached to the Family theater on Jackson St.

....and to settle a dispute, where was Alexander's clothing store located.

Thanks

A great Idea goes sour with 200 yrs of Bethany Architectural History

By Terry Weber

I very much looked foward to this program to gain some new insights in to the town's early history especially as regards it's older buildings. Everything was first rate, the refreshments and the turn out were quite more than I expected.  The Presenter ( Cynthis Houk)  from the WNY Landmark Society seemed to be quite the coup for our little stashed away hamlet.  She made a point of telling us that she keeps all her images on slides because they have a proven record of lasting through many, many years.  She spent many hours driving our back roads hunting for treasures that she could present  to us. Goodie! I know this town well, but I'm always open to someone pointing out hidden architectural gems I've overlooked.

Unfortunatly, Cynthia must have taken most of her pictures at dusk or on the most overcast day of the year. Perhaps she couldn't preview them, like most digital cameras, to see if she needed to reshoot any. She did Geoff Briggs the injustice of shooting his wonderful well preserved home from 3 different angles ( at least), none of which was recognizable. Her comment to him was that his house just wasn't photogenic and what a shame. I strained my eyes to see doorways and lintels that were in dark shadow, I could go on and on, but those of you who were there know what a truly crappy slide show this woman put on. The only time she even looked at the screen was when the Landmark Society's brochure was on display, then she scurried over to adjust the focus. I thought surely the next slide would benefit from this adjustment, but no, still dark and unseeable.  Unfortunatly, she must have spent a ton on slides that will last forever and nary a one are worth it.

I feel  she treated us like yokels that she could present anything to and have us be grateful. I take pictures all over the area constantly for my painting projects, so I know good, wonderful pictures can be made. I love the town in all it's seasons.

Again I truly commend the town for presenting a great program idea with a wonderful venue but you were had, and so were those GCC Students there to film the whole thing. Terry Weber.

Conversations with Calliope- Roots and Branches

By Joseph Langen

 

(Tree Branches)
JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Energized.
CALLIOPE: How so?
JOE: I told you I work up that way yesterday. I struggled all last week to write anything. Yesterday ideas flowed easily from my mind to my fingertips and into cyberspace.
CALLIOPE: Glad all systems are go. What's on your mind this morning?
JOE: One of the insights I had yesterday dates back to incidents which took place forty five years ago. Thoughts about what happened arose from thinking about meeting next week with an old classmate from the seminary I last saw in 1965.
CALLIOPE: Tell me about the insight.
JOE: I had been living in a monastic order and became increasingly more in conflict with the powers that be. I have struggled off and on over the years to understand what happened.
CALLIOPE: And you finally figured it out?
JOE: I think so. At least I have an idea. Those in charge were seeking to rediscover the roots of the order. I was on top of the tree, more interested in branches and new growth. Mutual distrust evolved from not being on the same page.
CALLIOPE: An interesting thought. How can you use it now?
JOE: Obviously it is too late to reconcile anything. But this might be a good theme for a story, or perhaps more than one.
CALLIOPE: Let's watch for one.
JOE: Sounds good for me. Talk with you tomorrow.

HLOM Dinner and Lecture

By Holland Land Office Museum

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} b\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} 285 7772400 10058400 259 261 257 280 262 283 1 06<8V%K2BMD22<WOG0E+0^0 5 1 0 286 False 0 0 -1 304800 243 True 128 77 255 3175 3175 70 True True True True True 282 134217728 1 1 -9999996.000000 -9999996.000000 8 Empty 32768 8421504 11776947 13421772 0 271778548 16711680 255 16777215 -1 (Custom) -87325200 -87325200 (`@````````` 267 263 5 On Tuesday, April 21st the public is invited to a special dinner program of the Holland Land Office Museum. [img_assist|nid=5516|title=Holland Land Office Museum|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=0|height=50]

 

The dinner, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church 190 Oak Street in Batavia, will feature their popular Swiss steak dinner served family style.

 

After dinner, County Historian, Susan Conklin will speak. Her program is the Spanish Flu and its Impact on Genesee County.

 

The Spanish Flu, or 1918 Flu Pandemic, spread to nearly every corner of the world. It killed an estimated 20 to 100 million people worldwide, including up to 675,000 Americans.

 

The Spanish Flu is an under researched event in world history. There are a few scholarly books about it and some novels that take place during it.

Conklin will discuss what was happening in our community during this time and how local residents reacted.

 

The cost of the dinner and program is $10 per person. Please call the museum at 343-4727 with your reservation by April 16th.

 

 

Conversations with Calliope- College Years

By Joseph Langen

 (Fishing Boat- Antigua)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Still wading through my time line. I just finished writing about my early twenties.
CALLIOPE: Any new discoveries?
JOE: I think my realization about not having close high school friends influenced my relationships after leaving the seminary.
CALLIOPE: How so?
JOE: I was lonely and desperate to have a girl friend. Since I had no experience in relationships with girls as most boys do in high school, I was like a fish out of water.
CALLIOPE: How did it end up?
JOE: Not very well. My first date was set up by a friend who also left the seminary. She turned out to speak no English and my Polish was nonexistent.
CALLIOPE: Did it get better?
JOE: I met a nutty girl and one who turned out to be mentally ill.
CALLIOPE: No one in their right mind?
JOE: One, but for only for a single date. She was a lovely girl, and we resonated well. Unfortunately she lived in the country, I had no car and could not get to her on my own. The person we relied on for a ride had no sense of what we both wanted and liked to tell jokes and drink in bars. It just didn't work.
CALLIOPE: Sorry to hear that. Do you think these experiences influenced your writing?
JOE: I think so but that's another story. Talk with you tomorrow.

A look at the Oakfield fire of 1895

By Brian Hillabush

I knew the village of Oakfield has been around for a long time, but I never really thought about what might have happened before everybody living there was born.

While looking at some history sites I came across one called GenDisasters, which posted a story from an Ohio Newspaper called The Mansfield News from 5-12-1895.

Buffalo, May 11. -- The little village of Oakfield was entirely destroyed by fire this morning. Not a house is left standing. The fields about the burning village are occupied by the refugees who have saved nothing from the flames. Shortly after 3 o'clock this morning a telegram was received here asking for assistance but none could be sent. The telegraph, telephone and railway dispatch offices are all burned out and no wire communication can be had with the village. The fire started in the rear of HARRIS & CHAPIN'S hardware store about 1:30 a.m. and burned till 3:30 o'clock. Among the buildings destroyed are:
CHAMBERLAIN'S block, dry goods and grocery store.
HARRIS & CHAPIN'S hardware store.
WEAVER'S furniture and undertaking establishment.
B. C. MARTIN'S dry goods and grocery store.
The ARNOLD Hotel.
The BARNES House.
Odd Fellows Hall.
DR. TUGTUIS' drug store, and a number of dwellings. The loss will be about $75,000.

Oakfield - which was originally known as Cary or Caryville - had a population of over 1,000 when the first recorded store opened in 1833 by Colonel Alfred Cary.

The village's name was changed to Plain Brook in 1837 and was soon after changed to Oakfield. The first village meeting was held in August of 1887.

There is a fascinating piece written on the history of Oakfield here.

Book On Batavia ReReleased!

By Holland Land Office Museum

Arcadia Publishing has rereleased Barbara Ann Toal's book, Images of America: Batavia. The book was originally published in 2000 and has been sold out and unavailable for the past four years.

The book is available at the Joseph Ellicott Museum Store at the Holland Land Office Museum and contains more than 180 photographs, postcards, maps and drawings. The book makes an excellent gift and retails for $19.99.

The Holland Land Office Museum located at 131 West Main Street in Batavia is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Arcadia Publishing, based in South Carolina, are experts in publishing short run local history books. They have published local histories on thousands of cities, towns and villages across the United States.

For more information, contact the Museum at 585-343-4727

 

 

February Lecture at the Holland Land Office Museum

By Holland Land Office Museum

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On Wednesday, February 25th the public is invited to special program at the Holland Land Office Museum. In celebration of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the Museum will be hosting a lecture called, Lincoln and the Free Soil Movement.

The program will be presented by Garth Swanson. Mr. Swanson is a Professor of History at Genesee Community College. He will put Lincoln in perspective, discuss his views on slavery and dispel some of the Lincoln myths. He will also discuss some of Lincoln’s ties to Western New York.

The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Holland Land Office Museum. Refreshments will be served following the program. Get there early for a good seat, because there will be a full house!

 

William Morgan: No. 3 in "What Made Genesee County Famous"

By Philip Anselmo

We're nearing the end of the countdown, folks. Only two left to tick off on the list of the Holland Land Office Museum's 25 Things That Made Genesee County Famous. Taking the No. 3 spot was the disappearance of William Morgan, which remains a mystery to this day.

From Pat Weissend, museum director:

Before there was OJ, before the Lindburgh Baby Kidnapping, before Lizzie Borden there was William Morgan. William Morgan was a Batavian who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by Free Masons in September 1826.

Morgan was a bricklayer who wanted to become a member of the Masonic Fraternity. When a Masonic lodge opened in Batavia, Morgan applied for membership, saying he was a member in the LeRoy lodge. It was discovered that Morgan lied about his membership and his application was denied.

In order to get revenge for his denial, Morgan began to write a book disclosing the secrets of the society. Members of the fraternity threatened Morgan and even set fire to David Miller’s print shop where the book was being published.

You will have to visit the museum's Web site to get the rest of the story—if you haven't already heard it. Weissend also posted the three-part video series that The Batavian put together last month on the disappearance of Morgan.

Businesses standing the test of time

By Timothy Paine

        I'm starting a new weekly article. Recently Howard posted an article talking about shopping locally. I spoke with him and Philip at their inaugural party about supporting local businesses but many new-comers or younger people might not know that they're here. I've been in this area my whole life and constantly still learn about businesses that have been in Genesse County for many years. We have so many places that have been here forever but do we know them all? This is where I invite all readers to comment here or e-mail me about local businesses so I can do a "spot-light" on them. I will post on Sunday each week and hopefully learn about who they are, what the do and where they can be found. Please contact me, my e-mail address is timpaineforbatavia@yahoo.com. I want to start with businesses that have been here for 80 years or more (I want to start with the ones who survived the Great Depression). I will move on to those who have been here from 50-80 years next and so on and.....  I would really like to hear from those that are still in the family, but any business that has been here 80 years or more is wonderful. I will be starting this week with Geer Farm Services in Alexander. Keep a watch for the article and please let me know about any Genesee County businesses that have been here a long time. Let's find as many as we can and support them all. Thanks, Tim Paine

Treasure trove of historical Genesee County pictures

By Howard B. Owens

One of the things I love about Western New York in general, and Genesee County in particular is the sense of history I get from visiting its villages and towns.

All of the county's of WNY once played such a prominent role in the economic vitality of the nation, not to mention its contribution to culture and politics.

For all the short-sightedness of the city to tear down three city blocks of majestic historic buildings and build an ugly, non-functional mall, WNY is nothing like California, where the words "new" and "progress" are nearly sacred.  The idea of preservation is nearly unheard of.

Thankfully, most of WNY's villages are still in tact. There are so much great architecture on display when you drive from town to town (avoiding the Thruway as much as possible).

Yesterday, while searching for a picture of Le Roy, I stumbled across this collection of historic photos of Genesee County.

Above is an old postcard from the collection, a picture of The Batavian Office Building the Masonic Temple on East Main Street.

Le Roy: Ministries, histories and liberties: The day in pictures

By Philip Anselmo

Most of my day out in Le Roy today was spent wandering around Main Street and environs, snapping photos of whatever caught my eye. I've put together this post to share a few of those pictures with you. A few of these places have much more going on that what I have been so far able to dig up. While I continue the dig, maybe you can share some of what you know.

This façade is typical of the fronts on Main Street: tall, flat and home to a Christian fellowship. You can see that the top row of windows are all boarded up. Do you know of any plans for those flats?

This here is the front of One Main Street, one time home to the Ganson Inn, though most recently occupied by the Creekside Inn restaurant and bar. A fire put the place out of commission a few years back, we were told. Fortunately, the building is being renovated and will once again be transformed into a restaurant and bar.

This is what the building renovations look like on the side of One Main Street. As you can see, they're pretty extensive. A lot going on. We're hoping to get more details once we get in touch with the current owner. Look for more on that in the future.

This photo doesn't quite capture the splendor of this view. It's too small. Anyhow, the view is of a liberty statue next to what I believe is the school, looking out over the frozen creek.

I'll be back out in Le Roy next week, looking for more stories, more news. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the meantime with tips and suggestions.

Lunch at the Eagle Hotel

By Philip Anselmo

It's been a placid day out here in Le Roy today. It's cold but not too cold. Grey but not too grey. So many homes here have shutters. It reminds me of the Parisian suburbs, peopled with tree-lined rues and avenues and stately, majestic homes. After a morning of work and wandering and talking up the few folks I already know in the area, I pulled up a stool at the Eagle Hotel for a hot lunch.

You can't read the plaque in this photo—obviously—but it's there, behind the tree. It reads: "Here at the Eagle Hotel the LeRoy village government was organized on July 12, 1834. Presented in honor of the LeRoy Sesquicentennial 1984." Sesquicentennial means 150th anniversary. Of course, 2009 would then make this the 175th anniversay of the village. Rochester and Toronto are also in the midst of their 175th. That's the demisemiseptcentennial for you other logophiles out there.

So we know that the Eagle Hotel, too, has been around for at least 175 years, likely more. Unfortunately, the owner, Nancy Scott, was not around to chat with me when I stopped by for a fish fry—tasty and served with a smile—earlier today. I'm looking forward to finding out more about the place. A couple folks at the bar were able to tell me enough to only whet my appetite further. For example, it used to be a stagecoach stop on the route between Buffalo and Canandaigua. A few folks even swore that much of the furniture inside, including an old liquor cabinet and the bartop, are leftovers from the days when the Eagle likely served sarsparilla and the clientele knew the difference between the withers and the croup.

Anyhow, the Eagle is old, and, according to the bartender who readily admits a fear of the ghosts who haunt the place, it's got its share of stories to tell. Once we find out more about the place, we'll share it with you.

Video: William Morgan (Part Three) - Origins of the Republican Party

By Philip Anselmo

Here it is: the final installment in our three-part video series on William Morgan. Please be sure to check out part one and part two, both posted earlier today.

For more information on the story of William Morgan, visit the Holland Land Office Museum Web site, where you can find an enhanced podcast on the topic. You can also head down to the museum at 131 W. Main St. to check out the Morgan exhibit and to pick up a copy of Morgan's book, Secrets of the Masons Revealed.

Video: William Morgan (Part Two) - Theories: Masons vs. Anti-Masons

By Philip Anselmo

This is the second video in our three-part series on William Morgan. Please, check out part one, The Vanishing of William Morgan, if you have not already done so. Part three should be on its way soon.

For more information on the story of William Morgan, visit the Holland Land Office Museum Web site, where you can find an enhanced podcast on the topic. You can also head down to the museum at 131 W. Main St. to check out the Morgan exhibit and to pick up a copy of Morgan's book, Secrets of the Masons Revealed.

Video: William Morgan (Part One) - The Vanishing of William Morgan

By Philip Anselmo

It has been a while since we've been down at the Holland Land Office Museum to take a look at the artifacts and get a lesson from everybody's favorite local historian, Pat Weissend, the museum's director. Well, to make up for that, we've put together a three part video series on "probably the most important story in the whole Genesee country"...

William Morgan.

Weissend had a lot to say on the subject. Nearly ten minutes worth of a lot to say, in fact. But since it's all so darned interesting, and we just couldn't bring ourselves to edit any of it out, we've instead divided up his tale into three separate videos: The Vanishing of William Morgan, Theories: Masons vs. Anti-Masons, and Origins of the Republican Party. We'll get up part one now and then post the other two later this afternoon. Be sure to watch for them. Enjoy!

For more information on the story of William Morgan, visit the Holland Land Office Museum Web site, where you can find an enhanced podcast on the topic. You can also head down to the museum at 131 W. Main St. to check out the Morgan exhibit and to pick up a copy of Morgan's book, Secrets of the Masons Revealed.

Poll: What has made Genesee County the most famous?

By Philip Anselmo

Yesterday, we got up the announcement of No. 4 in the Holland Land Office Museum's countdown of The Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous. It was none other than the eponymous Holland Land Company.

So... that brings us to the top three, and the way we've got it worked out, there are still five likely contenders for those three slots. Surely, William Morgan and Jell-O will be among those three. But the third is something of a toss up. A couple of our readers suggested the state School for the Blind. Others have suggested Bill Kauffman. Quite a few more were sure that Barber Conable would make the top five. What do you think? What else has a chance at fame?

What else will make the top three famous countdown?
( polls)

Holland Land Company: No. 4 in What Made Genesee County Famous

By Philip Anselmo

The Holland Land Company has made the list of The Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous, landing in fourth place. This picture to the right may look familiar. For those who don't already know, the Holland Land Office Museum inhabits the very same building that was used by the Dutch investors who hired none other than Joseph Ellicott to survey their land purchase for them back in the 18th century.

Pat Weissend, museum director:

The origins of the Holland Land Company go back to 1789, when four Dutch investment firms sent an agent to the United States in search of investment opportunities. The Club of Four, as it was called then, started to buy large tracts of American land in 1792. Two more investment firms joined the original four, creating the Club of Six. The six firms decided to merge their individual holdings into one stock company, and so the Holland Land Company was formed on November 20, 1795.

In September 1797, the company purchased 3.3 million acres of Western New York land from Robert Morris. The plan was to sell off the land in large tracts to speculators and make a quick profit, but the economy changed and they were forced to hang onto the land, develop it and sell it over the next 40 years.

For more info on the Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott, please visit the museum's Web site—there's plenty of interesting links and podcasts and histroy lessons—and be sure to keep up with the countdown. Only three more to go!

Emory Upton: No. 5 in What Made Genesee County Famous

By Philip Anselmo

Most folks around here ought to know the name Emory Upton compatriot of General Sherman, traveler of the world and military documenter and tactician. His patinated likeness stands tall at the monument on the city's west side where Main Street and Ellicott Street join.

Now, Upton has earned himself yet another memorial: a rank of fifth in the Holland Land Office Museum's countdown of The Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous.

Museum Director Pat Weissend tells us: 

In 1875, Upton received orders from General William T. Sherman to leave West Point and go on a world tour to observe and study all the great armies of Asia and Europe. Upton and his group headed west by train to San Francisco, got on a boat and headed to Japan. After observing the Japanese army, they went to China, India, Persia, Turkey, Russia and finally ended up in Western Europe.  Upon his return stateside, he published the book The Armies of Asia and Europe.

Recently, The Batavian sat down with Weissend and County Clerk Don Reed at Main Street Coffee as they worked at transcribing a selection of Upton's letters. (Those letters will be edited and published once the transciption is complete.)

For more on Upton, visit the Holland Land Office Museum online.

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