Cayuga County
Historian's
Now and Then
Photo Series

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Then:  The Port Byron Telephone Company was founded on January 11, 1905. Seen above are workers from 1913: Frank Goss, Otis Marshall, C.T. Weston and founder Charles Weston. The early phone company offices were on the second floor over William Dutcher's office. C.T. Weston told his great-grandson that sometimes he would have to walk to Springlake to fix a troublesome line, stay overnight with a subscriber and walk back in the morning. Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 05/29/2005

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Then: In 1875 this bustling commercial street was busy with top hatted and bowlered businessmen. J.E. Smith's barber/hairdressing establishment graced the east corner of Genesee and State, Darius Hubbard sold tobacco, cigars, fruits, nuts and confectionery at 2 State Street. The Chappell House advertised a Billiard Hall with seven bevel tables, it was run by Solomon N. Chappell. William Hayden's clothing store was further down the block as was the Armory on the corner of Dill. On the west corner of State Street and Genesee was The Temperance Oyster House featuring Anamassex River Plants and daily delivery of fresh oysters, it was run by John Cone and W.D. Bundy. Also at #1 were the offices of the weekly Cayuga County Independent newspaper (J.N. Bailey editor), the printing offices of Becker and Hamblin were upstairs. W.M. Thomas and Co. wholesale wine and liquor dealer's shop is prominently displayed.  Mr. W.M. Thomas is also listed in the city directory as the principal keeper of the Auburn Prison and a deputy US Marshall. Louis Schuch was the proprietor of Schuch's Hotel at 13 State (corner of Clark (at that time Clark Street ran through to State Street). Faintly in the background is the statue of Copper John. Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 04/24/2005

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Then: This clock tower was moved to the Moravia fire house when St. Matthew's Episcopal Church was demolished in 1897. After a fire call, the firemen often hung their hoses to dry on the tower. The tower was removed in the 1920's. The second floor of this building was the firemen's lounge. Mayor Meyer remembers a "No Talking" sign promently displayed. In the back of the building was the jail - a local resident often slept there because it was someplace 'warm and dry.' The watering trough in front of the firehouse was installed in the 1880's and was moved to East Cayuga Street in 1926. It was still in use in the 1950's but demolished during a sewer/road widening project. Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 04/17/2005

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Then: In 1904 Hulbert St. ran one block from 39 Clark Street to the Railroad lines. The stick in the hole has measuring units on it. The wagon heading north is from the Independent Brewing Company located at 117-129 Clark Street. The lovely homes included those on the west side: Lehigh Valley R.R. conductor Fred Beecher, William Strong the captain of Hose Company #3, JC Finch, DeWitt Austin a civil engineer, Charles Smith who owned the meat market down the block (at #17) Clarence Barber, Vesta Sittser, the manager of the National Biscuit Company Orville Hoffman, Mrs. Francelia S. Webster, clothier Abraham Kaletsky (Kaletzki), and at #15 a salesman for the next door meat market Andrew Burgess. Cady and Company sold hay, grain and produce at the end of the street. On the east side lived: veterinary surgeon Coral Beardsley, Michael Curtin, Mrs. Anna Bell, the Sisters of St. Joseph Convent (there were 2 others), WG Hoskins, grocer Frank Stringham, Abram Meyer who ran the stables on Green Street and Dennis V. Harrington who was the foreman at the Auburn Gas Company just over the tracks.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 04/10/2005

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Then: This toll house stood just north of the present Route 31 bridge from Montezuma to Savannah. Tolls were collected from those wishing to cross the Montezuma Marsh. Toll roads were a way of life in the beginnings of our country. An argument for toll roads was: "No tax can operate so fair and so easy, as that of paying a turnpike (toll), since every person is 'taxed' in proportion to the benefit he derives from a good road, and all strangers and travelers are made equally tributary to its support. What can be more just?" Travelers were taxed by the number of wheels on their vehicle and or the number of animals pulling the vehicle (much the same as the thruway today) and tolls collected as many times as deemed proper by town authorities (every tenth of a mile, every half mile etc.) Laneways or paths were often used to avoid tollroads, however, in this particular instance travelers would be stuck in the swamp! Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 04/03/2005

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Now: The Colonial Inn at the corners in Meridian is a friendly stop for many northern Cayuga Countians. The structure is considerably smaller now.

Then: This photo of a wonderful structure contains amazing details to help us understand rural commerce in 1920. The sign over the pillars on the front of the building says: "JA Dallas - Furniture and Undertaking". The north end of the building was a Harness Shop (possibly run by W. Burt Tabor a local harness maker) and there are several signs featuring paint cans and touting LeRoy and Lawrence paints. A striped pole is just barely visable at the southeast corner of the structure -- almost every settlement had a local barber. This was called the Follett Block in this old postcard. The signboard on the corner states that Weedsport is 10 miles and Ira 4 miles.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 03/27/2005

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Then: The historic decision to divide East Genesee Street into a divided highway was part of a WPA project in 1931. The median was constructed for this and Lake Ave. Note the trolley tracks curving off and still running north and south on Hoopes Avenue.
 Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 03/13/2005

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Then: - Conquest in 1890 was a thriving community with stores run by Lake and Howell, VanAucken's blacksmith wagon shop, three physicians, and Charles Gilhully's sawmill.  Stores were gathering places and the roads were dirt lined with huge maple trees.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 02/27/2005

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Then: This photo was taken on May 7, 1904 at 10 A.M. in front of the Ames Cash Grocery. We can only surmise what the man in the foreground was reaching for... W.D. Ames ran the store for a number of years. Signs in the windows: 'We sell Egg-O-See, Millers Soap - Proved the Best, Ivory Soap, Fels Naptha.' In 1904 the sidewalks were constructed of boards. In 1915 Fred Whaley ran the grocery, in 1925 a branch of the A&P was at this site. In 1935, one of the Market Basket stores supplied this neighborhood. In 1945, Fred H. Wilson ran the Corner Store as it would be called for the rest of its commercial life. William and Nellie Post owned the store in 1960, part of the store was devoted to The Family Hobby Shop. It was known as the Post Corner Store in the 90's when they diversified to deliver pizza, subs and wings; it became a pizza restaurant in 2000.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 02/06/2005

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Then: The village of Auburn was incorporated on April 18, 1815. The Legislative act made them a legal entity - entitled to raise funds to improve streets and provide fire protection. The first village elections selected the president of Auburn - Joseph Colt. In lieu of taxes, the village sold subscriptions in the above amounts. These subscriptions were issued on May 18, 1815 from the Corporation of the Village of Auburn which promised to pay to the bearer on demand at the office of the president. These were essentially 'shares' for the village of Auburn and devised so that many could have ownership in their village.  To see a larger version of the images, click THEN.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 07/25/04

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Then: This photo of the Island Park Hotel was taken from the 1921 publication "Souvenir of the Finger Lakes Region" published by the Cayuga County News Company. The description reads: "If ever near Auburn visit Island Park, two miles from the city on a macadam road. When you get there you can have a good time by bathing, boating or canoeing. If you want to dance, we have two nice dance halls where you can enjoy yourself. Also a miniature railroad for the kiddies. Parking places for your car. Come and make yourself at home for you are cordially invited to visit this place, where you can have board by the day or week and the prices are within your means."  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 07/18/04

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THEN: Photo was taken in 1898 Sherwood Select School
Background: The building and the land on which it was built were donated by Miss Emily Howland of Sherwood to house the school started by Hepsibeth Hussey in 1871 in a house about a half mile south of the new building. A newspaper clipping at the time stated: “The school is the finest structure of its kind outside the cities anywhere in New York State.”

The private high school, called Sherwood Select School, opened in January, 1883, with between fifty-five and sixty students attending. Tuition was $10 per term. There were four teachers, including Hepsibeth Hussey, who was also principal. The curriculum focused on College Preparatory courses, graduates attending colleges and universities such as Cornell. In 1898, there were three graduates: Charles H. Koon, Herbert H. Lyon, and Ashton M. Otis.

In 1926, the school became a public school—Emily Howland Central School, later Sherwood Central School. Additions were built in 1926, 1936, and 1948. The school continued to grow, both in enrollment, and in course offerings.

In 1954, a major addition was completed, and the original 1883 building, which was in front of (west of) the present building, was torn down.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 07/11/04

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Then: By January 30, 1925 the storm had abated and digging out was continuing. This trolley came to a halt at the corner of Owasco and Genesee with the First Baptist Church in the background. The poster on the trolley is for the Jefferson Theater presenting Keith Vaudeville. (The Jefferson Theater was at 61 State Street.) B.F. Keith was one of the formost vaudeville promotors in the country - his 'polite vaudeville' standards "eliminated vulgarity and suggestiveness in words, action and costume" in all acts at the height of vaudeville success in 1900. By 1925, the Keith circuit had merged vaudeville with motion pictures.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 07/04/04

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Then:(with thanks to Sheila Tucker and Penny Helzer) The first school on this site was the Port Byron Academy. The Academy was built in 1858 at a cost of $10,850. Village students attended freely but students from outside the village were charged $4 per term (in the 1890's the term tuition was increased to $5). The school year consisted of three terms. The school was a three storied brick building on one and one half acres on Church Street. Boys and girls had separate entrances. The first floor had two rooms and served grades 1-4, the second floor grades five through eight and the top floor for high school students. The third floor had two study halls, a recitation room and a small library. The high school courses were similar to a Junior College. The Language and Literature curriculum offered 3 years of German and French, Caesar's Comment, Cicero's Orations, Ovid Metamorphoses, Virgil, Xenophon, Homer and Greek. Certificates were: Law Student, Medical Student, Junior, Academic, English, Classical and Advanced.  The 2004 Port Byron Canal Days committee will be highlighting our school during this summer's celebration. A booklet is being published of school history and memories. If you have school photos, mementos or memories to share, please call Penny Helzer at 315-776-5300.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Scheduled to be published in the CITIZEN on 06/27/04

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Then: Old Home Week was celebrated with many parades from June 24-29, 1906. Businesses on the Whiting Block seen behind this wonderful group of children during the school parade are: Purple Stamp Trading Company at #29, on the second floor Dr. Susan G. Otis had her office, Francis Sebold, piano finisher, and the residence of Elizabeth Kennedy. At 291/2 on the second floor lived Herbert A. Morgan who managed the sales department at CR Egbert, Humphrey H. Barber a clerk at the Osborne Co. and William Hatch on the fourth floor. Eugene A. Miltmore was the proprietor of the New National Hotel at #31 East Genesee which also held the newsroom of Frank Richards and Harry Kerslake's plumbing businesses.  Residents of the New National Hotel included: William and Eliza Wade (he worked at Osborne, she was a button operator), Nellie, Clara and Laura (student at Williams Business College) Hollans, William P. Welch (mill operator) and George W. Allen, a prison guard on the second floor; on the third floor were photographer William Claudius, Howard and Lavinia DaRatt, Charles (carpenter) and Emma (bookkeeper) Raymond, and George C. Bodine who was an employee of A & S Ry. Henry Collins operated a barbershop in the basement. Signor's Drug Store at 33 E. Genesee also carried newspapers and periodicals, Thomas Jones who worked at a meat market lived on the second floor as did Mrs. Helen VanNess; Robert W. Aiken who was employed at the New National Livery was on the 3rd floor. At #35 Henry Herrling was the owner of the Enterprise Market featuring meats, fish, game and poultry, an accountant Legrand L. Aldrich lived on the second floor and Mark I. Koon, a carpenter on the 3rd. The last building that can be seen in the photo contained Ernest Crandall's grocery with Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes on the 2nd floor and delivery clerk Warren B. Houghten on the third.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Pub. in the CITIZEN on 06/20/04

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Then: Second in our series of photos from the Blizzard of 1925. From the pages of the Advertiser-Journal on Thursday, January 29, 1925 - Road Officials Shorten Confab As Snow Falls: Town highway superintendents who gathered in Auburn this afternoon had a practical demonstration of snow removal on county roads, the principal subject for discussion. The "supers" went to the Grand Theater, where they watched snow removal pictures, while outside the snow fell in whirling heaps of white threatening to tie up traffic completely. Before the meeting opened some of the roads were so badly blocked that several of the superintendents were unable to attend. (Photo provided by Mr. James Moore).  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Pub. in the CITIZEN on 06/13/04

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Then: This lovely home at 39 William Street belonged to George and Sarah Harbottle. Their daughter Cornelia married Edward H. Thomson on June 5, 1878. Edward Thomson was a partner with Knapp, Peck and Thomson, publishers of the Auburn Daily Advertiser. He was also an alderman of the 9th ward in 1890 and in 1903 chairman of the Cayuga County Republican Committee. Sarah Harbottle lived with her daughter and son-in-law for many years at this site. In 1910 the property was purchased by E.D. Melcalf. Harold Metcalf and his family resided at this address while he rose from General Manager of Colombian Rope (1920) to President (1930) to Chairman (1950 - 70). In 1972 he was listed as Honorary Chairman and in 1973 the property was sold for professional offices.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Pub. in the CITIZEN on 06/06/04

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Then: (photo courtesy of James Moore): "Dr. Johnson's car corner Exchange and Genesee St. Jan." This snowstorm was January 29 and 30 of 1925.  Storefronts pictured are at #99 Irving S. Colwell, bookseller ground  floor, Emanuel Bronner, loans on the second floor and Fred G. Crofoot lived on the third. Varlan and Mehas Confectionery was at #101, on the second floor was the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross with Mrs. Elizabeth Watson as the nurse .and the residence of Mrs. Riria Day. The F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 Store occupied #103-105 with Jeffrey's Garment Shop on the second floor. Liverman and Levy Department Store was at #107 and The Charles H. Sagar Co. druggist at #109 with Dr. S. Walton Day, physician/surgeon and tailor Fred E. Beck sharing the 2nd floor. Incidentallly, Dr. Johnson's office was at 156 Genesee, it must have taken a couple of days to shovel his car from the snowpile. The Auburn Daily Advertiser's two inch headlines proclaimed: WHOLE STATE BURIED UNDER HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IN DECADES; MANY ACCIDENTS; BLIZZARD PARALYZES TRAFFIC ON RAILROADS AND HIGHWAYS; CLOSES SCHOOLS IN CITY, RURAL DISTRICTS. The editorial on the 30th said in part: "A shovel is a puny instrument in the face of this display of nature's omnipotence." Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Moore we have several photographs of this storm that we will be sharing in the next few weeks.  To see a larger version of the images, click NOW & THEN.  Pub. in the CITIZEN on 05/30/04