Photo: Shadigee provided relief from the heat more than a century ago

Photographed at Shadigee: (from left) John J. Ryan, Rev. F.T. Latham, Mrs. Latham, Alberta D. Ryan, Mrs. LeRoy Skinner. Children seated: Lee Skinner, Howard Phillips, Gertrude Skinner and Clare Ryan.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 24

YATES – When temperatures soar, we wonder how previous generations coped with the heat. Summer temperatures in the Buffalo region reached over 90-degrees then also: 95 degrees in 1911 and 1914; 93 degrees in 1913; 91 degrees in 1912.

Shadigee, in the Town of Yates, was a popular summer destination for those who lived in the western end of Orleans County. It first developed as a business port. According to the historic marker at the site, the Yates Pier was built in 1850 to facilitate the shipping of lumber and grain. The Shadigee Hotel, a popular resort, was built in 1860. It was located on the site now occupied by the water treatment plant.

Jeddo photographer, William Eaton, captured this crisp postcard photo of a group enjoying the outdoors. John J. Ryan was a lawyer in Medina. He and Leroy Skinner had an office on the second floor of the Cook Block, Medina. The practice was subsequently continued by Bernard Hart and Thomas C. Mack.

The Ryans resided at 411 West Center St. in Medina, the Skinners lived at 238 West Center. Rev. A.J. Latham was a minister at the Baptist Church.

The presence of the children in the photograph helps pinpoint the date. According to the 1915 Census, Lee Skinner was 10, his sister Gertrude and Clara Ryan were both aged 7. Those ages seem to match, so we can assume that the photo was taken from 1914-1916.

The basket of apples on the ground indicates that the photo was taken later in the season, early September, perhaps. Clutching their dolls, the girls pose happily, while the boys assiduously ignore the camera. Some things never change!