ALBION – Our snapshot taken during World War I shows Co. N. 74 Reg. NYS Guard parading up South Main Street in Albion.
Appearing in this 1917 picture are Capt. John Beckwith, Rev. Ford of the First Baptist Church, First Lt. Lynn Burrows, Bert Bidelman and George Houghton.
Note the vintage autos parked along the street. The house in the background (upper right) was the Waterman residence, which was torn down in 1956. This is now the site of Tim Hortons.
ALBION – Perchance this photo was taken on Flag Day during the 1940s in downtown Albion.
Walter’s dress shop shows to the left before it moved up the street. This is now Fischer’s Newsroom.
In the middle we see Harris Freemans Drug Store, which later was owned by Marvin and Alice Sayles. On the corner is the Charles Tibbits Jewelry Store. We also note DeLuca’s Shoe Repair sign above Walter’s dress shop.
ALBION – Officers of the Catholic Daughters are shown here with Father Eugene Slomba, assistant priest of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, back in the mid-1960s.
Front row, from left: Florence Pilato, Cecelia Leigh, Grace Monacelli and Dorothy Murray.
Back row: Lena Manella, Catherine DiLaura, Jean Shervin, Father Slomba, Elizabeth Eckert and Corinne Pahura.
This picture was taken at what was then the new K of C hall on East Avenue in Albion.
MEDINA – In this view from April 3, 1914, we see the construction that was taking place on the Medina Canal Basin.
The top of the aqueduct over the Oak Orchard Creek shows in the lower left. Wooden forms are seen for the high retaining wall in the center, which is being worked on.
In the middle background is the tower of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Steam-powered equipment was in use at the time.
WEST BARRE – A child watches as August Rhodey of West Barre nails a horseshoe to a horse’s hoof.
This picture from around 100 years ago shows his blacksmith shop in the background. Horse shoeing and repairing were the most common things a blacksmith did at the time this picture was taken.
An itinerant photographer took this picture of an apiarist showing off his beehives during the first decade of the 20th Century.
A one-room schoolhouse shows in the background. A telephone pole may also be seen directly behind the beekeeper.
It is believed the picture was taken in either the Town of Barre or Town of Clarendon.
A glass negative was used for this image. Note the wooden boxes of combed honey on either side of the beekeeper along with the bee smoker device in front.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Canadians fought in the Civil War
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ken Miller of Niagara on the Lake in Canada portrays Gen. James Longstreet, a commander in Northern Virginia under director of Robert E. Lee, who called Longstreet “Old War Horse.”
For the past three days Ken Miller of Niagara on the Lake in Canada transformed in General James Longstreet. Miller was one of the most popular re-enactors at the Civil War Encampment at Medina.
He traveled down Main Street by carriage in a parade on Saturday. He also joined other generals in meeting customers at Medina diners.
Miller brewed coffee over an open fire at his camp site at the Medina GCC Campus. He welcomed conversation.
Miller can talk the finer points of combat in the Civil War. But he prefers to talk about Canada’s role in the war. Canadians had about 60,000 men in the war, including 11,500 in the Confederacy.
“Most people don’t know that,” Miller said.
He goes to about dozen Civil War Encampments each year. Many are in Canada. He is happy to cross the border and join events in the States.
“I like to teach and promote Canada’s involvement,” Miller said.
Engineers were valued for building bridges – fast
Ray Ball of West Seneca wears a slouch hat and portrays J.C. Duane, who served in the U.S. Engineers. ‘The insignia of the Engineers was a source of pride,” he said.
The Civil War soldiers traveled in huge processionals, sometimes 13 miles long with supplies, weapons and the infantry. And they were often crossing the wilderness.
The U.S. Engineers were invaluable, and they were tasked with building bridges, barracks and forts – “bridges especially,” said Ray Ball, who portrays J.C. Duane, an engineer in the war.
“It’s our job to put together bridges – very fast,” he said.
Ball is a history teacher at West Seneca. He served with the engineers in the Army about three decades ago. Many of the leading officers and generals, such as Robert E. Lee, were engineers.
“The engineers were guarded,” Duane said. “They saw very little combat.”
Duane marvels at how the engineers would use raw timber to build sturdy supports, especially for cannons that weighed 19,000 pounds.
Camaraderie for friends and family in war
Lyne Lain and her husband Harry are Confederate soldiers in the 21st Georgia.
Lyne Lain and her husband Harry Lain are in their second season traveling to encampments as Confederate soldiers. Lyne portrayed a soldier she called “Len.”
She slept in tents on chilly nights in Medina as part of this weekend’s encampment. She and her husband and their son Bill left the comforts of home to join about 100 other re-enactors in Medina.
“It doesn’t bother me, sleeping in a tent,” she said. “I enjoy these events because you meet a lot of neat people.”
Mrs. Lain cooks over an open fire and shuns modern technology, at least for a weekend.
“I’m an avid hunter,” she said. “I enjoy being a part of it.”
She and her husband own a cider mill in Canisteo in Steuben County. They also have a logging business and a dairy farm.
The Lains also host their own Civil War Encampment. This year it’s June 7-8, overlooking the Canisteo Valley.
They came to Medina for the weekend to support the encampment and welcome re-enactors and the public to their event: “The Battle at Lain’s Mill.”
“If you don’t celebrate other people’s events, they won’t come to yours,” Mr. Lain said.
Lincoln has ‘instant recognition’ with public
David Kreutz has been an Abraham Lincoln presenter since 1996. He is retired from General Motors, where he worked in production, drove a forklift and “did a little bit of everything.”
David Kreutz of Lancaster draws a crowd at Civil War re-enactments. No one is more recognizable. Kreutz has been an Abraham Lincoln presenter since 1996. He is one if 186 in the country in the Association of Lincoln Presenters.
He has attended many national events and met presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
“Other than Christ, Lincoln is the most famous person,” Kreutz said. “You have instant recognition.”
Kreutz is tall like Lincoln and enjoys mingling with the crowd. On Saturday morning in Medina he visited six restaurants. He also posed for pictures in the Bent’s Opera House, which was built during the Civil War.
He rode in carriage during a parade with a re-enactor portraying General Grant.
Photos by Sue Cook – The following were recognized as Heritage Heroes on Friday at GCC during the Civil War Encampment, from left: Bill Lattin, Matthew Ballard, Chris Busch, Robert Waters (also accepting for Craig Lacey), and Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan (accepting on behalf of Erin Anheier).
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Five Orleans County residents were honored in the inaugural class of Heritage Heroes on Friday night. The ‘Heroes’ included a lifetime achievement award for Bill Lattin, the county historian who has been active in many preservation projects at the Cobblestone Society Museum, Mount Albion Cemetery and many other local efforts.
“Not only are they deserving, they are worth of emulation,” said Derek Maxfield, a GCC history professor who served on the Heritage Heroes Committee. “The concentration of people here that are worried about history and heritage is remarkable.”
Maxfield pushed to recognize local residents who have saved buildings, cared for cemeteries, and fought to change a culture that often prefers demolition over restoration.
The Heritage Heroes were presented framed certificates, and citations from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Sen. George Maziarz. County Legislator Bill Eick presented the award winners with citations from the County Legislature.
Robert Waters received an award for being active in the Medina community with the repurposing of the Medina Armory and the founding of the Medina Sandstone Society. He has committed to many efforts to bring history into the present.
“They say you can’t live in the past,” Waters said. “That’s a lot of baloney.”
Waters wants the community to look to the past for inspiration about boldness and courage. This should be a push for people to reflect and want to make the present even better.
Waters also accepted an award on Craig Lacy’s behalf, as Lacy was unable to attend. Lacy has been an active participant in Medina as well, including his term as former president and current vice president of the Medina Historical Society. He also compiled a book of articles written by former Medina Village Historian Russell J. Waldo entitled “Medina’s Hitching Post Days.”
“I don’t think anybody can appreciate the hundreds and maybe thousands of hours it took him to produce the thick volumes of columns Mr. Waldo did many years ago. Craig pulled this out of nowhere and brought it to life,” Waters said.
Matthew Ballard of Albion accepted his award for his genealogical support of the Polish community. A noteworthy achievement is his creation of a Polish genealogy website – Albionpolonia.com. Ballard wanted to highlight the contributions of the Polish community.
Ballard said he never expected to be recognized for his work. “For me it’s always been a labor of love.”
Erin Anheier was also unable to attend the evening’s event. In her place, Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan accepted the award. She explained that Anheier found her love of history through her family, especially her mother.
Anheier has helped Clarendon to see the importance of its history through its buildings and was able to get a few listed on the National Register, including her cobblestone home, the Old Stone Store and Hillside Cemetery.
Chris Busch is also an advocate of historic preservation. He has been a part of the Bent Opera House restoration, as well as St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He has worked to keep Medina’s historical character.
He serves as chairman of Medina’s Planning Board, which has set policy for preserving the character of the historic downtown business district.
Chris Busch, left, is recognized by GCC Dean Jim Simon.
Busch recalled that he was fascinated in school learning about World War II and when his father found out, he told Busch “I was there.” That real connection to history was driven home to Busch/ He said he appreciated what he learned even more and knows that it is a part of his own personal history.
“This is truly humbling to be honored for something that is simply me,” he said.
Lastly, Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin was surprised with an award for his services. Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers explained Lattin’s ability to find the extraordinary ordinary in front of all of us.
Lattin commits to spreading history wherever he goes and encourages the community, including students, to get involved in the preservation, whether it is buildings, photographs or stories.
“Those who forget the past have no future,” Lattin said, quoting his father, a former county historian.
The Heritage Heroes have given the community something to strive for in their own lives. Whether it is simply cleaning up a neighborhood or preserving old photographs, Orleans County has role models for improving our lives through the remembrance of our past.
HOLLEY – Shown here are members of the girls basketball team for Holley High School in 1923-1924.
It’s interesting to note they stood on the front steps of St. Mary’s Church for this picture.
Front row, from left: Mildred Ventriss “Cicero”, center; Ferne Wilson “Bozo”, guard (captain); Ruth Cole “Cashi”, sub – side center; and Evelyn Robinson “Bolzy”, forward.
Top row: Dorothy Neidert “Darcy”, forward; Louise Wilson “Louise”, guard; Doris Cole “Dor”, coach; Georgia Smith “Fat”, side center (manager); and Anita Brockway “Neat”, sub – forward.
