1 200 4216 https://nthistory.com/files/original/22f7e4444f2cb76b2e959fcccfcf5a1d.pdf 0048e28d956d99eacdde7297680cd8ea Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Court of Appeals Case No. 254, Folios 10851–1089; John Chadwick v. John Fonner et al., 1876.pdf Description An account of the resource Court of Appeals case and exceptions in the Johnson/Fonner land dispute, 1849–1876 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1876 https://nthistory.com/files/original/629b1b5678c5a6e44e93eff351be263e.pdf 6ae9bfac8cc913d954ac5db2c83550f4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool renovation plans (1986-11-11).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-11-11 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e48a4f3274e1771b7c4d117fb248210d.jpg ce7d789d8cfb834403c187867c569bda https://nthistory.com/files/original/eefa673fcea5d1e2e9d7d18822f76e61.jpg 37a1495b23e43d3c15b3127e2ff1f5b0 https://nthistory.com/files/original/5c26daebbc34aff1eddde73b75bc4f2c.jpg a520cd79be2916c70ee5c72c2546f529 https://nthistory.com/files/original/f3b9fe0f4db9962c9cdeca958740c5c2.jpg 45ec9bbfe5ea5aa6f8f7c35b22c2d1fe https://nthistory.com/files/original/69315a69ef65183f0e26c9facbc0d015.jpg e07df5d6b49fb0bfcac65d4bfde86802 https://nthistory.com/files/original/3e7be2ae910654691da7f859c2416d7e.jpg b14fa99efa367ac8a1acd1680a986841 https://nthistory.com/files/original/5eda079b200139fe00b7cae9d07a0819.jpg be0654d697af99e3cc01110f65b205f1 https://nthistory.com/files/original/6f78636914795005f5085dbeea99cdc6.jpg 6640f6a11a66ec2db7d7834757377728 https://nthistory.com/files/original/186c509f482c9fdef50584265c6ecb80.jpg 0c373b11e015030050130bc2f9d12d37 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool, North Tonawanda, selected original blueprints (Wesley Bintz, 1946).gal Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1946 https://nthistory.com/files/original/347502e6660a373e65ea69808c1dd5f2.jpg ac55a4ea568f92607dd4d7fe94c418b9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Testimonial from Pop Ramsay for Bintz Memorial Pool (Modern Swimming, catalog p53, letter 1948-07-22).jpg Description An account of the resource On Department of Recreation letterhead. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1948-07-22 https://nthistory.com/files/original/0f0a88cb17f514f84a8474cc60a4623f.pdf 3bc693ef6aa08cb565d5f7c06b1ac6fe https://nthistory.com/files/original/b1dc573f20b9a14146854f8aee2fd560.jpg e81c8d5174304525ce6e1f4edea272d2 https://nthistory.com/files/original/851b1f930ffb7948c5479ac164140381.jpg 25349ba40bab3da531c1aa8d6a3624b6 https://nthistory.com/files/original/6ad599b86ee58e4d1b1b5774bb6b613b.jpg 15d2c87b14b1792504ebc99be72e7b24 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c4eb73af0700622ce89657c2c94049fc.jpg c0ac5261ad505bbaefad7fb11fc1e48c https://nthistory.com/files/original/7ed477ecb6542edcd9d666676044c969.jpg 5b500db157dad8772a8633fab189a41b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Modern Swimming Pools, catalog of Bintz pools (complete text), plus NT-related excerpts (1950).pdf Description An account of the resource Loaded with photos, ads, financial breakdowns and testimonials for Wesley Bintz-designed pools. Excerpts include the Kiddies Wading Pool which was a feature of the original Payne Park Memorial Pool before making way for the guard house, and an illustration of the "Extended Front" which North Tonawanda's pool would have had but for budgetary restrictions. <a href="https://archive.org/details/wesley-bintz-1950">Also at archive.org</a>. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 https://nthistory.com/files/original/57cdcbf1cd14471abe0118121fa4a116.jpg 71f499a7ea0a551acddc64876c5c46af Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pickard family get Jacob Hook's land south of Johnsons, notice (1866-07-09).jpg Description An account of the resource By 1866, the land immediately south of the Johnson twelve-acre corner was being sold under court judgment against Jacob Hook and others. That helps show the Johnson parcel had a recognizable boundary at its southern edge before the later Fonner/Chadwick judgment deed. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1866-07-09 https://nthistory.com/files/original/d16edd5284795751394b76c1adce414e.jpg 56c73ca5fe99a99eba575c3d69ceb739 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Johnsons' 12.4 acres in Lot 10, 1938 aerial photo.jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938 Description An account of the resource 10 chains x 12 chains, 40 links. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Riverside Chemical Company (1906-present) Description An account of the resource From <a href="http://www.rivchem.com/about.html">their website</a>: <blockquote> Riverside Chemical was founded in 1906 by A. C. Rasch. The business started running out of the basement of a grocery store at the corner of Oliver Street and Porter Avenue in North Tonawanda, NY. In those beginning years, the company focused on household supplies such as ammonia, bluing, vanilla extract and other extracts. Mr. Rasch founded the company on the simple principle of providing a good product, for a good price, with special attention to customer service and community involvement. Later Mr. Rasch began manufacturing products to serve the needs of horse drawn wagons and industrial machines. The company produced axle grease and other grease for machinery, as well as leather oils, harness preservatives and hoof dressing. When the automobile age began, Mr. Rasch developed a non-chatter oil for Model T cars which launched the company into a new era. Dr. Carl H. Rasch (1904-1980) In 1929 the company moved their facility to the current location on River Road in North Tonawanda, NY. During the 1940's and 1950's the company was managed by A. C. Rasch's sons, George A. Rasch and Dr. Carl H. Rasch. In 1959 Dr. Carl H. Rasch was appointed as President of the company. Dr Rasch had worked at Riverside since the early 1930's, and had also earned Ph.D. Degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Buffalo and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rasch was responsible for another large growth period in the company as he expanded the business product lines to include high purity chemicals and food grade additives as well as dramatically increasing their industrial product lines. Dr. Rasch remained President until he passed away in 1980. The 1980s began the third generation of the family run business as Dr. Carl H. Rasch's sons Peter C. Rasch became President and Jon A. Rasch as Vice President. Both had worked for Riverside for many years before taking charge in 1980. Peter Rasch has continued to grow the business, while also minding the principals that had been set by his grandfather so many years ago. Riverside's success has been enhanced by its high ethical business practices; commitment to community, customers, employees and the environment. </blockquote> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Montgomery Rasch, obituary (Buffalo News, 1969-07-28) Description An account of the resource Montgomery Rasch Dies at 39; Leader In North Tonawanda Memorial services for Montgomery Rasch, 39, businessman and community leader, will be held 11 AM tomorrow in the First United Methodist Church. Mr. Rasch, a member of the church's official board, died Saturday night (July 26, 1969) after a long illness. A community leader in North Tonawanda, he was chairman of the North Tonawanda Youth Board three years. He also served as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, past skipper of Sea Scouts Ship 428 and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 860. In January he was named Elk of the Year, the first person so honored. He held numerous positions in the lodge, among them chairman of youth activities for 10 years. He also was past district chairman of youth activities the New York State Lodge.' Mr. Rasch was past district commander of Tonawanda District Boy Scouts, a past chairman and former member of the Niagara County Juvenile Aid Bureau, Fund worker and a a a a a a of the "member executive board of the Niagara City Association of Town Superintendents. He was vice-president of Riverside Chemical Co., North Tonawanda. He attended North Tonawanda schools, Greenbriar Military Academy, Lewisburg, W. Va., and The Citadel, Charleston, S. C. He served four years with the Navy. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Marion H. Anthony; his wife, the former Marilyn Kowsky; three children, Montgomery Edward, Margaret and Martha; and a sister, Mrs. Gretchen R. Denk of Lewiston. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1969-07-28 obit https://nthistory.com/files/original/d7e39fe00141e8dff3208c7c87baa5f3.pdf e450d2a51223349f213402e5d4dd19c7 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ffd924a8b7b3d90c6bf8214b2d60e864.pdf 34629441ba0e95132652469f54462b43 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c8f6e157c2f586c75adc2c3c08e23017.pdf f26253b5f1f8fce22f2c8dabc6bf0593 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e756de16c7f7f9be8ba5bab762542589.pdf 84ba4fd3d44cd842648c7e83a7fc8328 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sea Explorers Busy at Their Local Base, other Sea Wolf photos, article (Tonawanda News, 1950-10-03).pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/71807e295c3e8fffa3c1baf0a57a268b.jpg 4a1743f7bbe797cd84cc685e5392612a https://nthistory.com/files/original/04a4eef916bd2e2a08c50d7ec859279f.jpg b380b66ba35b5854b3e7c5fe4519f0e5 https://nthistory.com/files/original/4d3f2959a395bb48f0d88d6e64d9c1d5.jpg f56cc2ba45a9beaefe1f0abfccf0762b https://nthistory.com/files/original/876bfeb49b25fb99e8ef5190a7ac5eb5.jpg e4e2faba981d2289078bea60543f9edf https://nthistory.com/files/original/920d711806ee2127cdc9aa4129c086b8.jpg 01fe252630fb1ac325bb1f364ff36766 https://nthistory.com/files/original/9d05cb472eaf0b6f4a2e29823e28fbf5.jpg 4058b3a21d84bcd9c7d967c9a891a08e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sweeney Cemetery register, excerpts.jpg Description An account of the resource Showing John Chadwick, Jesse Locke. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1868 https://nthistory.com/files/original/505d6ae0244eec8e8cfbdeade4f717ef.png 39ebe5857a42c61fe34bf07ea8f6220a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sweeney Cemetery Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Old graves in Sweeney Cemetery" src="http://nthistory.com/custom/cover/76-1.jpg" /> PHOTO: Dennis Reed Jr. The future Colonel John Sweeney Rural Cemetery appears (a tad north of the current grounds) <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4225">on an 1837 map</a> under the name "Tonawanda Cemetery." Neal writes that it is originally a Sweeney family burial ground. In the 1840s and 1850s bodies from the south side <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4226">Tonawanda burying grounds</a> are moved to Sweeney Cemetery (the Tonawanda burying grounds was "<a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4035#village-of-tonawanda">a short distance</a>" below Tonawanda Creek near the Niagara River, and erosion was indifferently disinterring the bodies). The cemetery is incorporated in 1868 as "Colonel John Sweeney Rural Cemetery." <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2383">Its namesake</a> is an early land investor and War of 1812 veteran. From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606">History of Niagara County 1821-1878</a> (1878): <blockquote>The village has a cemetery, which was organized under the statute, in the year 1868. The incorporators were: Benjamin F. Felton, Garwood L. Judd, Franklin Warren, Hiram Hewell, Selden G. Johnson and John Simpson. Mr. Hewell was the first president, and Mr. Felton the first secretary of the board of organization. At the first meeting of the board of trustees, Mr. Felton presented the corporation with a splendid book for the keeping of the records. Much credit is due to Messrs. Felton, Warren and Judd for the labor and interest they took in organizing the enterprise. Mr. Judd drew up the articles of association; and being an attorney, obtained the requisite order from court, sanctioning the articles of incorporation, which were duly recorded in the office of the county clerk.</blockquote> By 1887, the rural cemetery is filling up, and looking to expand: <blockquote>The Sweeney Cemetery association is making preparations to secure more burial space, the original plot of ground having been all taken. At a recent meeting a committee consisting of B. H. Neff, B. F. Fenton and H. Berger was appointed to investigate the advisability of purchasing additions to the cemetery - Suspension Bridge Journal, April 9, 1887.</blockquote> Around 1920 about 100 graves that stretched across Thompson Street are moved within the cemetery's present limits, including 18 adults and 8 children from a Potter's Field, or removed to other cemeteries. In 1977 the City of North Tonawanda assumes ownership for $1. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/agenbyte/albums/72157604940790322/">My photos of the cemetry on Flickr.</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cemetery minutes trustees 1868-1878.docx Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1868 Description An account of the resource <article class="cemetery-minutes"> Minutes of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association <section> <h2>Organization meeting — February 12, 1868</h2> Cemetery minutes trustees 1868-1921 To the board of trustees of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery with the compliments of your BF Felton Tonawanda Minutes of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association Organized under a provision of an act authorizing the incorporation of Rural Association Vol 2nd P.P 635 Received Statutes of State Of New York Meetings of the citizens of Tonawanda Erie Co. in N.Y. and of the Citizens of North Tonawanda Niagara Co N.Y. having met at the council room of the Village of North Tonawanda Niagara co NY want it to notice Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Hiram Newell</li> <li>Jacob Baker</li> <li>Edmond T (Ages?)</li> <li>George Backer</li> <li>David Robinson</li> <li>Elias P Brown</li> <li>Charles C Harris</li> <li>George W Sherman</li> <li>Benjamin F Felton</li> <li>George (?)</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> <li>Whitman Jacobs</li> <li>Lewis S Payne</li> <li>Garwood L Judd</li> </ul> On motion hon Hiram Newell was appointed president and Garwood Judd Secretary. It was moved and carried that we do now form a corporation under and by virtue of the statute + Known by the name of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association. It was moved + it was moved and carried that six trustees be elected to compose a board of trustees of said cemetery. The following named gentlemen were by ballot duly elected. <ul class="names"> <li>Franklin Warren</li> <li>Benjamin S Felton</li> <li>Hiram Newell</li> <li>Seldon Johnson</li> <li>John Simson</li> <li>Garwood L Judd</li> </ul> The president and secretary did then immediately proceed to classify as follows. First class: <ul class="names"> <li>Horam Newell</li> <li>Garwood Judd</li> </ul> Second class: <ul class="names"> <li>John Simson</li> <li>Benjamin F Felton</li> </ul> Third class: <ul class="names"> <li>Franklin Warren</li> <li>Seldon Johnson</li> </ul> Motion was made and carried that the annual meeting in each year of the board of trustees shall be on the first Tuesday at 2 o’clock in the month of February. On motion the meeting is now adjourned. Signed: <ul class="names"> <li>Garwood Judd</li> <li>Horam Newell</li> </ul> The above meeting was held on the 12th Feb 1868 </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of trustees of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association held at the office of GL Judd North Tonawanda Feb 19, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>John Simson</li> <li>Hiram Newell</li> <li>Seldon G Johnson</li> <li>Benj F Felton</li> <li>Garood L Judd</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> </ul> On motion it was resolved that the following named gentlemen be chosen for the next year: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson President</li> <li>Garwood L Judd Vice “</li> <li>Benjamin F Felton Secretary</li> <li>Hon Hiram Newell (?)</li> </ul> On motion BF Felton was appointed a committee to inform Mr James Sweeney of the formation of this association and request his presence at the next meeting. On motion Mr F Warren was appointed a committee to inform Mrs C Sweeney of the formation of this association and to obtain such papers as were in her possession voluntarily to this association and present them to the secretary. GL Judd John Simson </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the Board of Trustees for Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association held at the office of Sheldon Johnson Tonawanda July 1, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson</li> <li>GL Judd</li> <li>BF Felton</li> <li>H Newell</li> <li>John Simson</li> </ul> Meeting called to order by the president and the following business transacted. The secretary presented a deed of a certain portion of land known as the Col. John Sweeney’s Rural Cemetery grounds which has been given to the association by the heirs of Col John Sweeney. On motion the aforesaid was accepted and and the secretary was instructed to have the same recorded in the Niagara Clerks Office. On motion Hon Hiram Newell was appointed superintendent of the cemetery grounds. On motion GL Judd Esq. was appointed a committee to procure a statement of all monies received or paid out for improvements upon said cemetery grounds previous to the present time. On motion the secretary was appointed a committee to ascertain persons who have possession of certain lots in said cemetery grounds and ascertain the amounts due for said lots have been paid by them. On motion the secretary was (?) to procure such stationary as may be required for the use of this affirmation. On motion it was resolved that no burials will be allowed within the cemetery grounds without the written permission of the superintendent and that the secretary notify persons interested of the said resolution. On motion the office of Seldon Johnson was chosen as the office of this association and decided that all meetings should be held at that place. On motion the board adjourned until July 2nd at 8’Oclock PM. BF Felton Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of Col. John Sweeney Rural cemetery association held at the office of Seldon Johnson Tonawanda July 2nd, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson</li> <li>GL Judd</li> <li>BF Felton</li> <li>Hiram Newell</li> <li>John Simson esq</li> </ul> The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. On motion Mr John Simson was appointed a committee to procure a suitable set of stairs to be placed in the south west corner of the cemetery grounds for the purpose of entering the cemetery. On motion the secretary was requested to report a form of Rules + Deeds + submit the same at the next meeting On a motion the meeting was adjourned to Thursday July 9th 1868 at 8 o’clock PM BF Felton Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery ? held at the office of Seldon Johnson Tonawanda July 9th 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson president</li> <li>Hiram Newell</li> <li>Garwood Judd</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> </ul> Minutes of the last not present therefore not read. GL Judd reported that he had received a written statement of HP Smith + the NY Erie Bank which was received to be acted upon by the board when called of. On motion the superintendent was instructed to employ Franklin Warren and other men to clean the walks and avenues in the cemetery and the amount of labor expended for such purpose shall not exceed the amount of one hundred dollars. On motion it was resolved the the president and ? be requested to executed deeds of lots to all parties who will pay for their lots and collect the money for the same until the next meeting of the board. On motion the meeting was adjourned until July 23rd at 8 O’clock PM GL Judd </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of Trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural cemetery Association held at the office of S Johnson Tonawanda July 23, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secretary</li> <li>Hiram Newell Mas</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> </ul> Meeting called to order by the president and the minutes of the meeting of July 23 and July 9th were read and approved. The committee read rules and deeds reported and on motion the form henceforth which were then used and adopted. The committee treasurer upon the lots reported persons who had not paid + those who had paid for their lots as far as could be ascertained. In pursuance of motion authorizing the president + treasurer to issue a deeds to Cap Chas Kelly Lot #2 Section E for the sun of $215.00 The supt of the cemetery reported an expense of 38 days labor to the amount of $60. Said report not including the services of F Morrison? <pre class="ledger">Also another expense to the amount of $9.00 for stake + lettering.</pre> On motion the president was appointed a committee to collect monies due for lots to tell the next meeting. On motion it was resolved that the sum of $10 be collected upon such lots ? …………added to the present price ? were issued by JD Vandervoort attorney. Monies due on all lots for the amount of funds for stamps to which accrue from the issuance of the new deeds. On motion the president and vice president were authorized to sell + receive moneys for the payment of the lots and issue the proper deeds therefor. On motion the president be authorized ti issue a deed to Elder Joshua Vincent to lot no 2 Section A for the amount of $15. On motion the meeting was then adjourned. BF Felton Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association held at the offices of S Johnson Tonawanda October 8, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Seldon Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secretary</li> <li>Hiram Newell Treasurer</li> <li>Franklin Warren esq</li> </ul> The meeting was called to order and the minutes from the last meeting of July 23rd read and approved. <pre class="ledger">The treasurer made report as follows Receipts since organization $206. Disbursements $83 Details for the receipts and disbursements will be found in cash book with the respective dates.</pre> On motion and order was directed to be drawn on the ? of Hiram Newell treasurer for the amount of $84 for bill rendered. On motion an order was directed to be drawn on by the treasurer in the amount of $27 for labor as per bill rendered. On motion an order was directed to be drawn in favor of John Simson for the amount of $14 as payment for building steps + for lumber for the same as per bill rendered. On motion the superintendent was directed to have the gate removed from it’s present location to the proper place as designated upon the cemetery map. On motion the superintendent was authorized to open and clean such avenues as be may deemed ? at the present time On motion the secretary was directed to notify the individuals who occupy lots unpaid for that they must pay for the same of remove the bodies deposited upon the lots. The persons to whom the secretary was requested to give said notice were: <ul class="names"> <li>John Chadwick</li> <li>Mrs N Nugent</li> <li>A McGregory</li> <li>Marshal Fales</li> <li>David Robinson</li> <li>Mrs H Stanley</li> <li>Chas Calkins</li> <li>Thomas Ronley</li> <li>Mrs. James Ensley</li> <li>Mrs Moore</li> <li>?</li> <li>SS McMerrick</li> </ul> On motion the meeting was adjured subsequent to ? Call. BF Felton Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Col. John Sweeney Cemetery Association held in the office of Seldon Johnson Nov 20, 1868</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson Pres</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secre.</li> <li>H Newell Treas.</li> <li>F Warren</li> <li>J Simson</li> </ul> Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. <pre class="ledger"> The secretary reported notices to the persons occupying lots that were unpaid for . The treasurer reported the recept of $40 from the nugent , $25 from Mrs HP Stanley, $10 from GL Judd, and $25 from Wm Simson. Your treasurer also reported the following distribuments To BF Betts surveying $100 “ Sunday Persons $40 days labor $61.10 “ M Simson “ “ “ $2.00 D Bellinger for team $1.00 For stamps $2.00 On motion the order was drawn on the treasurer as follows in favor of H Newell paid for labor $66.60 Wm Simson $45.00</pre> The subject matter of persons rendering services unpaid for upon the cemetery grounds was presented and the following bills were duly presented. Bill for services of Mr E Brown amounting to $62.12 upon which was ordered the sum of $57. Balances due Mr Brown $12.12 <pre class="ledger"> And on motion an order was drawn for the amount for the same. Also like bill presented from John Simson for the amount of $75. And on motion an order was drawn up for that amount. Also like Bill was presented from AG Kent for the amount of $25 and on motion and order was drawn up in that amount. Also like Bill presented from HP Smith for excess of payments over receipts of $21.87. The secretary was was directed to notify HP Smith that an over was directed to be drawn in his favor for the amount of $21.87 and upon paying to the treasurer the amount of $58.13 deeds for lots no. sec. Would be given to him.</pre> On motion the president was directed to enforce compliance with resolution ? served upon persons occupying unpaid for. On motion the meeting was adjured. BF Felton. Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of Trustees for Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association held at the office of S Johnson Feb 7th 1869</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secretary</li> <li>Hiram Newell Treasurer</li> </ul> Meeting was called to order and the minutes from the last meeting were read + Approved. The treasurer reported he had received from Summer Newman $20 from GL Judd 50/100 from WM Hancock $12. From SP Hastings $10 <pre class="ledger">Also reported the following disbursements.</pre> Paid LS Payne for recording in Niagara County Clerks Office the articles of the association and the deed of the grounds in the sum of $3. + for stamps $5. On motion Saturday the 2nd day of Feb 1869 at 2 O’clock was designated as the time for the elections of office in place of GL Judd + Hiram Newell whose term of office expired at that date. On motion the meeting was adjured til the 25th of Feb 1869 at 2 oclock pm. BF Felton Secy </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of Trustees for Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association held Tonawanda Feb 24 1869</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>SG Johnson Pres</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secry</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> </ul> Meeting called to order and the minutes of the last meeting read The stated day for the election of the trustees having arrived- On motion the lot owners conceded to the election. Upon Canvas of the votes, the following gentlemen were elected for the trustees: <ul class="names"> <li>GL Judd</li> <li>Hiram Newell</li> </ul> On motion the meeting was duly adjourned. </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of trustees for Col.John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association of the office if SG Johnson Tonawanda on May 14, 1869</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>SG Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>BF Felton Secry</li> <li>Hiram Newell Treasurer</li> <li>F Warren esq</li> </ul> Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. On motion the board proceeded to elect superintendent for the ensuing year and James Carney was duly elected. On motion the meeting was adjourned for one month. BF Felton Secry </section> <section> <h2>Regular meeting of the board of trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association held at the offices of SG Johnson Tonawanda May 21, 1869</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>SG Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> <li>BF Felton Secry</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> </ul> The meeting was called to order and the minutes from the last meeting were read and approved. On motion the Supt Mr Carney, was directed to expend a sum of money not to exceed one hundred dollars in improvements to the grounds. On motion the meeting was adjourned. </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association. Held Tonawanda March 5, 1870</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> <li>F Warren</li> </ul> Meeting called to order by the president and on motion G Judd was appointed secretary in term. On motion it was resolved whereas in consequence of the day for the annual election of the board of trustees having passed and that said election did not take place it was resolved that GL JUdd be hereby authorized to transmit to the lot owners a written notification that a special election would take place at the office of S Johnson on the 11th day of March 1870 for the election of two trustees in place of BF Felton and John Simson. On motion the board adjourned to meet at the office of S Johnson March 11, 1870. GL Judd Secty </section> <section> <h2>Meeting of the board of Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association held at the offices of S Johnson Tonawanda March 11, 1870</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> <li>BF Felton</li> <li>Franklin Warren</li> </ul> The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. <pre class="ledger">The supt of the cemetery grounds made his report and presented his account the details of Which may be found in the book of the treasurer. The total amount of distributions during the year by him was $100.78 and on motion he was allowed and orders were directed to be drawn on the treasurer for the amount. Hon. Hiram Newell (Treasurer) furnished his financial report as follows The receipts for the season were William Clark $6.75 James S Se????lefield $1 EB Jacobs $1 Conrad Backer $25. Total receipts $27.75 And on hand March 14, 1869 $151.99 Total $2103.24 Total disbursements $100.78 Now on hand March 11, 1870 $102.96</pre> On motion it was resolved that SL Johnson and GL JUdd be directed to take such legal actions as may be necessary to compel persons occupying lots which are unpaid for either to pay for the same or remove the remains of the dead contained within. The time having arrived for the election of two trustees in place of BL Felton and John Simson the election was proceeded with and J Freeman Vincent and Dr Conrad Backer were duly elected as trustees for the term of three years from Feb 1st 1870. The board then proceeded to organize their respected officers for the ensuing years which resulted in the electing: <ul class="names"> <li>Sheldon Johnson President</li> <li>Garwood Judd Vice “</li> <li>Hon Hiram Newell Treasurer</li> <li>J Freeman Vincent Secretary</li> <li>James Craney Superintendent</li> </ul> On motion it was resolved that a vote of thanks was tendered to BF Felton for his services as secretary of the board since it’s organization and also for the contribution of the necessary books for the use of this association. On motion the board was then appointed. BF Felton </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda October 27, 1870</h2> Meeting of the Trustees of Col. John Sweeney Rural cemetery at the office of president S Johnson. Present <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson President</li> <li>J. Vincent Secty</li> <li>Hiram Newell Treasurer</li> <li>James Craney Superintendant</li> <li>Dr Leonard Backer</li> </ul> Minutes from the last meeting were read and approved. The treasurer made the following report which was accepted. <pre class="ledger">Deed from Marshall Fales $40 Daniel Robinson $25 Mrs Frank Chasselette $15 J Burns $40 George Cummings $25 $143</pre> <pre class="ledger">The super Mr Carney rendered the following bill paid for labor $7 grass seed holder $11.38. $18.38</pre> Which was accepted and on motion an order was drawn on the treasurer in the amount. Mr S Johnson asked permission to change his lot for one in section B to be hereafter selected by a motion made and carried the president + sect. Were authorized to take ref? the old deed of the lot now held by Mr Johnson and give him the lot he may select he paying the difference if any. On motion Mess. Vincent and Backer were appointed a committee to confer with + settle the ? with James Sweeney. A motion was made and carried that the superintendent be notified not to allow anyone to bury their dead upon any of the lots unless such lots be paid for and that the secretary furnish the super with a copy of the resolution. On motion the board adjourned until two weeks from tonight J F Vincent Secry </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda Feb 7 1871 — Regular meeting of the Col. John Sweeney cemetery association held at the office of SG Johnson</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>S Johnson President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> <li>JF Vincent Secty</li> <li>H Backer</li> <li>F Warren</li> </ul> Meeting called to order, minutes of last meeting were read and approved. Committee on settlement with James Sweeney + report progress. On motion we proceed to ballot for trustees in place of Mess Johnson + Warren. The following officers were elected for the coming year: <ul class="names"> <li>Dr Backer President</li> <li>GL Judd Vice “</li> <li>H Newell Treasurer</li> <li>J Vincent Secty</li> </ul> The treasurer made his report which was accepted the details of which can be found upon his books The following bills were presented and upon motion ordered to be drawn on treasurer for amt. <pre class="ledger"> James Craney bill labor $27.80 BF Felton bill Family deeds for $16.40 and 27.80</pre> Meeting was adjourned ? </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda July 25, 1871 — At a meeting of the board of Col John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association the following gentlemen are present:</h2> Dr Backer President N Newell Treasurer Mr S Johnson + GL Judd Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. The following bills were submitted for labor done on the cemetery grounds + on motion orders were drawn on treasurer for amnts: <pre class="ledger"> EP Brown $3.00 James Carney $5.25 $8.25</pre> On motion the secretary was directed to notice all persons that have their deeds on lots unpurchased to remove the same between the date and the first day of November next or the same be removed by the board. On motion Dr C Backer was allowed to exchange lot 14 by giving difference in price of the lots. Board Adjourned. GL Judd Sectry </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda October 9th, 1871 — At a meeting for the board of Col John Sweeney Rural cemetery association. Held at the office of S Johnson the following gentlemen were present:</h2> Dr C Backer President N Newell Treasurer JF Vincent Secretary And Mr Johnson + Judd Trustees The minutes of the last meeting not being on hand on motion the reading was dispensed with. Mr James Carney presented his resignation which on motion was accepted and Mr Simon Bellinger was appointed in his place. Motion made and carried that GL Judd be allowed to exchange his deed for lot 1 and have his deeds in Lots 1 and 2 of Section “J” by paying difference in price. On motion the Supt. was authorized to use lots _____ in section F (NE corner of the cemetery) To bury the bodies in that are now in the streets + on lots unpaid for. And the treasurer was also authorized to pay bills for for removing such bodies as soon as such bills be presented and audit said bills at the next meeting for the board. Meeting adjourned Live Die JF Vincent secretary </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda Nov 20 1871</h2> Special meeting of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association. Present <ul class="names"> <li>Backer</li> <li>Judd</li> <li>Newell</li> <li>Vincent</li> <li>Johnson</li> </ul> Mr Newell treasurer brought in ills for removing bodies of $93.16 which was authorized to be paid at the meeting. <pre class="ledger">Mr, Newell resigned and Mr S Johnson elected his stead balance of money in the treasury of $370.48.</pre> On motion the supt was authorized to notify Mr SS McMerrick + Mr ? Hawley to remove their dead or secure deeds from the association. The supt was also authorized to grub out oak trees at as little expense as possible JF Vincent Sectry </section> <section> <h2>At the annual meeting of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery Association</h2> <pre class="ledger">Present: are Dr Backer presiding, SG Jhnson + GL Judd trustees. The treasurer report was read and accepted. The amount received from former treasurer Mr Hiram Newell was the sum of $307.88 and was received since he came into the office (SG Johnson) $142.25 in all $514.13 and paid out $5 for straps? Leaving in his hands $509.13.</pre> It was moved and carried that Lerenzo? Ponney? Have a deed of his lost for the money he has paid to George Wing as per ? of James Sweeney. It was moved that the treasurer report be received as read. On motion the association proceeded to ballot for trustee in place of GL Judd was declared duly elected as trustee in place of SL ? and Simon Bellinger was declared duly elected in place of Hiram Newell. On motion this meeting does now adjourned. Sine and Bie (Live and Die?) </section> <section> <h2>February 1872 — At a meeting of the board of trustees of the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery held at the office of SG Johnson president trustees:</h2> Backer, SG Johnson, GL Judd, , F Warren, and Simon Bellinger. It was moved that Dr Backer be our president for the ensuing year. F Warren, vice president. SG Johnson Treasurer, and GL Judd Secretary. It was moved and carried that SG Johnson receive $50 each deed drawn up by ? his entering his bill. He presented his bill for drawing said deeds which was accepted at $30. On motion a bill of GL Judd for ? deeds be allowed at $13.75 and on motion a bill alm of George M Warren of $1. For ? deeds was allowed on motion. The do now adjourn on the call of the president GL Judd </section> <section> <h2>1873 — Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery association Feb 5th, 1873</h2> At an annual meeting of the stock holders of the office of secretary on the 5th day of February 1873. Gentlemen present: C Backer, Vincent, Simon Bellinger, GL Judd, + SG Johnson trustees. Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. SG Johnson read his report Which read from the treasurers book and found in his hands $740.98. <pre class="ledger"> On motion the board do now proceed to ballot for trustee in place os Secretary Backer and F Vincent which was duly done by ballot and both Backer and F Vincent were duly elected. SG Johnson tendered his resignation as trustee which was duly accepted. Simon Bellinger of ____ $14.25 only presented and allowed and bill ? on bill. BH Neff was duly elected trustee in place of SG Johnson resignation. Now board Adjourns</pre> </section> <section> <h2>1873</h2> Present Mr’s Bellinger, Vincent, Backer, + Judd. On motion of GL Judd named C Backer were duly elected president for the ensuing year. F Vincent elected vice president for and BH Neff was duly elected treasurer, and GL Judd was duly elected Secretary for the ensuing year. It was moved and carried that the treasurer BH Neff give the reposite Bail for the safety of the money of the cooperation. S Haymond presented bill for printing of $3.00 which was allowed + bill placed on file. On motion Simon Bellinger was duly elected superintendent of the cemetery for the ensuing year. Simon Bellinger presented bill for services on superintendent of $25. Which was accepted and bill placed on file. On motion the board do now adjourn by the call of the president GL Judd Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Janurary 7, 1873</h2> Cemetery board meet at the store of BH Neff Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Backer</li> <li>Warren</li> <li>Simson</li> <li>Bellinger</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>GL Judd</li> </ul> Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. It was moved that F Warren + Backer be appointed a committee to see James Sweeney and the Vandervoort estate in relation to the purchase of land for additional cemetery grounds. Supt Bellinger presented a bill for cutting down cemetery fence of $30.00 which was duly allowed + check drawn + bill on bill. On motion the board do now adjourn by call of the president. GL Judd Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Sept 5 1873</h2> Board meet presidents store, present: <ul class="names"> <li>President Backer</li> <li>JL Vincent</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>S Bellinger</li> <li>GL JUdd trustee</li> </ul> Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. The following bills were presented for payment and allowed: <pre class="ledger">AG Carey Rings + Staples $4.50 SP Hastings 2 Urns $4.50 OH Gorton Hardware paint $98.57 Wm (Nellis?) Hellis labor on fence $6.25 Walrath + Boroner? For lumber $29.46 G W Sterns plaining lumber $20.74 S Bellinger Supt. $102.50</pre> On the above bills on file. It is now moved + Carried that the treasurer copy from the old map onto the new one the names of the lot owners. It was moved and ? that the supt reset all of the stakes in the cemetery + new ones if necessary. On motion the board is now adjourned. </section> <section> <h2>Annual meeting Feb 3rd, 1874 —</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Conrad Backer prescient</li> <li>BH Neff Treasurer</li> <li>Simson</li> <li>Bellinger</li> <li>trustees</li> <li>GL Judd Secretary. The minutes of the last meeting were read an approved</li> </ul> <pre class="ledger">The treasurer BF Neff presented his report. Which shows he had received from SG Johnson former treasurer $191.50 making the total amount of $932,48 and paid out since last report $353.52 leaving in the treasurer's hand $578.96. Report accepted and recorded on file.</pre> The following bills were presented + duly accepted <pre class="ledger">Henry Backer copying records $25.00 BF Felton for record book $15.00 GL Judd drawing deed $7.50 S. Bellinger Supt. $25.00 _______ $72.50</pre> The following named persons were balloted and elected as trustees in favor of making Franklin Warren and Benj H Neff whose terms as trustees expired abd BH Neff and Benj Felton duly elected. The board then adjourned Sine a die. And the new board on the same day convened. Present: <ul class="names"> <li>C. Backer</li> <li>S Bellinger</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>GL Judd</li> </ul> On motion C Backer was duly elected President for the ensuing year. BH Neff Treasurer and GL Judd Secretary and Simon Bellinger superintendent. On motion the board do now adjourn by the call of the president. </section> <section> <h2>February 18, 1875 — Pursuant to the call for the annual meeting of the Col. John Sweeney Cemetery Association lot owners for the purpose of electing the trustees in place of GL Judd and S Bellinger whose term of office expires.</h2> The meeting was called to order and Conrad Backer was made chairman and Robert Harrington Secretary. Present: <ul class="names"> <li>C Backer</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>S Bellinger</li> <li>R Harrington</li> <li>SA Van Brocklin</li> </ul> On motion the meeting was adjourned until Feb 25th, 1875 at 2 O'clock PM at the office of S Bellinger in Tonawanda. </section> <section> <h2>Feb. 25th, 1875 3 O’clock Pm — Meeting called to order by Secretary BF Felton Chairman, S Bellinger secretary.</h2> Treasurer made his report which was accepted and placed on file. A motion was made that was now proceeded for new trustees. A ballot was had for trustees S Bellinger was duly ha for trustee and W Jacobs was duly elected as trustee to serve for 3 years from this meeting. BF Felton Chairman S Bellinger Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Feb 25th, 1875 — Board of trustee meeting convenes. Trustees present: BF Felton, F Vincent, BH Neff, Whit Jacobs, and S Bellinger on motion BF Felton was elected president for the present year and S Bellinger was elected Secretary. On motion BH Neff was elected treasurer and S Bellinger as superintendent.</h2> On motion and order was drawn on the treasurer in favor of SP Howard for printing notice of $1.50 and on motion and order be drawn on the treasurer in favor of S Bellinger for $25. For services as superintendent for the last year carried. The above orders were drawn as above the report from the treasurer for the last year were received and placed on file. Which account of the treasurer is as follows: <pre class="ledger"> Feb Cash on hand $578.96 Amounts received in 1874 $120.00 Total amounts $698.96 Amounts paid out $118.94 Total amount on hand $580.02</pre> On motion the board adjourned until the next call of the president. S Bellinger Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Feb 1st 1876</h2> At the regular annual meeting of the cemetery association pursuant to the notice published in the Lu? ? ? met at the office of S Bellinger for the purpose of electing new trustees in place of Dr Backer and Freeman Vincent whose term of office expires on the first day of Feb 1876. Present: <ul class="names"> <li>BF Felton President</li> <li>S Bellinger Secretary</li> <li>Dr Backer</li> <li>Vincent trustees</li> </ul> On motion Freeman Vincent be balloted for trustees Vincent was duly declared unanimously elected trustee and on motion of Backer George H Smith be elected trustee. George H Smith was duly declared elected trustee for three years in place of Br Backer whose term of office was expired accordingly Freeman Vincent and George H Smith are elected trustees for three years . On motion the meeting adjourned until Feb 8th, 1876 at 7 O’clock PM S Bellinger Secretary </section> <section> <h2>Tonawanda Feb 8, 1876</h2> A annual meeting of the trustees of Col. John Sweeney Cemetery association the meeting was called to order, George Smith called to the ? ? ? the trustee made his report and then on motion the treasurer report was recorded and placed on file. On motion the treasurer be allowed to delegate all deeds to the persons purchased on their paying the amount called for in the deed. On motion BF felton was elected president and S Bellinger Secretary and BH Neff as treasurer. And S Bellinger superintendent of the cemetery. On motion made in favor of CH Hayward for $1.50 for publishing notice of annual meeting, Carried on motion on the fee of $25 in favor of S Bellinger for services as superintendent of the cemetery. On motion of F Vincent that the treasurer pay .75 cents to the set fee for every deed that has not been paid up by the purchase of the lot and purchase of lots that be required to pay more than the price of the deed call for carry S Bellinger Secretary </section> <section> <h2>A special meeting called by the president Nov 14th, 1876</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>Geo Smith</li> <li>W Jacobs</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>S Bellinger</li> </ul> On motion Geo Smith BH Neff was appointed. President Mr Geo Smith presented old notes, papers and money accounts with James Sweeney to have them examined and after looking them over the papers the present member could not do any thing about the matter. On motion BH Neff and S Bellinger be a committee to see SG Johnson + Others to find out what agreement had been made with the Sweneys in agreement of him giving the deed to the cemetery. Adjourned until Thursday evening Nev. 16th at 7 O’clock S Bellinger Secretery </section> <section> <h2>At an adjourned meeting of the trustees of Col. John Sweeney Cemetery Nov 16, 1876</h2> Present: <ul class="names"> <li>BF Felton president</li> <li>F Vincent</li> <li>Geo Smith</li> <li>Whit Jacobs</li> <li>BH Neff</li> <li>S Bellinger. The meeting was called to order by the president</li> </ul> BH Neff made a motion that James Sweeney Claim be allowed amount $55.46. Motion was lost. Motion made of Geo Smith that McMerrick be notified to pay for his lot or vacate his lot immediately carried. Motion made that treasurer notify all persons that have deeds to pay up. S Bellinger Secretary </section> <section> <h2>At the annual meeting of the lot owners of Col John Sweeney Cemetery Association held at the office of S Bellinger Feb 6th, 1877 for the purpose of electing two trustees in place of BH Neff and BF Felton whose term expires. On motion of BH Neff SG Johnson was chose chairman secretary S Bellinger</h2> </section> </article> https://nthistory.com/files/original/932c7e68adcfd6d9c7d84df4fb004ecd.jpg 68c4b40f3df1677a5b5cc7e1b689a909 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource You push the button and this new automaton does the rest, article (The San Francisco Call Bulletin, 1901-09-16).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1901-09-16 https://nthistory.com/files/original/9e840763211b87501bc670ea93cfebee.jpg 9408ff5f9f93e17fbc3eb9158fae3d94 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource U. S. Automaton Company incorporates, article (Democrat and Chronicle, 1900-02-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-02-04 https://nthistory.com/files/original/61f466569b64d910ec6c37b6c5d47005.jpg 70be02385ffeb465981af3ad70be391d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Three more showings of Holyland, article (Tonawanda News, 1920-08-07).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1920-08-07 https://nthistory.com/files/original/8e370c9b08d8efeb8fda07596b77fb58.jpg 1f7031e43ce8122f4535ca074b5b321f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The electric man, article (Gibson City Courier, 1895-08-30).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-08-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/278ae0e80aa9ea06f3d5fb5840a87732.jpg 0e1aff57d62ac6d43a377acc1281fb4e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Perew starts tour with Holyland show, article (The Buffalo Times, 1921-07-19).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1921-07-19 https://nthistory.com/files/original/baa832fa294c5f602c5b9a654099e9c4.jpg c76e28925e937e7d0a6c2f412c8a2f0e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda man patents airship devices, article (The Buffalo News, 1910-06-27).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1910-06-27 https://nthistory.com/files/original/77c21820df257e05d4f5381ffb7734f0.jpg 9dd48ac598483b084ab8f3075d4ddadd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mechanical man here today, article (The Pittsburgh Post, 1913-05-03).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1913-05-03 https://nthistory.com/files/original/16c903c4e3792d35a95fc9a1a4f6c906.jpg a0732f5de72dd87e73ea0699c74e4ae0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mechanical man, article (The Buffalo Times, 1900-09-02).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-09-02 https://nthistory.com/files/original/8b80d9c615279185b7fdf0e6de7ae8d7.jpg f90cc2e3280af11b3087b17ed03e2323 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Makes giant figure walk, article (Freeport Journal Standard, 1900-09-03).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-09-03 https://nthistory.com/files/original/be3b49db6076abd6780a43e092b7c841.pdf d7d63b315c554df2ddc4c374b9fdde77 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hum of city streets, article (The Philadelphia Times, 1902-01-09).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1902-01-09 https://nthistory.com/files/original/4e6bea294d9e7a4d02acfe06112b49fe.jpg 304b134ae1f371debd903bc419a52841 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Holyland goes down the canal, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-08-25).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1921-08-25 https://nthistory.com/files/original/33713000c72d578d03711f86feef727e.jpg 1a91755a2e4f4a6d37e23a0e5c867a49 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Holy Land Entertainment, ad (Tonawanda News, 1921-08-13).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1921-08-13 https://nthistory.com/files/original/8a2ff1ba819548b33bd3929a7ff35682.jpg b2f9bc361809a5e917c7fc6b3e9fff45 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Holy Land Entertainment, ad (Tonawanda News, 1920-07-30).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1920-07-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/598dac8b5bc87b87a5f2732a4c42c92c.jpg d86f652aa7d02ebb3eb5e2bc3e3f3e59 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gigantic, but lifelike, article (Hampshire Telegraph and Naval Chronicle, 1900-11-17).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-11-17 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ce9482f883b8e659e7b681ca133bbc8e.jpg 1bca206810bb7ffdbb8848fe4490ded8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Giant automaton, illustration, article (The Post Intelligencer, 1900-10-21).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-10-21 https://nthistory.com/files/original/aa46da359d3ce8eff1c5539b1e39743a.jpg cb911611301e28dd1d006dc40d2738c2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Electric men, article (The Solomon Sentinel, 1895-08-21).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-08-21 https://nthistory.com/files/original/5782da5e3f0a157f9f3dc1b41be3d4a4.jpg 3ebce00061fd7aeea1e46d224f089207 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A wooden man who walks, article (Los Angeles Evening Express, 1896-07-18).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1896-07-18 https://nthistory.com/files/original/db2b24640664d9569db414ed1470f7d0.jpg 6efb39df6b500a74bc3238d0634cb4af Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Iron Man Wonder, article (Birmingham Daily Post, 1900-09-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-09-04 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1c8cf1865b7df636a64ed2337e49c19c.jpg 215fb7c1877bd8a9ec9fd71eee4e7206 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Philip Perew, inventor Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106b.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" />Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Historical Society of the Tonawandas. Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>.  He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with at least attempting to develop anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, and a cigar lighter. He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He files at least one patent for a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. From Tonawanda Herald of Thursday, November 26, 1891: “Philip Perew, of South Canal street, has put on his thinking cap and set out in earnest to make some money. He is about to introduce a new style of merry-go-round, which in addition to hobbie horses, will have a revolving panorama and stationary stage for a variety performance. Each machine will be 45 feet in diameter, have 4 chariots, 24 horses, and 50 chairs. There will be 100 pictures magnified many times, and 8 performers on the stage. The fare will be 5 cents, as on the ordinary riding gallery, with the additional attractions mentioned. It would seem as if this apparatus, if successful, would prove a formidable rival over the original machines. The motive power will be steam, with electric possibilities in the future. Sample outfits will be made at Gillie’s machine shops. This enterprise will be watched with considerable interest, in view of the success which has attended a similar undertaking in our midst, which has made Tonawanda famous as headquarters for the nation in this line of production." He and Goddard were associated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted. 1900 Census Louis P. Perew is at 49 First Street, Goose Island, with Wife Helen A. Perew (whome he married in 1884) and an adopted son. Occupation: Automobile manufacturing. 1905 Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29212185?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a224c477144566b504a77575356524479787649643235354e7557395a773277673731724c7269516575492b673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">he is in Tonawanda</a> at his brother Thomas's 67 Tonawanda street "People's Hotel" (on Goose Island). Brother's occupation "saloon," Phillip's is blank. Both been in country 27 years, French Canadian. In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel (1892 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211225?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225774774c696536637a4e6954427136376444374965487661634d68654433614e64457235326c6d666139733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has his occupation as</a> "Hotel Keeper". Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. 1915 NY Census <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29211406?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2261436f39374d6f4f5a36474a4b694d78624c334936594b5237737331686c4856465245346d534971334d593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d">has him</a> living at 46 Sweeney Street with wife Stella Perew and son Joseph, and gives his occupation as "Boat Captain". In 1916, after the Webster Street  bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf." 1930 Census says he is still with wife Stella, has a radio set, and owns his own home (lives at 46 Sweeney), is retired, and speaks French. Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li> <li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false">Robots in American Popular Culture (pp 60-62).</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A new monster, article (Daily Examiner, 1900-12-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-12-04 https://nthistory.com/files/original/87ad9dc88c093145c7e08c4a1783ecd9.jpg be80f848f2b4ca9be474579bb7628261 https://nthistory.com/files/original/dc5c712c78440dc200b8aa822f557a88.jpg 0a3f1f148cbf9785a28e082a80122710 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Solomon G. Haven to Thomas Bolton, deed (1840-09-14).jpg Description An account of the resource Haven sells his other half of Lot 10 5 years after selling the first. The consideration was $1,000, which is much higher than the earlier Roop half-interest price of $312.75 and higher than the 1836 Willink-to-Haven whole-lot consideration/mortgage figure. That may reflect improvements, speculation, changed valuation, or some larger financial context not visible in this deed. AI Transcription: Solomon G. Haven To Thomas Bolton This Indenture made the twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty Between Solomon G Haven & Hannah N Haven his wife of the City of Buffalo County of Erie & State of New York of the first part and Thomas Bolton of the City of Cleveland in the County of Cuyahoga in the State of Ohio of the second part Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for & in consideration of the sum of one Thousand dollars lawful money of the United States of America to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed & acknowledged have granted bargained sold remised released aliened & confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell remise release alien and confirm unto the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever the equal undivided one half of all that certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Niagara and State of New York being part or parcel of a certain Township which on a map or survey of divers tracts or townships of Land made for the Holland Land Company by Joseph Ellicott Surveyor is distinguished by Township number Twelve in the Eighth Range of Townships & which said tract of Land on a certain other map or survey of said Township into lots made for the said Holland Land Company by said Joseph Ellicott is distinguished by Lot number Ten Bounded West by lot number Twelve sixty chains North by lot number Twenty one twenty chains East by Lot number Eight sixty three chains ninety three links and South by the Tonawanda Creek containing one hundred twenty four acres be the same more or less Together with all and singular the hereditaments & appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues & profits thereof & all the estate right title interest claim and demand of the said party of the first part either in law or equity possession revision or remainder of in and to the above bargained premises and every part and parcel thereof with the said hereditaments and appurtenances To Have And To Hold the said premises as above described with the appurtenances unto the party of the second part & to his heirs & assigns forever. And the said Solomon G Haven his executors & administrators does covenant grant bargain & agree to and with the said party of the second part his heirs & assigns that at the time of the ensealing & delivery of these presents was well seized of the premises above conveyed as of a good sure perfect absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance in the law in fee simple without any manner of condition to alter change determine or defeat the same and that the above bargained premises in the quiet & peaceable possession of the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof he will forever Warrant & Defend In Witness Whereof the party of the first part have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year first above written the words “all that certain piece or parcel of land” & “Erie” erased before execution. S. G. Haven [L.S.] Hannah N Haven [L.S.] State of New York Erie County ss. On this twelfth day of September 1840 before me came Solomon G Haven & Hannah N. his wife to me severally known to be the persons described in & who have executed the within Indenture & severally acknowledged the executing of the same for the uses & purposes therein expressed and the said Hannah N upon a private examination by me separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged that she had executed the same freely and without any fear or compulsion of her said husband. Geo R Babcock Sup Court Comr. Recorded September 14, 1840 at 9 Oclock A.M. H. A Clark Clerk Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1840-09-14 deed https://nthistory.com/files/original/ed2c7f988e324f27b08fe817eb56024b.jpg 5e8c3142c6316188efbaad7f9a42ba31 https://nthistory.com/files/original/20d4e0c3ea064c715863ab0b1cd47f72.jpg 9cd9096778e153d93f57718b1f55ff40 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Solomon G. Haven to Henry Roop, deed (Book19 p503 1 of 2, 1835-11-19).jpg Description An account of the resource By late 1835, Solomon G. Haven was already treating Lot 10 as property in which he held a transferable interest, and he conveyed an undivided half-interest to Henry Roop. This makes Haven, not Locke, the key paper-title figure for the Johnsons’ likely arrival period. The Holland Land Co. reps could also have been involved with any arrangement. Haven conveyed an “equal undivided one half” of Lot 10 to Henry Roop on November 19, 1835, for $312.75. The deed does not give Roop a physically surveyed half of the land. It gives him a one-half ownership interest in the whole 124-acre Lot 10. AI Transcription: Solomon G. Haven to Henry Roop, Nov. 19, 1835 This Indenture Made the Nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five Between Solomon G. Haven of the City of Buffalo in the County of Erie and State of New York of the first part and Henry Roop of the same City County and State of the Second part Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred and twelve Dollars and seventy five cents to him in hand paid by the said party of the Second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged hath released remised and Quit Claimed and by these presents does release remise and Quit Claim unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever the equal undivided one half of all that certain piece or parcel of Land situate lying and being in the Township Number Twelve in the Eighth Range of Townships being in Niagara County and which said piece of Land on a Map or survey of said Township into Lots made for the proprietors of said Township by Joseph Ellicott Surveyor is distinguished by Lot Number Ten in said Township. Bounded West by Lot Number Twelve Sixty chains North by Lot Number Twenty one twenty chains East by Lot Number Eight Sixty three chains ninety links and South by the Tonawanda Creek containing one hundred twenty four acres be the same more or less. Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof and also all the estate right title interest claim and demand of the said party of the first part either in law or equity possession revision or remainder of in and to the above released premises and every part and parcel thereof with the said hereditaments and appurtenances To Have and to Hold the above released premises and every part and parcel thereof to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns to the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever. Heirs & part of nineteen written on erasure before signing. In Witness Whereof the said party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of A. C. Tuttle S. G. Haven [seal] State of New York Erie County ss. On this Second day of January AD 1836 Solomon G. Haven the within described grantor to me well known came personally before me and acknowledged that he executed the within Deed Let it be recorded Daniel Sherwood Supreme Court Comr. Recorded October 24th 1837 at 6 Oclock P.M. Examined J. H. Roby Clerk Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1835-11-19 deed https://nthistory.com/files/original/429650a23d821ffcaded5f46df635045.jpg 2fcab2617935d4c215b5eed2034d16c3 https://nthistory.com/files/original/45e447519ebc87e65faaf13f2d5c20ea.jpg 287147dd45cb1acee4a16fff2c33917f https://nthistory.com/files/original/8674136bd46b296e16f54ae6e608a4e1.jpg ffa462ae5c733cf400250fc1e8fc1ebf https://nthistory.com/files/original/a9b4c8d3b18463c88e55baab8ff745ed.png 2b79540e41e515fa9d657175e2c577e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Object Photos or illustrations of artifacts of an entity. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource William Willink et al to Solomon G. Haven, mortgage for Great Lot 10 (1836-10-27).jpg Description An account of the resource Mortgage; Liber 18 of Mortgages, page 365 — the 1843 discharge. Deed: Book 22 p 186 AI Transcription: This Indenture, Made this twenty seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six between William Willink, Wilhem Willink, Warnaer Van Heukelom, Jan Teyman Cuming, Isaac Ten Cate, William Willink the younger and Peter Van Eeghen all of the City of Amsterdam in the Kingdom of the Netherlands by David E. Evans their Attorney in fact in the County of Niagara and State of New York, of the first part, and Solomon G. Haven of the County of Erie, State of New York, of the second part, WITNESSETH, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of Eight hundred twenty five 82/100 dollars to them in hand paid, by the said party hereto of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and themselves to be therewith fully satisfied, contented, and paid, have granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released, enfeoffed, conveyed, confirmed, and assured, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, enfeoff, convey, confirm, and assure unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs, and assigns forever, ALL that certain tract of LAND, situate, lying, and being in the County of Niagara in the State of New-York, being part or parcel of a certain Township which on a Map or survey of divers Tracts or Townships of Land, made for the said parties of the first part by Joseph Ellicott, Surveyor, is distinguished by Township Number Twelve in the Eighth Range of said Townships, and which said tract of land, on a certain other Map or survey of said Township into lots made for the said parties of the first part by the said Joseph Ellicott, is distinguished by Lot number Ten in said Township. Bounded West by Lot number Twelve sixty chains North by Lot number Twenty one twenty chains East by Lot number Eight sixty three chains ninety three links and South by the Tonawanda Creek containing one hundred and twenty four acres be the same more or less according to the plan or survey thereof in the margin hereof. Together with all and singular the appurtenances, privileges, advantages, and hereditaments whatsoever, unto the above mentioned and described premises, in any wise appertaining or belonging, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof, and also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim and demand whatsoever, as well in law as in equity, of the said party of the first part, of, in, or to the same, and every part or parcel thereof, with the appurtenances.—To have and to hold, the above granted, bargained, and described premises, with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, to his and their only proper use, benefit and behoof forever. AND the said party of the first part, for themselves and each of the surviving party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, do hereby covenant, promise and agree, to and with the said party of the first part, his heirs, and assigns, that they, the said party of the first part, the above described, and hereby granted and bargained premises, and every part thereof, with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs, and assigns, against the said party of the first part, and their heirs, and against all other persons whatsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof, shall and will WARRANT, and by these presents forever DEFEND. In witness whereof, The said party of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Sealed and delivered in presence of William Willink Wilhem Van Heukelom Isaac Ten Eyck Cornelis Isaac Van Eeghen Wilhem Willink the Younger Peter Van Eeghen By their Attorney David E. Evans Genesee County ss. On this 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Supreme Court Commissioner for the County aforesaid, and to me known David E Evans to me personally known to be the same person described in and who executed the above instrument of writing who acknowledged that he executed the same as the act and deed of the above mentioned party of the first part for the uses & purposes therein mentioned. I finding therein no material interlineations or erasures do allow the same to be recorded. Daniel H. Chandler Recorded April 1st 1837 at 8 Oclock A.M. H A Clark Clerk Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1836-10-27 deed mortgage https://nthistory.com/files/original/b2b249d3fca5a0fbb9013f8ebc216975.jpg 8eb9f40dc34f41991d0ebf0e46e88787 https://nthistory.com/files/original/d1888493f383ff5ebf105a851b55765f.jpg e91e8f21fdf5111df39938a961b4b16f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool, posing on the plat, photo (Jim Mis c1977).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1ee69a131e9cd77b974363998c3e643f.jpg 7abc0cb70f82f2a4245d32ffacfc006a https://nthistory.com/files/original/bfe0ec599fa28e2e3cbec86fbc49e3cb.png b685b95b45a40ddb149f068bf829a504 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e101468c7aef4e20ad01add8cffd2124.png 4ef09ec2fd944119bb4ba8f037fb990e https://nthistory.com/files/original/f00afb1bd3cf98059d7f1c5a1a614ecd.png cfef8bbee919fd43714b8d15f3758881 https://nthistory.com/files/original/2ad2d4c96b20ed0360304095c4c000c5.png a9bb4e7dc0fc62d68374be567cf2df41 https://nthistory.com/files/original/06442bf15fa13fb1a4413ce5ceebb82c.png da5a9ff8ad8272aadda276e6c7222e3b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> People A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Dr. Jesse Fayette Locke (1810-1861).per Description An account of the resource <ul> <li class="p1"><a href="https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/159227838/person/342232256039/facts">Ancestry Link</a></li> <li class="p1">1810-07-21 in Hollis Center, Maine.</li> <li class="p1">1830 Limerick School in Biddeford Me</li> <li class="p1">1833 Main Temperance Society</li> <li>1834 College in Maine</li> <li class="p1">1834 Johnsons arrive according to Hannah obit</li> <li class="p1">1837-11-15 Marries Mehitable Hill in Lyman, Maine (Ancestry.com)</li> <li class="p1">1837-12-04 Marries Mehitable Green Hill in Tonawanda (Locke genealogy book on Ancestry.con)</li> <li class="p1">1838 First “resident physician of Tonawanda...Dr. Locke came about (History of City of Buffalo and Erie County p. 419). </li> <li class="p1">1840 Birth of daughter Marian in NY NY? (Ancestry)</li> <li class="p1">1843-02 A J. F. Locke is listed in the Emancipator and Free American treasurer’s report, published March 9, 1843, as collecting subscriptions at Charlestown, Massachusetts; if this is the same Jesse F. Locke later associated with Wheatfield, it would place him in direct financial support of an abolitionist newspaper. (Vol 7 Issue 46)</li> <li class="p1">1843-03-04 <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4045">Whips a man</a> in tavern for playing possum</li> <li>1844 First appearance in land records: Jesse F. Locke and Jacob Hug, from Thomas Bolton “of Cleveland” & Wife, Lot 10 124 acres - for $700. “The equal undivided one half…of Lot 10.” So they are partners.</li> <li>1844 Helps get local Presbyterian worship off the ground with Payne</li> <li>1847-11-23 <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4208">Buys Lot 10</a> from Ephraim Rolles </li> <li>1848 Birth of daughter Pamelia in NT</li> <li>1850-09ish Birth of Son Jesse F. Locke Jr. (drowns)</li> <li>1852-09-18 Wife Mehitable Green Hill dies</li> <li>1853-11-02 <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4165">Sells some land</a> to John Chadwick (Chadwick pays $500 for a 31-acre strip in center of Lot 10 from its north boundary to Tonawanda Creek (not Johnsons' land)</li> <li>1859 <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1057">Marries</a> Welsh-born Mary Gwynne, later Rowland</li> <li>1861-03-12 Death</li> <li>1861-1865 <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4148">Surrugate court docs</a></li> </ul> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1810 https://nthistory.com/files/original/008f78c311ed686afa2ae052e2d64a0f.jpg 0b40e0dec6c6b0c5f456e97d1e381afa https://nthistory.com/files/original/6b01c8efcc07df7e6e805fc13698dc08.jpg 765efd56d81a5085338ee333f059d3d3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/104c.jpg" alt="Memorial Pool, Payne Park" /> Painting by Dennis Reed Jr. (2023). The Memorial Pool opens in North Tonawanda in the summer of 1948. It is a "living memorial" for the veterans of the recent World War, and a luxury for the baby boomers and second- and third-generation immigrants now crowding into the upper avenues. NT Parks & Recreation Director William <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/939">"Pop" Ramsay</a> is a champion of the project. A summer centerpiece The glittering pool in Payne Park quickly becomes a vibrant centerpiece of the community. Daily public swimming hours are maintained for all ages throughout the summer. Swimming classes are held for the benefit of both children and adults (a practical skill to have in a city bounded by the Erie Canal and the Niagara River). Night swims are offered. Countless public and school competitions will be held in here in the following decades. For instance, in September 1948, the 1st Annual Labor Day Swimming Reggata is recorded in the Tonawanda News. In 1950, the pool hosts the Swim Meet portion of the multi-venue, multi-event T-NT Sports carnival. According to the NT Recreation Department's annual report, August 3, 1956 is a record-breaking day, with over 1,900 swimmers coming to the pool (with a daily average of 1,403). By 1962, the daily average is up to 1,971. Dry goods In the 1960s, teen dances are held on the grounds. Local acts such as The Caravans perform the new guitar-driven music. Movies are projected against the side of the pool in the 1980s. An example of a "Bintz pool" design Its above-ground construction, ovoid shape and many other details are hallmarks of the so-called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3639">Bintz pool</a>," named after Wesley Bintz, a Michigan-born architect who made a long career of designing similar pools for town and city settings throughout the country from the 1920s into the 1950s. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.H._Moores_Memorial_Natatorium">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the early 1920s, Wesley Bintz came to work in the [Lansing, MI] city engineer's office, only a few years after receiving his degree from the University of Michigan in 1918. In 1922 he became the City Engineer, and in that capacity he designed [The Moores Park] natatorium, which was constructed in 1923. Bintz resigned later that year, and began a career devoted to designing swimming pools.</blockquote> Original features and modifications The design is a sort of brick and concrete Art Deco. A brick exterior curves around the pool portion. In front, two memorial plaques dedicate the structure. When first opened, a concession stand occupies part of the lobby. Also in the lobby, two "vision windows" give an underwater view of divers. To the left and right of the lobby, separate women's and men's entrances are provided, respectively, with restrooms, showers, and foot baths forcing swimmers to rinse their feet again before climbing the stairs to the pool. Spectators use a third entrance to the deck above. Originally a wading pool is built into the deck at the west end, later to be replaced by the guard house and office. Lanterns hang from the long, curved posts around the pool's perimeter (they seem to be supplemented with other lights early on, and are at some point removed altogether; other Bintz pools had globes atop the posts). A low and high dive are provided on opening day. Admission is free, and residents are permitted to bring one guest. Rules prohibit blowing one's nose in the pool: for this purpose, "scum gutters" are provided around the pool, collecting debris. A diving platform ("plat") and large and small slides are added later.  The  slides and platform are later replaced with a single curli-q slide on the south east end. 1976 sealed bids for "1 meter diving stand" accepted. Before the 1987 season, a major reonovation is undertaken, among other things to make the pool wheelchair-accessible. The front facade is replaced and reconfigured at this time. Farewell Like most Bintz pools across the country, the Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda inevitably suffers from the ravages of time, the elements, and finite City resources. In June 2023, the City announces the pool will not re-open in 2023, and that it will retire the crumbling pool after 75 distinguished years of servcice. A new facility is promised, perhaps using some of te original structure. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB20hkqhxQg">video from Preservation Buffalo Niagara</a> uses a few of my photos and articles to tell the pool's story. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memorial Pool demolition preparation, photos (Dennis Reed Jr., 2026-05-17).gal Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2026-05-17 https://nthistory.com/files/original/99f892f71088d9d4ef2728360e97a5fd.jpg a9556613c33323958df2277e04be72c1 https://nthistory.com/files/original/a08594e5483fe719deef347fcbe02f01.jpg 472cd65c2ca3d873703afa4027344671 https://nthistory.com/files/original/2dc645f1227a5d331cfd5516b80744d6.jpg bfc9c9dbe09733305ccab32dce6836f2 https://nthistory.com/files/original/588cf2a72cf0bfb879b8430a651752b7.jpg 35fae6122fc248c93c23cd81cf42660a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hannah's Woods, photos (Dennis Reed Jr., 2026-05-17).gal Description An account of the resource South Meadow and East Goundry. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2026-05-17 https://nthistory.com/files/original/596c3e6cf6c9c19fd50dca31d892947f.jpg cfa1268edb0589e66168b252de5bd046 https://nthistory.com/files/original/6081b3beff8064b53223cf5e78f34bda.jpg 8fbe98ab795d17b20a882219fe84f3c6 https://nthistory.com/files/original/efc43ce4512a92362aabe9d4e44a6640.jpg 545f29808a777b4fb47dd74b40385332 https://nthistory.com/files/original/14bb47a1d5b208cb319aed868edcf8eb.jpg dd3897d85c2832058e11f93bee4b03e1 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ba635a4fa04b1f4acae7b56da76c100d.png 70f2cca731a493d36a90920ff5088e6b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John and Hannah Johnson Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A low‐angle view shows a weathered split-rail fence in the foreground, beyond which a lone cow and calf graze on a grassy field. About 100 ft behind them is a humble one-story frame farmhouse with old tools and a wooden wheel leaning against its side. Rows of crops stretch toward a distant treeline under warm, late-evening light from the west." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/8c.jpg" />The Johnsons lived in a small frame house on a 12-acre farm in the area of present-day South Meadow Drive. Photo made with AI. Around campfires and during sleepovers, under covers and under stars, generations of North Tonawanda children heard the tale of “Black Hannah.” It was whispered that she was an escaped slave from the South, a fortuneteller, a seer of past lives who was silent about her own beginnings. Ancient beyond estimation, she was said to keep company with unseen forces in a shack in the primordial woods at the village edge. After she died, folks said strange flowers sprung up around the place—a sign that Hannah had never entirely belonged to this world, or that her spirit refused to leave her old home. Her real name was Hannah Johnson. Hannah Johnson’s story is not just a ghost story. It is one of those local legends where fact and invention have grown together until the roots are hard to untangle. How did a Black woman born a slave come to settle in a small, overwhelmingly white canal town—one that, it needs to be said, had a reputation for hostility toward Black people? Was she connected to the Underground Railroad, as some have hoped to prove? And if her 1883 obituary is right that she was buried in Sweeney Cemetery, where is her grave? To get anywhere near the real Hannah Johnson, we have to leave the woods and campfires of the raw west and go back east, to the older, post-colonial New York that produced her. According to her obituary, before she was a legend in North Tonawanda, Hannah was a Black girl born into the uneasy aftermath of slavery in the Hudson-Mohawk world—a place where freedom arrived slowly, grudgingly, and even then, often only on paper. <h2>Hannah’s early life</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The aftermath of slavery in New York State</h3>   Hannah—we do not know her maiden name—was born in Albany County, New York, around 1803. If later accounts of her birth are correct, she entered the world in the strange half-freedom created by New York’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1799. Under that law, Black children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1799 were not enslaved for life, but neither were they free in any meaningful childhood sense. Girls remained bound servants until age 25.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Serving in the house of the governor?</h3>  In her obituary, we encounter a startling claim: that Hannah “lived for a time” in the household of Joseph Christopher Yates of Schenectady, one of the most powerful men in New York State. During Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood, Yates served as mayor of Schenectady, New York state senator, New York Supreme Court judge, and finally governor from 1823 to 1824.   If the obituary is correct, Hannah’s girlhood and young adulthood placed her unusually close to the rituals of power. She may have listened from the edges of rooms where judges, senators, governors, college men, canal boosters, and visiting dignitaries passed through. In 1825, when Lafayette came through Schenectady during his triumphal return to America, he called upon Governor Yates; if Hannah was still attached to the household, she may have been near enough to witness the machinery of public honor from the servant’s side of the room. The later legend of Hannah as a reader of tea leaves also looks different in this light. Whether or not she learned such arts there, an elite household would have exposed her to genteel rituals of tea, visiting, gossip, performance, and feminine social authority—worlds far removed from the rough settlements of the Niagara frontier.  The obituary leaves some daylight between itself and this claim, adding only, “we are told.” That phrase matters. Can we take the story at face value? Was it something Hannah herself told people? Was she already shaping her own legend in life, as others would do after her death? Conclusive evidence has been difficult to find either way. The 1820 federal census does show an unnamed free Black female, aged 14 to 26, living in the Yates household; however, as customary on this census, only the head of household (Joseph Christopher Yates) is named. Hannah later consistently gave her county of birth as Albany to state census-takers, which roughly fits the geography of the Yates claim: Schenectady County was not formed from Albany County until 1809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gradual emancipation</h3> If Hannah was born around 1803, she would have become legally free around 1828. But legal freedom was not social equality. In Schenectady, for Black women, that “freedom” often meant domestic service, washing, cooking, childcare, or continued dependence on the households where they had served. Schools, skilled trades, property, and public authority remained difficult to reach. Some looked westward, toward canal towns, port cities, and frontier settlements, where opportunity might be rougher but less fixed. When Hannah next appears in the record, she appears almost 300 miles west in the Town of Wheatfield, alongside John Johnson. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah’s husband: John Johnson</h2> John Johnson was a Black man born around 1800 in Washington County, a little further up the Hudson River from Hannah and the Yateses. Though not from the same county, both were from the old upper Hudson–Capital District world, close enough for their paths to plausibly cross through work, family, or chance. John’s early status is unknown. He may have been free-born, or he may have been, like Hannah, one of the Black New Yorkers caught in gradual abolition — legally free on paper, but bound to service until adulthood. For men, bound servitude lasted until age 28. If he were also born “in bondage,” it would mean John and Hannah would both be newly free around 1828. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Erie Canal and the promise of the west</h3> When the Erie Canal opened in October 1825, it transformed the movement of goods and people across New York. What had once been a long, expensive, uncertain overland journey could now be made by water, from the Hudson River toward the Great Lakes, through a forty-foot-wide, four-foot-deep artificial river cut across the state. From the Johnsons’ perspective, the Grand Canal may have looked like a corridor to a new life: away from the old world, westward into the interior of a changing country. According to Hannah’s obituary, she arrives in 1834. It is very unlikely that the Johnsons’ move to Wheatfield was random. A Black couple born into slavery’s aftermath in eastern New York did not simply travel hundreds of miles west and select a wooded corner of someone else’s farm by chance. Their arrival almost certainly depended on some prior connection — work, permission, kin, church, land-company labor, or a relationship with an owner or agent. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“A place to be avoided”</h3> One later source says Hannah arrived from the south with a small “colony” of Black people who settled along the banks of Tonawanda Creek. (Ten years later, German Lutherans establish Martinsville there.) But according to this account, the earlier Black settlement did not last. “Some trouble” arose with the white residents. A white mob raided the settlement, scattered its people, burned their cabins, and threw their belongings into Tonawanda Creek. Hannah alone was permitted to stay, the account says, because she was useful: she did housework for white families. It is a grim story, and a thinly documented one. The only possible support I have found is a 1909 article about human bones discovered during sewer work in Tonawanda. In that article, an old resident claims the remains are from what the paper calls an “old colored war.” I have found no other evidence of this “war,” nor the raid. But the larger premise is not difficult to believe. The Tonawandas were not welcoming places for Black people. The same 1909 article continues: <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> The Tonawandas are known to the negroes of the South as a place to be avoided and since the time that Black Hanna left North Tonawanda, 40 years ago, no negroes have lived here. Many times they have hired out here, but not longer than a week or two. The Tonawandas are two of the few cities in the country that have no negro population. “Human Bones Tell Old Story,” Niagara Democrat, February 5, 1909. </blockquote> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first census appearance: 1840</h3> The first record of the Johnsons in the area is the 1840 U. S. federal census for the Town of Wheatfield. Only John Johnson, as the head of household, is identified by name. The household includes three free Black individuals: one man and one woman aged roughly 24 to 36, likely John and Hannah Johnson, and an older Black man between 55 and 100. All three are marked as “employed in agriculture.” This could mean working their own farm, hiring out to work on someone else’s or both. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Great Lot 10</h3> When the Johnsons arrived, the region was still sparsely settled and heavily wooded. Tonawanda was a small canal village near the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Along Tonawanda Creek, flooding remained common, worsened by canal construction and damming. The Tonawanda village. Not much here. But whites had already been carving up the land for 150 years. Holland Land Company and Joseph Ellicott carved up lots.By no means wilderness you could just plunk down in., On the 1840 Census, nearby Johnson on enumerator’s route, we see two names that are also in the land records: Jacob Hook and George (Christopher) Van Slyke <iframe style="width: 920px; height: 510px; max-width: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8_GGxU7uvM?si=ZpnulipHiWLoMM9F" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hannah is the subject of a song by my musical gang Yellow Jack on our album <a href="https://yellowjack.bandcamp.com/album/a-horse-apiece">"A Horse Apiece"</a> Document A resource containing text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Johnson household (U.S. Census, 1840).jpg Description An account of the resource AI Summary: In the 1840 census for Wheatfield, John Johnson appears as the head of a small free Black household of three. The visible age columns identify one free colored man aged 24 to 35, one free colored woman aged 24 to 35, and one free colored male aged 55-100. All three householders are described as "employed in agriculture." Neighbors as they appear in the text: Martin Bush Daniel Treichler Martin Dewey Alonzo Chasbrough William Simmons Hugh Kelly Adlai Clark Whitman Nash Horace Nash Adam Castleman Treeman Smith Malichi P. Rewey Oliver Lovell John O Tool Eggbert Mansfield Nars Sawyer George Van Slyke Michael Henesa Alexander Chapelet Jacob Hook David Shooman Christopher Van Slyke John Johnson Robert Mathers Sanya Grapan James Summers Thomas King Barney Capaday William Reed Philo Kingsley Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1840 census https://nthistory.com/files/original/1d8f543ab6197d77b923afa40bcff44e.jpg 96fc314f25151b9689d04a71ee7697e9 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e934325d2f8ac81d3f5f33e568c283fc.jpg da0f8ebd5956a66d1eb0a8795794302b https://nthistory.com/files/original/168590ff1a80fa055d287d3a4e216ea0.jpg 39b18fa037465142b13412ac849bc570 https://nthistory.com/files/original/47a740fd0fa85582cf4d3b832ceef196.jpg 03c4fdf84d57b18190776f0ec86e01a8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource American District Steam Heating, Taber Industries (455 Bryant Street) Description An account of the resource Before the electric age, there was the steam age. Steam was used to power factory equipment, trains, and even to heat buildings (in some areas, it still is). A system for heating entire cities with steam ("district steam heating") is developed by Birdsill Holly in Lockport in 1877. His American District Steam Company has a sprawling plant in North Tonawanda at 455 Bryant Street in the early 20th Century. They are <a href="https://www.adscomfg.com/about-us/">still in business as ADSCO</a>. As of 2022, the buildings are operated by Taber Industries. From <a href="https://www.taberindustries.com/about-taber">their website</a>: <blockquote>Originally founded in 1941 by Ralph Taber, The Taber Instrument Corporation was established to manufacture precision testing instruments. As lead engineer, Mr. Taber invented numerous devices that aided in the understanding of material physical properties. Many of the original product concepts were so innovative they are still widely used today, and continue to be considered the standard for comparison in many industries. Best known for our expertise in abrasion and surface wear, Taber also offers a full product line to evaluate resistance to scratch, mar and scuff damage; along with bending and stiffness. Acquired by the Teledyne organization in 1966, the company’s name was changed to Teledyne Taber. In August 1992, the company changed ownership and became Taber Industries.</blockquote> The buildings in the northeast section of the plant are now operated by <a href="https://ltrrigging.com/home/">LTR Rigging and Hauling</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource American District Steam Company, photos (c.1950).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 building collection factory https://nthistory.com/files/original/da803629f56b59023439ae7668a335d2.jpg 3c3280974a3c33e1ae05883c80dc562d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Map of Gratwick area and dockage illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/93b.jpg" />1877 SurveyIn 1870 W. H. Gratwick of Buffalo purchases 50 acres along the Niagara River from Benjamin Felton and John Simson. By 1879 the White, Gratwick & Mitchell Lumber Company has a planing mill and substantial lumberyards on the site. They employ 450 men, mostly of German origin, who settle northeast of the facilities. The village’s main street, Felton, is named after Benjamin F. Felton. By 1884 there is a "neat frame" school house with one teacher and 30 pupils, built by Felton (school board president at the time). Gratwick is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. From the guidebook "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">North Tonawanda and Tonawanda</a>" (1891): <blockquote>Among the pioneers in the wholesale lumber trade of this place was W.H. Gratwick, who, in 1870, purchased fifty acres from Hon. John Simson and B.F. Felton, adjoining the Niagara River, about two miles below the mouth of Tonawanda Creek, and started a lumberyard. A half dozen years later P.W. Ledoux built the sash, door, and blind factory, which a few years later was purchased by Parks & Son, who operated the same until its recent purchase by Hollister Brothers. Mr. Gratwick erected a large planing mill in 1879, and from that time forward the place has steadily grown until it now has about 1,000 inhabitants. The lumber and mill interests of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, Touawanda Lumber Co., and Hollister Brothers will be mentioned on other pages. Augustus Miller. — After the lumber interests, the next manufactory of importance in Gratwick is the wagon shop at the corner of Oliver and Felton streets. This was built in 1887 by August Miller, and besides doing all kinds of blacksmith and iron repair work, puts up a quantity of wagons, trucks, and other new work. Mr. Miller employs from five to ten men and has added an important industry to Gratwick, in a line of diversified manufacturing for which there is much room for development. Churches, Schools, Etc. — A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Gratwick in 1887, and the membership, a short time afterwards, commenced the erection of a church, which with lot, is worth about $3,000. This Avas dedicated in 1889 and has been in charge of Rev. J.S. Duxbury up to the present writing. St. Peter's German Evangelical church was organized April 5, 1888, by Rev. Kottler and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Conrad Bachman, who was educated at the missionschool ot Basle, Switzerland, came to this charge in October, 1888, and teaches the parochial school. Some sixty families are connected with this church. Gratwick has a public school with about 100 pupils, a brass band, two hose companies, and other societies; numerous hotels, stores, coal offices, and abundance of saloons. It was made a part of North Tonawanda corporation the present year, since which it has been placed in connection with the water mains, has electric lights, and other corporation advantages. Riverside. — From Gratwick station to the corporation limits on the west is nearly a mile, and as the river presents a graceful curve and nice beach in this vicinity, it has been proposed to call the station which will probably be located one and a half miles below Gratwick, "Riverside." Last year the Riverside Land Co. was incorporated and purchased forty acres on the north side of the Erie railroad, mostly within the new corporate limits. The officers are H.E. Warner, Pres.; J.A. Kuck, of Buflalo, V.P.; Charles W. Archibald, of North Tonawanda, Sec, and L. Landauer, of Albion, Treas. Bluff Point. — E.A. Milliman, a farmer and contractor, of Wheatfield town, has been seven times appointed a deputy collector, which office he now holds. Mr. Milliman owns a handsome farm of 120 acres at Bluff Point, bounded on the west and south by the Niagara River. The river at this point has a clean gravel shore with high bluff, making a delightful place for a summer location. Editor's note: <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607">1878 illustration and modern photo</a> G.F. Goerss, also a deputy collector, owns a fifty-acre farm near the mile line, which is handsomely located and will presently be within the radius of development. Last year he erected a dwelling in Gratwick. Mr. Goerss was born in Wheatfield and is an authority on real estate values. He has been supervisor, J.P., Justice of Sessions, and in 1887-8 a member of Assembly.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/browse?tags=gratwick">More items tagged "Gratwick" ></a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick area, W. Stenzel, B.F. Felton, map detail (1875).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1875 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/81b5a09efe4838e38f6c8efd989a4ac5.jpg 99a2c6726faff48c6a2048a78b5d46c4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Map of Gratwick area and dockage illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/93b.jpg" />1877 SurveyIn 1870 W. H. Gratwick of Buffalo purchases 50 acres along the Niagara River from Benjamin Felton and John Simson. By 1879 the White, Gratwick & Mitchell Lumber Company has a planing mill and substantial lumberyards on the site. They employ 450 men, mostly of German origin, who settle northeast of the facilities. The village’s main street, Felton, is named after Benjamin F. Felton. By 1884 there is a "neat frame" school house with one teacher and 30 pupils, built by Felton (school board president at the time). Gratwick is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. From the guidebook "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">North Tonawanda and Tonawanda</a>" (1891): <blockquote>Among the pioneers in the wholesale lumber trade of this place was W.H. Gratwick, who, in 1870, purchased fifty acres from Hon. John Simson and B.F. Felton, adjoining the Niagara River, about two miles below the mouth of Tonawanda Creek, and started a lumberyard. A half dozen years later P.W. Ledoux built the sash, door, and blind factory, which a few years later was purchased by Parks & Son, who operated the same until its recent purchase by Hollister Brothers. Mr. Gratwick erected a large planing mill in 1879, and from that time forward the place has steadily grown until it now has about 1,000 inhabitants. The lumber and mill interests of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, Touawanda Lumber Co., and Hollister Brothers will be mentioned on other pages. Augustus Miller. — After the lumber interests, the next manufactory of importance in Gratwick is the wagon shop at the corner of Oliver and Felton streets. This was built in 1887 by August Miller, and besides doing all kinds of blacksmith and iron repair work, puts up a quantity of wagons, trucks, and other new work. Mr. Miller employs from five to ten men and has added an important industry to Gratwick, in a line of diversified manufacturing for which there is much room for development. Churches, Schools, Etc. — A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Gratwick in 1887, and the membership, a short time afterwards, commenced the erection of a church, which with lot, is worth about $3,000. This Avas dedicated in 1889 and has been in charge of Rev. J.S. Duxbury up to the present writing. St. Peter's German Evangelical church was organized April 5, 1888, by Rev. Kottler and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Conrad Bachman, who was educated at the missionschool ot Basle, Switzerland, came to this charge in October, 1888, and teaches the parochial school. Some sixty families are connected with this church. Gratwick has a public school with about 100 pupils, a brass band, two hose companies, and other societies; numerous hotels, stores, coal offices, and abundance of saloons. It was made a part of North Tonawanda corporation the present year, since which it has been placed in connection with the water mains, has electric lights, and other corporation advantages. Riverside. — From Gratwick station to the corporation limits on the west is nearly a mile, and as the river presents a graceful curve and nice beach in this vicinity, it has been proposed to call the station which will probably be located one and a half miles below Gratwick, "Riverside." Last year the Riverside Land Co. was incorporated and purchased forty acres on the north side of the Erie railroad, mostly within the new corporate limits. The officers are H.E. Warner, Pres.; J.A. Kuck, of Buflalo, V.P.; Charles W. Archibald, of North Tonawanda, Sec, and L. Landauer, of Albion, Treas. Bluff Point. — E.A. Milliman, a farmer and contractor, of Wheatfield town, has been seven times appointed a deputy collector, which office he now holds. Mr. Milliman owns a handsome farm of 120 acres at Bluff Point, bounded on the west and south by the Niagara River. The river at this point has a clean gravel shore with high bluff, making a delightful place for a summer location. Editor's note: <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607">1878 illustration and modern photo</a> G.F. Goerss, also a deputy collector, owns a fifty-acre farm near the mile line, which is handsomely located and will presently be within the radius of development. Last year he erected a dwelling in Gratwick. Mr. Goerss was born in Wheatfield and is an authority on real estate values. He has been supervisor, J.P., Justice of Sessions, and in 1887-8 a member of Assembly.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/browse?tags=gratwick">More items tagged "Gratwick" ></a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick area, map detail (1891).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1891 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/8b56fa25f6f387f711f9e091d8827916.jpg 29c60c65ab248669ca63bf9adc2a21e7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veteran Keke shows the kids how it's done, transcribed article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-22).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-22 Description An account of the resource Monday, March 22, 1976 Veteran Keke Shows the Kids How By PETER DRUMSTA Even under the pressure of playoffs, Keke Mortson was clearly enjoying himself. Because, after a hockey career spanning three decades, the colorful Mortson — who will turn 42 years old a week from today — is finishing it up with a flourish as a Buffalo Norseman. It was his guile that sparked the Norsemen to a 5-1 victory over the defending Lockhart Cup champion Johnstown Jets Sunday afternoon before 4041 in Memorial Auditorium, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead in their North American Hockey League quarter-final playoff series. The series continues with games tonight and Wednesday at Johnstown. The fourth game is set for Thursday in the Tonawanda Sports Center, with a fifth game, if necessary, in Johnstown. The Jets, who finished 36 points ahead of the Norsemen in the NAHL West, didn’t look the part Sunday. --- MORTSON AND his young mates quickly took advantage. He popped in a short shot at the 6-minute, 40-second mark of the first period, with assists from defenseman Wayne Morin and Larry Gould. Gould scored later in the period with a crisp pass from Reggie Lahey for a 2-0 lead. In the second, Lahey and Gould assisted on another close-in drive by Mortson for his second goal midway through the period. The goal that flattened the Jets came less than a minute later, when Jim Stanfield scooped up a pass from Dave Given, deked his way in on goalie Ron Docken, and popped the puck past him for a 4-0 lead. Billy Steele added a short-handed goal in the third period for Buffalo. Johnstown’s Jean Tetreault spoiled what would have been Buffalo’s first shutout of the season, scoring with less than 4 minutes left. --- MORTSON, who joined the team after receiving a call from Norseman General Manager Willie Marshall, vows a permanent retirement after this season with a vehement “you better believe it.” “My wife is after me to quit,” said the smiling Mortson after his smooth-skating performance. “Last time I went home I had six stitches in me. That was the only way she knew I was playing hockey — I don’t fight in bars.” He rates his current occupation far ahead of his other job, with the North Bay, Ont. sewage department. But he hasn’t looked near retirement with the Norsemen. In his 13 games he’s scored 10 goals with nine assists. Lahey, who has improved throughout the season, appreciates the experience Mortson adds to the club, comprised mainly of players half Keke’s age. “He’s amazing,” said Lahey. “He says, ‘You put it there and I’ll BE there.’” --- JIM MAKEY was sharp in the Buffalo nets as the Norsemen outshot the Jets, 41-33. It was the first time in 3 months that Buffalo held the opposition to one goal. --- PLAYER-COACH Guy Trottier of the Norsemen did not play due to a back injury. His status is uncertain for the upcoming games in Johnstown. https://nthistory.com/files/original/734eeab069f8c4bdb4a8172c86dde8fe.pdf fff110789d1db21485b525a06c376eb5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Trottier back on ice for Norsemen tonight, transcribed article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-24).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-24 Description An account of the resource Trottier Back on Ice For Norsemen Tonight Special to Buffalo Evening News JOHNSTOWN, Pa., March 24 — Player-coach Guy Trottier, who scored seven game-winning goals for the Buffalo Norsemen this season, will be back on the ice this evening after a four-game absence. And the team needs him. The Norsemen clash with the Johnstown Jets here in the third game of their best-of-five Lockhart Cup quarter-final playoff series. Each has one victory. The series shifts to the Tonawanda Sports Center tomorrow evening at 7:45, with a fifth game in Jamestown Saturday if necessary. Trottier, who missed the last two games of the North American Hockey League regular season and the first two playoff games with a back injury, takes the place of defenseman Greg Neeld. Neeld drew a game misconduct Monday for hurling his stick into the stands after the game. Trottier scored 58 points in 57 games for Buffalo this season, including 15 power-play goals. Buffalo has been unable to capitalize during power-plays against the rough, penalty-prone Jets. https://nthistory.com/files/original/826592568bb76a287cf9a350d45da80d.pdf f32bed26b7a9450ac7af9b4eb7c5bfbe Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Strong minor leagues, NAHL recap, article (The Standard, 1976-04-15).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-04-15 https://nthistory.com/files/original/d12fc779911dc820578633c7de7bbdc5.pdf c0eed42db7f727e9ef4ea098ff20402a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Paul Newman assists Norsemen?, article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-20).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-20 https://nthistory.com/files/original/31f0ac20095668483a0a2e967eec9d73.pdf 757df6f84fbe84b256d0f5ea01ecfa9d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Attack was deliberate, says Neeld, article (The Province, 1976-04-01).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-04-01 https://nthistory.com/files/original/03592e2fcc6798ea90743b379cb77501.pdf bbb37674738f06bfbee88a1d33c76495 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Advertisement A graphic or text document produced by an entity for promotional purposes. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norsemen vs. Jets Game 4, ad (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-23).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-23 https://nthistory.com/files/original/47f457bda0b2ca23aef1e38a7e9ce26b.pdf 230c8178b3f9a9bf21984724d7ac335b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norsemen storybook tells an exciting tale, article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-26).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-26 https://nthistory.com/files/original/815c04470030b3549305d59ca5b737c4.pdf 7a8fbe1e4645ab5923c2cceddd5889de Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norsemen are down to their last chance, transcribed article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-25).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-25 Description An account of the resource Norsemen Are Down To Their Last Chance Special to Buffalo Evening News JOHNSTOWN, Pa., March 25 — The home ice advantage and improved goaltending gave the Johnstown Jets a one-game advantage in their playoff series with the Buffalo Norsemen Wednesday evening. Backed by the goaltending of Louie Levasseur, the Jets won their second straight game in the Cambria County War Memorial here, beating Buffalo, 6-2 before 3118 fans in their best-of-three Lockhart Cup quarter-final series. The pressure will be on the Norsemen this evening in the fourth game of the series, with the Jets holding a 2-1 edge. Game time is 7:45 PM in the Tonawanda Sports Center. --- IF THE Norsemen win, the two teams will play fifth and deciding game Saturday in Johnstown. If they lose, their first North American Hockey League season will be over. Levasseur, who led the Jets to the Lockhart Cup title last year, was not with the Jets in their opening-game loss to Buffalo. But he returned to win their last two games and will probably start again this evening. He made 33 saves, and the Jets outshot Buffalo, 43-35. Meanwhile, both Jim Makey and Mario Vien played in goal for Buffalo, neither with much success. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie on goals by the Jets’ Jean Tetreault and Dave Peace. Then Johnstown swamped the Norsemen with three unanswered second-period goals by Henry Taylor, Steve Carlson and Player-coach Jim Cardiff. --- BILLY STEELE interrupted the Jets, scoring for Buffalo early in the third. But Carlson scored again and Vern Cempigotto, Reg Bechtold and Bruce Boudreau all added singles for emphasis. Defenseman Greg Neeld will be back for Buffalo this evening after a one-game suspension, but Player-coach Guy Trottier will not be able to play after receiving a game misconduct. Protesting a call to Referee Steve Dowling, Trottier was called for the penalty after the first period Wednesday. It carries an automatic one-game suspension. https://nthistory.com/files/original/6e8cd91aae95b0cd2a9105dfd58fdbdb.jpg 14da6c64dff426fa96b0cdd0b00a5f33 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Newman at Johnstown, article (The Evening Standard, 1976-03-24.jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-24 https://nthistory.com/files/original/816a24fbf51f849bae0404aefd870365.pdf 31ccaaa4b7ccb815e4b400a4bf64d58f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Neeld had made "objectionable comments", article (Philadelphia Daily News, 1976-03-29).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-29 https://nthistory.com/files/original/7645787a9fe3955a9fbc6d68659f4921.pdf 04282c99416d45b1bdd2c413f84cc6d5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Neeld charges intimidation, article (The Montreal Star, 1976-03-31).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-31 https://nthistory.com/files/original/eb736567ce50c8727247b31665d056c4.pdf ec33ee4ac21aa4d50ddbdc3fcd1a89f0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource NAHL mess - Out of sight, out of mind, article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-30).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c06b3e5659b5ce482427716006bd0c3b.pdf d83b12346788110a32225a31cae671d3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Marshall says NAHL ignoring pre-game fight, article (The Globe and Mail, 1976-03-30).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e22f0e88296950e1fecb77affff10f23.pdf febae3a9b732a41dd14afa83e7c02607 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Marshall eyes future of Norsemen, article (The Evening News, 1976-03-30).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1593e6fab06ca3b493c421d22e4ccb60.pdf 884556021b8f8b7adcf3c5a7fc2be403 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Johnstown tops Buffalo, transcribed article (The Harrisburg PA Evening News, 1976-03-23).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-23 Description An account of the resource Johnstown tops Buffalo JOHNSTOWN (AP) — Rookie center Bruce Boudreau and veteran left wing John Gofton each scored two goals yesterday as the Johnstown Jets defeated the Buffalo Norsemen 6-4 in a North American Hockey League playoff game. The victory evened the best-of-five, Western Division semifinal series at one game apiece. Johnstown, the defending Lockhart Cup Champions, finished atop the division in the regular season while Buffalo finished fourth, 36 points back. The Jets outshot the Norsemen 46-30 with Dave Birch and Hank Taylor contributing single goals. Buffalo’s scores came from Dave Given, Charlie LaBelle, Larry Gould and Greg Neeld. https://nthistory.com/files/original/48d18ab242c3c99a0a459d4adf7a741a.pdf a101bf7f3454f4dc6e001ccff372b169 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Johnstown floods Buffalo net, transcribed article (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-23).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-23 Description An account of the resource Johnstown Floods Buffalo Net Special to Buffalo Evening News JOHNSTOWN, Pa., March 23 — The defending-champion Johnstown Jets re-emerged as the physical team they were throughout the North American Hockey League season and the results were the same. The Jets battered the Buffalo Norsemen, survived numerous shorthanded situations and scored a 6-4 Lockhart Cup quarter-final playoff victory here Monday evening before 2364 in the Cambria County War Memorial. The outcome evens the best-of-five series at one game each. The two teams clash here again tomorrow evening, with a fourth game set for the Tonawanda Sports Center Thursday at 7:45 PM. The Jets, listless in their opening-game loss to Buffalo Sunday, punished the Norsemen and outshot them, 47-30, despite being called for 55 minutes in penalties. The Norsemen were called for only 14 minutes. --- BRUCE BOUDREAU scored the only first-period goal on a breakaway to give Johnstown the lead, but Dave Peace tied the game early in the second on a controversial goal which the Jets claimed was batted in with a high stick. The Jets then ran up four goals in a 10-minute stretch. Boudreau scored his second, Henry Taylor tallied, and both assisted on a goal by Dave Birch. John Gofton netted the first of his two goals for a 5-1 lead. Charlie Labelle and Larry Gould brought the Norsemen within range with single goals, but Gofton’s second score on a power play at the 15:11 mark iced it. --- GREG NEELD scored Buffalo’s final goal while the Jets were two men short. But the young defenseman disqualified himself for tomorrow evening’s game when he threw his stick into the stands in anger at the end of the game. He received a game misconduct from Referee Gene Kusy after the game which carries an automatic one-game suspension. Mario Vien replaced Jim Makey in goal for Buffalo in the midst of the Jets’ four-goal surge. Each gave up three goals, with Vien making 24 saves. Makey 15. https://nthistory.com/files/original/3f0ecf5194edbb4890efbf24d1f77e03.jpg ab0323e0a6086f6955abda8e6be9f5dd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Jets win by default, face Firebirds tonight, article (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1976-03-28).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-28 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ea10046ebff5be5123bf8c3039274ddb.pdf 71fe12d68c82932f2cc15f39cca2d232 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource High-sticking duel, Dennis Anderson, photo (The Buffalo News, 1976-03-26).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-26 https://nthistory.com/files/original/92a23c5b50c9094686823ee1ad29461a.pdf 7334a906d7b155cd8722e4e83b5c1b75 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo contends NAHL dominated by "goon" hockey, article (The Daily Courier, 1976-03-30).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-03-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/81e02353cfe88e38dd4a23dddda89ca3.jpg 13e5b74c911799d6a2127f35e70a8689 https://nthistory.com/files/original/08eb0463604c1334df5907f4c41d2eed.jpg 7bdc53e3ee4b469f87dada4b91a0f704 https://nthistory.com/files/original/bc13b1d642aa8a8ad61da5fa43067782.TIF 94957f514c33b19da636e61d8fd5a16a https://nthistory.com/files/original/6657dab97c4c7ca6dd5f6ec1530d1699.TIF 5da24f645a60adeaa403cd9279bfb10f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Avenues / Ironton (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/83e.jpg" alt="Ironton and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr" />Ironton Street and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr See also: <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/lost-village-of-ironton/">The lost village of Ironton and the birth of the Avenues</a> and <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/141">Avenues Folk: Mary Kijowski-Konstanty of Fifteenth Ave</a>. Origins of Ironton The "spark" for Ironton arrives in 1873, when Niagara Furnace (later <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/16">Tonawanda Iron and Steel)</a> locates on the banks of the Niagara River near Wheatfield Street. The unofficial village of "Ironton" is named after the promising venture. After initial excitement (and investment in the surrounding land) however, the furnace shuts down after only a year in operation.  Early doings In 1875 map, homes are seen in the lower Avenues. Oliver Street business? Churches. Colonel Payne's estate is still intact across Payne and up to Dahlgren Place, the former northern limit of the early Avenues. Ironton Street from 1880s according to ArcGIS. "From 1880-1890, its population increased form 1,492 to 4,793," (Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York, p.110). In 1882, the establishment of a John Cichoki's <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1665">tavern on River Road</a> near Wheatfield street <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1543">is a foothold</a> for early Polish settlers. Grocers and butchers are nearby. In 1884 a "minor school in a small frame building" is established less than a quarter mile east down Wheatfield at Dahlgren Place (<a href="https://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1477">Buffalo Courier Express, 1905)</a>. In 1889 or 1890, the much larger, Richardsonian Romanesque style <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/64">Ironton Public School #2</a> opens at the corner of 1st Ave and Oliver Street.  The furnace burns again; the River Road industrial corridor The old Niagara Furnace site is expanded and relaunched in 1889 by Tonawanda Iron and Steel. The adjacent marshes and former farms once again become valuable real estate, with "manufacturing interests" courted for the valuable land along the river and railroad tracks. More Poles, Hungarians and others flock to the Avenues, bringing their languages, traditions and chickens with them. An 1891 guidebook describes the real estate situation: <blockquote>It was purchased from Pratt & Jewett by Geo. P. Smith and A. J. Hathaway, Oct. 15, 1889, replatted, and Jan. 1st, 1890, put on the market. Within a year 500 building lots had been sold and 100 houses erected. With June of the present year [1891] the Ironton Land Co. was incorporated with capital of §100,000 and everything bids fair for a prosperous career, as this is the river center of North Tonawanda corporation, and being traversed by all the rail- roads it cannot fail to secure prominent manufacturing interests. The Ironton addition is less than a mile from the North Tonawanda City Hall. With the Iron & Steel Works, the surrounding lumber interests and the bolt and nut works of Plumb, Burdict ct Barnard, which has recently been located on the adjoining property, this section of the city will make a convenient and desirable place for mechanics and business firms. It has the water supply, electric lights, and will soon be connected by the electric street car line. A double two story brick block for stores has just been completed on Oliver street, making a nice addition to the mercantile conveniences there, a $15,000 brick school house was erected a couple of years since, a church dedicated in August and this section has all the modern conveniences of the older part of the city.</blockquote> Land In November 1889, <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/smithgeorgep1897bio.html">George P. Smith</a> and <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/hathawayaj1897bio.html">A. J. Hathaway</a> buy land opposite the iron works. Incorporation into the City of North Tonawanda The village of "Ironton" (along with the villages of North Tonawanda, Gratwick and Martinsville) is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. The last remnant of the old village name is in its "Ironton Street," running along the west edge of the original avenues. It never had its own post office, or government, but it is an interesting part of the patchwork of the original city that has mostly now vanished from public recall. An increasingly Polish community on the Avenues For the numerous Polish on the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3436">original seven avenues</a>, their church is the center of their community. OLC is established on Center Ave, exactly where the grotto is today. It is later rebuilt just south. <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/98">Pettit Creek</a> flows through the area (it will be covered). <a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200105.pdf">The paving of Oliver Street being planned August 26, 1893. </a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> A progress report </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200169.pdf">about a month later</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">. October 5 </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200235.pdf">there is labor trouble between Poles and Italians</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">.</a> The upper avenues remain essentially woods and marshes until the 1940s, when settlement accelerates with the nationwide Baby Boom.  Notes:  * Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, of the State of New-York (1884, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEdAQAAIAAJ">Google Books)</a> Also has lots of details about new Goundry Street school and a brief mention of Gratwick school and enrollment figures.1890 "The village of Tonawanda is up and awake as far as educational matters are concerned. It has a progressive board of education composed of five members, all liberal men in their views. A new brick school building is nearly completed at Ironton, a suburb of the village, that would be a pride to any town."<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> </a> John Carr on Facebook in January 2017: "Go back to the 1800's and my great grandfather's farm, as well as several others, was there, extending from the river inland past Payne. The house was originally along the river. Eventually the lumber yards and steel mills pushed the property, and the house back from the river to Oliver (#849 or #869). In the 1890's, after his death, the property was sold off and developed into individual housing lots. At that time the area was annexed to North Tonawanda, before that the area was part of Wheatfield. Carr Street still exists by the town pool. Many of my great grand parents children and their families had homes in the area. We see the area today pretty much as it was developed then, however modernized a bit and not the capitol of industry it was then." <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b5be67cf0e05477e8f4ad3161ab51422">ArcGIS</a> and old map notes: <ul> <li>1860 map show Cap. O. Shepard in a few places. From Ohio. Buried there. H(enry) Rosebrock from Hanover, Germany (1880 Census); H. Luttman German. F. Roney</li> <li>Homes on Ironton Street range between 1870 (96 Ironton), 1880 (144 Ironton) and into the early 1900s. Some Year 0s (e.g., 188).</li> <li>The River Rd - Wheatfield "businesses" at southeast corner are 1900-1930, couple of year 0s, though 1886 map shows SOMETHING there earlier.</li> <li>Weston & Son lumber all around in 1886 maps, Stocum & DeGraff south across Summer</li> <li>Simson Street: Properties start at 1860 (23 Simson), couple 1880s and 0s. "Rua, Joseph M" listed as owned on many.  1875 map it's called "Judd Ave, and names of homeowners are given (several Simsons); Called "Miller" in 1886 map. Early enclave for nearby mill, predating even Iron Works? </li> </ul> Map A diagram of a geographical area's major arteries of transportation, buildings, land owners and terrain. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ironton addition, George P. Smith and August J. Hathaway subdivision, map (1891-04-27).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1891-04-27 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/a5b8c954665b97d0252bc6c589ea31b5.jpg 3377535e7c0a624c2317440f748b9d3a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Owner would raze Plaza Apartments, article (Tonawanda News, 1938-05-24).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-05-24 https://nthistory.com/files/original/cd6a87cd9d51e7a8fa36f97ea607b3ff.jpg e3a4d0532d1f213a6d2b0d9021ef7350 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Lost - Our only skyscraper, article (Tonawanda News, 1938-08-11).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-08-11 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1f14f59d723ebd7f1c28a4835648a7eb.jpg 9a69f612e856b1a226146fe9f0fb13ac Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 25-story skyscraper to rise on Plaza Partments site, April Fools story (Tonawanda News, 1938-04-01).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-04-01 https://nthistory.com/files/original/d525f7401c080ac050519c41a23b92a2.jpg f60d5b13e903dba1389385bf1ee98db1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel, photo (1934-08).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-08 factory ironton https://nthistory.com/files/original/92a5b152cd319270ff33901bc2c0533e.jpg 3a006041efd96d5385cd2691e17fb40e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Trains and Trolleys Description An account of the resource Trains Soon after the Erie Canal is completed, railroads begin to compete for business. From <a href="https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/930152959">researchworks.oclc.org</a>: <blockquote>In 1834 the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company was incorporated to take over the Buffalo and Black Rock Company. It extended the lines to Niagara Falls and into Tonawanda. In 1853 the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company was leased by New York Central Railroad and was merged in 1855.</blockquote> From <a href="https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-municipal-history/railroads-of-niagara-falls/the-buffalo-niagara-falls-railroad/">niagarafallsinfo.com</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad was incorporated on May 3rd, 1834. The Legislature of the State of New York passed a law to empower the railroad to construct a single or double track railroad between the City of Buffalo and the <a href="https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-municipal-history/the-city-of-the-falls-plan/the-idea-for-the-city-of-the-falls/">Village at Niagara Falls</a>. The railroad had a mandate to operate for a 50 year term and was empowered to absorb all rights, privileges and franchises belonging to the Buffalo and Black Rock Railroad Company, which had been built and was being operated by horse power. The Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad began operating in 1845. The 28 mile trip from Buffalo to Niagara Falls was a three hour journey being pulled by a wood stoked steam locomotive.... In 1852, the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad relocated their tracks to the west side of the Erie Canal. On December 22nd 1853, the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad was leased to the New York Central Railroad. On April 23rd 1869, the New York Central Railroad began operations within the Niagara escarpment.</blockquote> From <a href="https://buffalohistory.org/Explore/Exhibits/virtual_exhibits/buffalo_anniversary/175th/page_e1.htm">buffalohistory.org</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo and Niagara Falls Rail Road was the first in Erie County to use steam locomotives. Service from Black Rock to Tonawanda began in August, 1836; from Buffalo to Tonawanda in September; and by November, 1836, the train ran on a regular schedule between Buffalo & Niagara Falls.</blockquote> Railroads on the maps The <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/3974">1837 Tonawanda/Whitehaven map</a> shows the B&NF railroad already established on Webster. It also shows a "Road to Lockport" and a "Proposed railroad to Lockport" heading out "Detroit Street" (later, Goundry Street). In <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1258">this 1838 map</a>, it appears the former "road" hosts a new "Tonawanda & Lockport Railroad." Some more info from <a href="https://www.newyorkcentraltrainstation.org/history-new-york-central-train-station">newyorkcentraltrainstattion.org.</a> By <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/3560">1852</a>, a third line, "The Canandaigua and Niagara Falls," is added. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmira_and_Lake_Ontario_Railroad">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>On July 1, 1853, the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad opened between Canandaigua and North Tonawanda. It was also 6 ft (1,829 mm) broad gauge, and was leased by the Canandaigua & Elmira RR, giving it access to the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge.</blockquote> In <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1664">this 1854 map</a>, The Canandaigua route has changed to run south of the Erie Canal and then be carried over the canal into North Tonawanda at the foot of Oliver street. The cantilever bridge will later be built here. By the time of <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/240">this 1875 map</a>, a third railroad crosses the canal into North Tonawanda: The Erie, at the foot of Vandervoort street. As late as 1908, there are still tracks on the east side of Webster street. Looks like the railroad agrees to remove them in December 1921, not sure when it happens. Trolleys Before everybody in North Tonawanda could afford their very own muffler-less Honda Civic to run up and down Oliver Street, trolleys were an important means of personal transportation. Several lines ran throughout the city, moving people to and from their jobs, churches, or just out for a look around. Though they may seem romantic to us now, people griped about the trolleys the same way we complain about snow plows today. Apparently their slow speed was sometimes targeted: An item in this set describes a "well-known peddler" in the Gratwick area who is injured by a trolley car. The author drolly observes, "'Twould have been a real miracle if a Gratwick car could have got up enough speed to have killed him" (Tonawanda News, 1908-2-13). The trolley era did not last long. By the 1920s, the electric streetcar had been passed by the gasoline-powered bus as the most prevalent means of public transportation. Another article in this set from the Tonawanda News, "Carpenter now operates 14 busses in the Tonawandas," outlines the rise of the Carpenter Rapid Transit buses. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tried to block Ely's road, article (Niagara Falls Gazette, 1895-05-14).jpg Description An account of the resource Transcribed by AI: TRIED TO BLOCK ELY’S ROAD. North Tonawanda Firemen Called Out to Prevent Track Laying. An effort was made in North Tonawanda last night to block the Ely trolley line to Buffalo. A gang of George P. Smith’s workmen attempted to lay tracks across Payne avenue at Robinson street, but were prevented by firemen under orders from the street committee. The Smith Company have a franchise on Robinson street and were laying their tracks by virtue of it, although the plain object is to block the Ely line. At 7 o’clock about 20 men were at work on the point named when Trustees Geib and Wilcox of the street committee told J. A. Read to have the men stop work. The reason for ordering the men to stop was that the work should have been done in the day time. The foreman said he had orders from Mr. Smith to quit work and he could not do so. The committee then went to the nearest fire alarm box and called up a fire company. The laborers continued to spike down tracks until a well directed stream of water ended their ardor for work and they stopped. The committee then took the team from the hook and ladder truck and pulled up the rails. At 9 o’clock the Smith workmen abandoned their work. Watchmen were stationed on the scene to prevent further work. It is possible another attempt will be made today. There is much excitement over the action of the committee as well as that of Smith. The fight is supposed to be between the two companies and out of the hands of the village. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-05-14 https://nthistory.com/files/original/dc59e6f7f2a59dfc2bb335e5d9ece9e4.jpg dd5975395a8300bda53644f8e81e910d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. People A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description. Birth Date 1842 Death Date 1927 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource George Perry Smith (1842-1928).per Description An account of the resource 1897 Biography: "George P. Smith Smith, George P., one of the most enterprising men of Niagara county, was born in Lockport, June 15, 1842, a son of Hon. Henry P, and Christina (Long) Smith and was educated in Genesee College. ln 1862 he removed to Saginaw Bay, Mich., where he has since been interested in the lumber business; in 1874 he returned to North Tonawanda, which has since been his home, except an additional nine years spent in Saginaw. He has done a great deal for North Tonawanda through his connection with the Tonawanda Lumber & Saw Mill Company, the Tonawanda Standard Light and Power Company, the Standard Gas Company, the Ironton Land Company, the United States Water Company, the Niagara Real Estate and Investment Company, the North Tonawanda Land Company, and the Tonawanda Street Railway Company. In 1884 Mr. Smith married Susan Otterson of Michigan, who was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Can." - From Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, by William Pool, D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, NY, 1897. <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/smithgeorgep1897bio.html">GenWeb</a>. <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/3624">President of multiple companies</a>. In 1893 sells his Tonawanda home to Martin Reisterer for $18,000 and plans to build a new one in Ironton. [Ends up on Christiana St. instead]. In 1895 involved in dispute with city and Ely tracks. He died on 17 April 1928, in Missoula, Missoula, Montana, United States, at the age of 85 according to <a href="https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KL7D-152/george-perry-smith-1842-1928">FamilySearch.com</a> <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/16653079/person/522414070/facts">Ancestry.com</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1842 https://nthistory.com/files/original/2c566daf4a2ab428cfee979d4e802b7d.jpg 85dab3ffeb129314ad647d341fd3ada0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The rise and fall of the Plaza Apartments, transcribed article (Tonawanda News, 1938-07-02).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-07-02 Description An account of the resource Transcribed by AI There's an old saying that everything that goes up must come down, and the truth of this statement is being borne out in the Tonawandas these days with the razing of the Plaza apartments on the corner of Tremont and Main streets. The work being done on the condemned building is causing a mild bit of attention, as each day sees it approaching the level of the ground that has supported it for 42 years. Its erection and final completion in 1896 caused appropriate notice. A newspaper of that period reported: "On the corner of Webster and Tremont streets, Mr. George P. Smith, one of the leading developers of North Tonawanda, has this year erected a towering six-story business block. From the top of the elevator tower the historian recently spent a half hour taking a birds-eye view of this city and its surroundings.” Mr. Smith was indeed one of the leading citizens of old North Tonawanda. He was the son of the Hon. H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith, for whom Christiana street is named. The younger Smith was raised entirely in North Tonawanda and became engaged in the lumber business. His great executive ability finally led him to become, not only the head of that concern, but also president of the Standard Light and Power company, the Standard Gas company of Tonawanda, the Tonawanda Street Railroad company, the Ironton Land company of North Tonawanda, the United States Water Works company, the North Tonawanda Land company, and the Niagara Real Estate and Insurance company. https://nthistory.com/files/original/c538c4d52d207ee4c27bd7a9ce7d7582.jpg cbe9f815e8d6d6dadc407bcb696757ad Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Razing work is started on Plaza Apartmets, article (Tonawanda News, 1938-06-15).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-06-15 https://nthistory.com/files/original/2e3c0dcae324bc2dd30965cec78dd225.pdf 33b2ea1a18c0653b708f15963abc5b75 https://nthistory.com/files/original/8572219220999dcfb6303c82d1181d02.pdf fb69578f0324e70eb3376ff0422ee440 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Plaza Apartments fire origin is undetermined, article (Tonawanda News, 1938-02-19).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-02-19 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1c193e55dd619b0de36fc0f5ffb1c54c.jpg 1221fdacdf4805523054f7ea78226faf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Inquiry ordered into taxes of Plaza apartmets, article (Tonawanda News, 1938-05-17).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938-05-17 https://nthistory.com/files/original/0cdaf0875e0065f6986d1c8f4455081d.jpg fbbc6a7c0dcad381801b4ce8f791d32c https://nthistory.com/files/original/1709267bdd3f0e4a18dec6a3a5e581c9.png 29c02966b4b3e2cb9fbb3a0a75f94063 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Smith Real Estate Exchange Building (1892-1938) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/156.jpg" alt="The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936." /> The six-story Smith Building, c. 1936.At six stories, the towering Smith Real Estate Exchange building at the northeast corner of Webster and Tremont Streets was once the tallest building in the Tonawandas. It afforded <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/933">magnificent views</a> of the exploding young city. Brief history from Tonawanda News, February 19, 1938: <blockquote>The building was erected in 1892 [another source states finished in 1896] by George P. Smith and was known as the Smith building for a number of years. When the Riviera theater and other new buildings were erected in the block, bounded by Tremont, Webster and Main streets the Smith Building was taken over by the present owners and subsequently converted into small apartments. Originally the building had ten apartments and offices on the Webster street side of the building with the exception of the first floor, which was occupied by stores and other business places. There are approximately 30 apartments in the present building.</blockquote> <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4866">George Perry Smith</a> As the son of H. R. Smith and Christiana Long Smith (of Christiana Street fame), George P. Smith hails from impeccable Tonawandas pioneer stock. Smith is heavily involved in lumber and real estate (he is president of the Ironton Land Co. and involved with the North Tonawanda Land Co.,) and also rises to leadership in several local utility and transportation companies, operating "Smith's" streetcar line.  A fire in Smith's building is described in the Niagara Sun, January 21st, 1898: <blockquote>It is believed the fire started in George P. Smith’s office in the south-west corner on the fifth floor. Large holes were burned through the ceiling, floor and walks. The flames climbed to the sixth floor and entered the offices of Barrall & Snowy, city engineers, where many valuable maps and records were stored. Quite a number of new maps were ruined and others badly damaged, among them being the maps of North Tonawanda and Wheatfield which were completed about two months ago after nearly a year’s work.</blockquote> Plaza Apartments The Smith building is later (1930) known as  as the Plaza Apartments at 89 Webster Street. It burns again on February 18, 1938. Owner Max Yellen of Buffalo considers razing just the top three floors, then decides to raze it all, having lost thousands of dollars on the building annually. It is taken down a few months later. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Smith Building, former Real Estate Exchange, photo (c.1936).jpg Description An account of the resource Smith Dining Car also pictured. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1936 photo webster https://nthistory.com/files/original/23f1bc11804f87b737f259b1da87cf38.jpg 6b432d263b53002bd58eb30535df4682 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Lumber Business of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/48.jpg" alt="Map of the Lumber District of the Tonawandas, 1893" />In the heyday of the Tonawandas' lumber years, practically every available inch of the Niagara riverfront and Tonawanda Island is covered in lumber (shown as lettered, colored portions in the map above). <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/1848">1893 Sanborn Insurance map</a>. In the mid-to-late 19th century, vast forests of Midwest timber are cut, dressed and shipped by water to the exploding towns and cities of the east, largely through the Tonawandas. The villages' advantageous location (between the Great Lakes and the Erie Canal) and the natural harbor afforded by Tonawanda Island make it one of the largest lumber ports in the country by 1890. A lock allows small craft to jump between the Niagara River and the Erie Canal via the non-canalized portion of Tonawanda Creek. Scores of lumber comanies spring up here, and their yards vaccum up almost every available inch of real estate along the Niagara River, Tonawanda Creek, and Tonawanda Island. Docks are built over the water, and millions of feet of lumber stored in great blocks are stacked to the sky. They are brought here largely on lake vessels from Lake Erie, where they are moved onto canal boats by lumbershovers and stevedores and hauled by canal boat captains (along with other goods) to points east. The big business means big money, and conflict between the laborers and employers sometimes turns deadly. Articles in this collection describe the lumbershovers strikes of 1892 and 1893, the first of which resulted in the death of a police officer, and both of which required the National Guard to be deployed. A separate collection, "<a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/136">Murder at the Docks</a>," digs into the 1895 double murder of canal boat captain Lorenzo Phillips and his son Charles as the captain attempted to haul a load of lumber from P. W. Scribner's Tonawanda dock in defiance of a boatmen's union agreement. As the forests of the midwest were depleted and shipping routes and technology changed, the lumber heyday of the Tonawandas receded into the past. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource R. T. Jones Lumber Co., photo (c.1938).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938 photo https://nthistory.com/files/original/92033a81780e833490e6e7d646bbac9c.jpg 4321e9f96cfa66bfce0fb7a3c24facb3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Paper Company Description An account of the resource (1898-1975?) The International Paper occupied the northern edge of Tonawanda Island for over 50 years, processing lumber for use in magazines and stationery. Organized in 1898 and uniting disparate interests across New York and New England, the company in 1931 purchased the paper mill that had been established by the Tonawanda Paper Company on Tonawanda Island in 1924. Many residents still recall the distinctive odor of the factory, and its green treatment wells still stand conspicuously on Tonawanda Island's eastern shore. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <ul> <li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=O9g8BQAAQBAJ&dq">Tonawanda and North Tonawanda 1940-1960</a>, page 10, Historical Society of the Tonawandas</li> <li><a href="https://theniagarabranch.wordpress.com/international-paper-north-tonawanda/">International Paper North Tonawanda, The Niagara Branch blog. </a>Acccessed January, 2017.</li> </ul> Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Paper Co., photo (c.1938).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938 photo tonawandaisland https://nthistory.com/files/original/7c26c21f6c91c83232810dfb8692e785.jpg fb3c725be11bbac16297525b1fdca9d4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Webster to Main Street Bridges Description An account of the resource ? - 1916: The Long Bridge - Engineers were already discussing the replacement of the Long Bridge when weeks of heavy spring flooding and a collision with an out-of-control scow compromise the middle support pier on the evening of March 28th, 1916. Around 10 p.m. that evening, bridge pedestrians hear a great crash and feel vibrations. "Several of the women on the structure became so weak from fright they had to be assisted from the bridge by their escorts" (Tonawanda News, March 29, 1916). The police quickly close the bridge traffic. But the worst is not over. The bridge begins slowly sinking into the creek and is soon impassable. The New York Telephone Company (whose main cable crossed the bridge) warns connectivity between the halves of the Niagara Frontier might be cut off. More canal boats are carried by the current over the dam and into the bridges, as is the body of a North Tonawanda schoolteacher, Miss Mary Hill, who was missing since January. It is presumed a suicide, though "no cause has been assigned for her act" (Ibid). 1920-1978: The bascule (lift) bridge - The replacement bridge was engineered to open and let masted boats to pass on the south side. According to a plaque on the site, it was built by the Bethlehem Steel Bridge Corporation. The <a href="https://www.eriecanal.org/texts/Whitford/1921/chap32.html">Whitford book on eriecanal.org</a> gives the following contract information: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Contract No.</td> <td>Work</td> <td>Contractor</td> <td>Date</td> <td>Cost</td> </tr> <tr> <td>147</td> <td>Bascule bridge, Main and Webster Sts., Tonawanda</td> <td>Lathrop, Shea & Henwood Co.</td> <td>9/10/17</td> <td>$254,019</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> This collection features photos of the bascule bridge in its heyday, as well as a black-and-white series depicting its 1978 demolition, and the rerouting of the Main and Young street approaches. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bascule bridge opening, Webster Street, photo (c.1938).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938 bridge photo webster https://nthistory.com/files/original/203ad2391faf2b0eaf4713f078248692.jpg 436d862eb78889f4c07d6669ccbdbc18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo Norsemen Hockey Club (1975-1976) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="A team photo of the Buffalo Norsemen in their only season, 1975-1976." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/9c.jpg" />The Buffalo Norsemen team photo at Tonawanda Sports Center. Front row, L-R: Mario Viens, Paul Crowley, Willie Marshall (GM), Larry Gould (C), Guy Trottier (player-coach), Bill Steele (A), Jim Mackey. Back row, L-R: Gary Stevens (trainer), Derek Harker, Wayne Morin, Shane McConvey, Reg Lahey, Dave Peace, Greg Neeld, Charlie Labelle, Claude Noel (A), Jim Stanfield, Keke Mortson, Denis Anderson, (unknown), Dave Given. Photo from late in the season, after Feb. 7, 1976. This NAHL semi-pro hockey team plays a single season (1975-1976) at the <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/116">Tonawanda Sports Center</a> on Ridge Road in North Tonawanda. Today, the facility is used at the North Tonawanda bus garage and NT Inter-Church Food Pantry. <div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img src="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norsemen-mascot-Hagar-small-1.png" style="width: 150px;" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 800; width: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.14em; color: #244b2e; display: block; text-align: center; margin: 2.6rem 0 3rem 0; padding: 1.1rem 0 0.9rem 0; border-top: 5px solid #244b2e; border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;">THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BUFFALO NORSEMEN</div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-part-1/">Part 1: Tonawanda Sports Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-2-training-camp/">Part 2: Countdown to Training Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-norsemen-3-norsemen-v-sabres/">Part 3: Hockey Night in Tonawanda: Norsemen v. Sabres Rookies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/norsemen-4-characters/">Part 4: Inside the Norsemen Locker Room: The Cast of Characters</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/buffalo-vs-everyone-the-norsemens-winter-of-discontent/">Part 5: Buffalo vs. Everyone</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/an-unbelievable-end/">Part 6: An Unbelievable End</a></li> </ul> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #a4b89f; background: #f2f5f1; margin-top: 0px;"></div> Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norsemen team photo 2 (c.1976-02-08).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976-02-08 Description An account of the resource NOT IN OTHER PHOTO 30 - 11 - Gordon Nielson? (C, appears in 2/27 program, 4GP) 9 - Robbie Balyc? (NA, appears in 2/27 program, 19GP). Randy Montgomery? 12/27 10 - 20 - Bob Barnes? (D, appears in 2/27 program, 23 GP); George Kuzmicz? 12/27 NOT IN THIS PHOTO 9 - Bill Steele (in Jets 1/2?) 30 - Jim Makey (he is in 2/27 program w P. Rupp) 10 - Labelle (he is in 2/27) 12 - Dave Given (in Jets 1/2?) 20 - Dennis Anderson (in Jets 1/2?) https://nthistory.com/files/original/62f75123a87ca51cbab79f3809636d79.jpg 13b1c58bf32fdb7bc970841503ac735a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Art of North Tonawanda by Dennis Reed Jr Description An account of the resource I am not only interested in local history, but I also enjoy sketching and painting local scenes! <a href="mailto:info@nthistory.com">Email me</a> to buy prints of any of the art here, or follow my art through my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/agenbyte">Facebook group</a>. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource South Swing Bridge, pen and ink (2026-02-19).jpg art https://nthistory.com/files/original/b7ccd0b9f70ab9d1b6d16b59a4c14d37.pdf 1a3800974864108e2cc82b7ec51cf923 Book An extensive textual resource. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pioneer Period of Western New York, book (Chipman P. Turner, 1888).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1888 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pettit's Run and the Easiest Victory of the War of 1812 - Excerpted from Pioneer Period of Western New York, Chipman P. Turner, pp. 35-36 (1888).htm Description An account of the resource A slight haze rose from the marshes on the borders of the Niagara River, but not enough to shroud the banks or the road that lay along its shore in obscure darkness. It was the route from the year 1800 for military transfer from Fort Niagara to Black Rock, Buffalo and other western points. The march of regiments, companies and detachments, was a common, hourly expected occurrence, not usually creating surprise or apprehension of peril. The tragedy of Lewiston had been enacted, creating constant fear in the minds of all. Buffalo and Black Rock were threatened points. Volunteer regiments had been drafted from eastern sections to the rescue, timidly approaching the scene of war, to which they were unaccustomed; crackling brush, a rustling leaf, were startling omens, and prudence in advancing was deemed “the better part of valor,” and made the adopted strategy in the instance related. The scene of action, according to the record of the time, may be placed at what is known as “Pettitt’s Run,” taking the name of Joshua Pettitt, locating at its junction with the Niagara river, a short two miles below Tonawanda, as early as 1810. Nearly as early a settler as Pettitt, was George N. Burger, who made a beginning by erecting a log house, which in the exigency of war was appropriated by the government as an arsenal for the depositing of arms and ammunition, guarded by a small number of volunteer citizens. The hour of midnight had but just passed when the vigilant watchman were aroused by the footsteps of marching men, tramp of horses and mud-bound wheels of a wagon train, in slow progress up the river. Whether friend or foe was yet to be determined; moments were not to be wasted or retreat justified, without at least the best defence that could be made. Necessity became “the mother of invention,” and proved to be the available relief. The stream passed through a bed of mud, mixed with melting snow, bridged in rough corduroy, that proved fitting for the success of the exploit they had resolved upon. An old dilapidated, one-horse lumber wagon was employed to represent a cannon, “big gun,” by trundling it over the uneven logs. Burger in the full strength of his voice, giving the command: “Bring up the guns, form in line!” while the wagon was drawn again and again by the squad noiselessly through the mud, and thundering back over the bridge, to create the imaginary array of a host. Soon an order was heard directing a halt of the approaching volunteer militia, that was yet to see battle, if at all, while preparations commenced to meet the sudden surprise. Outlooks detached from both the trembling parties approaching each other in hailing distance and in sight of each other, it was discovered they were the same color of clothes; greeting each other as friends, the Colonel, surprised that “ten should overcome a thousand and one,” while Captain Burger exulted that he and his few comrades had gained the easiest victory of the war of 1812. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1813-12-24 transcription https://nthistory.com/files/original/5f185136672728dcd5a224be5d8bc5a6.jpg 7343a6ec07853fbcdee36d3b8c46afdc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ironton School Description An account of the resource Designed by architects Johnstone & Eggert, Ironton Public School #2 opens in 1889 at the corner of 1st Ave and Oliver Street (present-day Elizabeth Harvey Apartments / Olmsted Center for Sight). From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">Tonawanda and North Tonawanda: The Lumber City</a> (1891): <blockquote>The rapid growth of North Tonawanda in the Ironton district, together with the crowded condition for the union school, demanded increased facilities, and on November 15, 1888, $10,000 was voted to build an edifice in that locality. The amount was increased to $15,000 and the building erected in 1889 is of modern design, and well adapted to school use.</blockquote> By 1915 the school is overcrowded, and forced to rent rooms across the street to hold kindergarten. In 1926 Ironton Public School #7 (later known as <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/7">Gil</a><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/7">more School</a>) is built to accomodate demand. The Ironton School building is later used as a vocational school (its students and equipment were moved to the new BOCES on Saunders Settlement Rd c.1970). It is briefly considered for the NiaCAP Headstart before being privately purchased to store cars. After years of neglect it is demolished.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Ironton School principal Walter Luman Case, bio (c.1890).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890 person https://nthistory.com/files/original/2704f9bd3c71107718c730cb9c7ac8ac.jpg 1dd8b07ee61b808d5393afea8469bcbc https://nthistory.com/files/original/0ea85094848cccca0447e4e86879f460.jpg 459db64c1ddadb018e68b0f758ab95da https://nthistory.com/files/original/63700681ce6209240f52c2e4b605657f.jpg fd60383b4c9ecaee9a87dded916c3804 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c37d51c32d4a33669214d8087a24cd8b.jpg 2809bf26d115ea2bc6ad4788b9bc12ae https://nthistory.com/files/original/dfac9e3bdd4bbe729f359559f0796e6e.jpg 857124b4374a4b01e2143b2e8740be91 https://nthistory.com/files/original/9f77eaca55c0c5632ada0b0f74e902b9.jpg a35c5354ee610fba93ad451b70209702 https://nthistory.com/files/original/49d49293b0554a949c39c20d87122bd0.jpg f02a870b016c32f45c78862dc922872e https://nthistory.com/files/original/6a383c24d38f5408da6fdfc80f34eeb0.jpg 4043f1c70f051add7b87645313c8f0d0 https://nthistory.com/files/original/94e47646e033ba4284e63ea65f84c880.jpg 8cf533df2853708ae233532e095f2ef9 https://nthistory.com/files/original/5d5290c0db83562ef51a1e24306371fc.jpg 7794efafa24a5a5f3ef7e6743a0b4e86 https://nthistory.com/files/original/12eef971e116f3f89a1946f59543b45e.jpg 74de46b8b1a5c2c70034b40e63e0bb1a https://nthistory.com/files/original/a45ef891332438e6d71c270ed4351222.jpg a2ecd1dbbf86f64a105c02ce814a04e5 https://nthistory.com/files/original/bbe27971c4ef48e5bb36b7aa6cf71f42.jpg 86f51d196b812e7fb9184855ac943253 https://nthistory.com/files/original/cb1617643479b62f12169194f73424d8.jpg f814526b812a82a131064b595570f682 https://nthistory.com/files/original/6be469e7039a3eace8f1cc0cbeaee031.jpg b54cd765bc287e4c297b02f1c1c1d8a5 https://nthistory.com/files/original/12bfe25fbabcdf661db725086edcc273.jpg 9bce9268448aef93ad189101fb252351 https://nthistory.com/files/original/3f0e8ce67cf7c73c57ef32ff7afffad8.jpg 20b48df55d8dde7837508c3c16ebd634 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Map of Gratwick area and dockage illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/93b.jpg" />1877 SurveyIn 1870 W. H. Gratwick of Buffalo purchases 50 acres along the Niagara River from Benjamin Felton and John Simson. By 1879 the White, Gratwick & Mitchell Lumber Company has a planing mill and substantial lumberyards on the site. They employ 450 men, mostly of German origin, who settle northeast of the facilities. The village’s main street, Felton, is named after Benjamin F. Felton. By 1884 there is a "neat frame" school house with one teacher and 30 pupils, built by Felton (school board president at the time). Gratwick is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. From the guidebook "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">North Tonawanda and Tonawanda</a>" (1891): <blockquote>Among the pioneers in the wholesale lumber trade of this place was W.H. Gratwick, who, in 1870, purchased fifty acres from Hon. John Simson and B.F. Felton, adjoining the Niagara River, about two miles below the mouth of Tonawanda Creek, and started a lumberyard. A half dozen years later P.W. Ledoux built the sash, door, and blind factory, which a few years later was purchased by Parks & Son, who operated the same until its recent purchase by Hollister Brothers. Mr. Gratwick erected a large planing mill in 1879, and from that time forward the place has steadily grown until it now has about 1,000 inhabitants. The lumber and mill interests of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, Touawanda Lumber Co., and Hollister Brothers will be mentioned on other pages. Augustus Miller. — After the lumber interests, the next manufactory of importance in Gratwick is the wagon shop at the corner of Oliver and Felton streets. This was built in 1887 by August Miller, and besides doing all kinds of blacksmith and iron repair work, puts up a quantity of wagons, trucks, and other new work. Mr. Miller employs from five to ten men and has added an important industry to Gratwick, in a line of diversified manufacturing for which there is much room for development. Churches, Schools, Etc. — A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Gratwick in 1887, and the membership, a short time afterwards, commenced the erection of a church, which with lot, is worth about $3,000. This Avas dedicated in 1889 and has been in charge of Rev. J.S. Duxbury up to the present writing. St. Peter's German Evangelical church was organized April 5, 1888, by Rev. Kottler and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Conrad Bachman, who was educated at the missionschool ot Basle, Switzerland, came to this charge in October, 1888, and teaches the parochial school. Some sixty families are connected with this church. Gratwick has a public school with about 100 pupils, a brass band, two hose companies, and other societies; numerous hotels, stores, coal offices, and abundance of saloons. It was made a part of North Tonawanda corporation the present year, since which it has been placed in connection with the water mains, has electric lights, and other corporation advantages. Riverside. — From Gratwick station to the corporation limits on the west is nearly a mile, and as the river presents a graceful curve and nice beach in this vicinity, it has been proposed to call the station which will probably be located one and a half miles below Gratwick, "Riverside." Last year the Riverside Land Co. was incorporated and purchased forty acres on the north side of the Erie railroad, mostly within the new corporate limits. The officers are H.E. Warner, Pres.; J.A. Kuck, of Buflalo, V.P.; Charles W. Archibald, of North Tonawanda, Sec, and L. Landauer, of Albion, Treas. Bluff Point. — E.A. Milliman, a farmer and contractor, of Wheatfield town, has been seven times appointed a deputy collector, which office he now holds. Mr. Milliman owns a handsome farm of 120 acres at Bluff Point, bounded on the west and south by the Niagara River. The river at this point has a clean gravel shore with high bluff, making a delightful place for a summer location. Editor's note: <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607">1878 illustration and modern photo</a> G.F. Goerss, also a deputy collector, owns a fifty-acre farm near the mile line, which is handsomely located and will presently be within the radius of development. Last year he erected a dwelling in Gratwick. Mr. Goerss was born in Wheatfield and is an authority on real estate values. He has been supervisor, J.P., Justice of Sessions, and in 1887-8 a member of Assembly.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/browse?tags=gratwick">More items tagged "Gratwick" ></a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Island Street Lumber Co. Mill, 11 Felton Street, photo set (Dennis Reed Jr., 2025).gal Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Description An account of the resource A business of the same name produces <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/542">this ruler</a> and gives an address of 65 Island Street. https://nthistory.com/files/original/a2bdfe8c4029f01c2a620846e75b9f64.jpeg 449954705476eb0d8bbe42f1f85862c3 https://nthistory.com/files/original/494fc7063555cd2f454b7543aa6183ec.jpeg 66c1fb913a8fdc9c33e348e7b569d194 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="The former Niagara Musical Instrument Mfg. Co. on Thompson Street in North Tonawanda, as it may have appeared in 1930, thirteen years after closing. AI rendering of a still frame from a video in the Hamp collection of the Histoerical Society of the Tonawandas." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/75.jpg" />The former Niagara Musical Instrument Mfg. Co. on Thompson Street in North Tonawanda, as it may have appeared in 1930, thirteen years after closing. Artificial Intelligence rendering of a <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1674">still frame from a video</a> in the Hamp collection of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas. The conspicuous depression of Felton Field (a former quarry and later train yard) is in the foreground. (1905-1917) The carousels being made in North Tonawanda open another, related market: automatic musical instruments such as band organs to accompany the rides. The Niagara Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company enters this business in early 1905. In early 1905, "articles of partnership" are submitted to the Niagara County Clerk: <blockquote>TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Articles of partnership of the Niagara Musical Instrument Manufacturing company were filed today with the county clerk. The object of the company is to manufacture barrel organs and other musical instruments, and $1,500 is to be used to carry on this business. The directors, who are all from North Tonawanda, are as follows: Frank Morganti, Louis Schultz, George Schultz, William Herschell and Duncan Sinclair. Lockport Journal, February 17, 1905.</blockquote> The company is incorporated on September 30, 1905, with $25,000 capital. Its president, Frank Morganti, is a longtime former employee of Eugene de Kleist's <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/24">North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory</a>. Signatures on the company's 1905 incorporation papers include those of William Herschell, the man who arranged for de Kleist’s coming to America to make organs, as well as machinist William Strassburg. Also: <ul> <li>Duncan Sinclair</li> <li>Frederick Schultz</li> <li>William H. Griffin</li> <li>Louis Schultz</li> <li>William D. Trimble</li> </ul> Niagara produces Niagara Military Band Organs ("The Organ That Is Different," one ad insists) for carousels, dance halls, roller rinks and sideshows. In 1906 Niagara loses some if its leadership, including president Frank Morganti, to the larger and better funded <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/10">North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works</a>. Niagara continues on, and completes a second small expansion of it modest plant in August 1910. They target the silent film theatre market that year with their "En-Symphonie" orchestrion. The "Midget Orchestra" and similar instruments follow. Business appears to be booming in 1914, as the company pays out a dividend of 10% to its stockholders that January. However, in October 1917, the Foster Specialty Company of Buffalo purchases the "patents, goodwill, stock in trade, and equipment" of Niagara. In spite of reports that Foster intends to "immediately develop the business...on a large scale," the enterprise is never heard from again. Reader Andrew Barrett contributes the names C. E. Phillips and J. F. Preston as probable Niagara sales people in 1909 and probably thru 1910. <a href="http://nthistory.com/niagara">PHOTO SEARCH: Learn about the search for a photograph of Niagara! </a> Postcard A pictorial representation of a place or entity, intended to be written upon and mailed. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara Musical Instrument Co., mailer (1914-04-27).jpg Description An account of the resource Featuring a photo of the so-called "Midget Orchestra" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1914-04-27 collection organ postcard https://nthistory.com/files/original/7810580b7f2c0ba63542c6440e3a58cd.png 6a06679c36fa19b8d3c5874f73cef3d3 Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Incinerator Walck and Zimmerman, photo (Dennis Reed Jr. 2008-01-16).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2008 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e2747b237512e0561c24327c00bbfe53.jpg 80a50ef0a08fcdc548232beb0fe2a211 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Power Co. car and probably High Speed line, photo (Power News c. 1926).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1926 building trolley https://nthistory.com/files/original/63d919dd0724accdc2d7552365368700.jpg 7d39ff4d882cda51a4c5839bef5a96d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda line crew pauses for picture, photo (Power Events, c.1926).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1926 car person https://nthistory.com/files/original/b9222a0d82ae2601ada28125ac5b0fcb.jpg 62faef858f0ab539bc2970b583f3e16c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Structure at Robonson Street station, photo (c.1926).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1926 building person https://nthistory.com/files/original/6a9fb7cb483b56f7c8165d168331ce35.jpg 1ef33e3295c004702b3622054c6c03db Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Station invites attention, photo article (Power Events, 1927-08).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1927-08 building https://nthistory.com/files/original/7ddfb27040a076223d029f90af68e3cd.jpg 2b0138b50302bbd0d91dd7ce681235a6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Power furnished by chips, article (Power Events, 1927-01).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1927-01 https://nthistory.com/files/original/4b5551f28df6ff53c5751f320c09ba37.jpg f85472c1d227c2caf4bcf8ddda9f9ba3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Old dynamo found in haystack, photo article (Power Events, 1927-05).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1927-05 building person https://nthistory.com/files/original/877d8ec9df8b7bd3275831f410f28d06.jpg 5baf7e50d91b3bb096b986f089b5c30b https://nthistory.com/files/original/ce73c7656a5148176d0cada1ec810752.jpg 6e4ddfad30dd636b212a8f1982c3c832 https://nthistory.com/files/original/66ff96b3cf77ac31d63cfab357fffc51.jpg b30a6d654b1ed4afee70e8ec6889e23e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Co., Tonawanda Power Co., National Grid Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> The Robinson Street "transformer building" is built by the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1895 as part of their unprecedented 23-mile transmission sending current from Nigara Falls to Buffalo. The building is later operated by the Tonawanda Power Company, who distribute the hyrdo-electricity locally. Today the historic building is owned by National Grid. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr., 2023. <h2>Motive power before the grid</h2> In the 1800s, in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, mills are powered primarily by waterwheels, while factories rely on stationary steam engines fueled by coal or wood to drive machinery and reduce human and animal labor. Beginning in the 1870s, electric dynamos appear, typically driven by steam engines, producing electricity mainly for lighting. There is no interconnected electrical grid. Electricity is generated locally, on site, by individual factories, private companies, or municipalities for their own use or a limited number of nearby customers. <h2>Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company first located on Tonawanda Island</h2> In 1889, the Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light Company operates a dynamo on the north end of Tonawanda Island. The dynamo is fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. The company supplies electricity to a small number of North Tonawanda subscribers. Arc lights on a few streets are run. Their office is at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/3942">1891 Buffalo Express Pictorial</a>: "The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere." The Niagara Falls Power Company builds transmission line and transformer house at Robinson Street Meanwhile, electrical experts at the Niagara Falls Power Company and others have been convening for a few years about how to best harness Niagara Falls's tremendous kinetic energy for the electrical age, and what to do with all that energy, which would be far more than could be used locally. The answer: send it to the much larger city of Buffalo, 23 miles south.  In late 1895, the Niagara Falls Power Company begins building an unprecedented long-distance power line to Buffalo (mostly along the boundary of the old Mile Reserve). "This transmission line will run over a private right of way from the Niagara Falls Power Company's station at Niagara Falls to Tonawanda, and thence down one bank of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The entire line will be fenced in" (<a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=205&h0=tonawanda">Electrical Review</a>, August 5, 1896). It is operational by November 1896. (Amazing <a href="https://digital.hagley.org/AVD_1990_265">images of line construction</a> from Hagley Archives). The long distance line uses alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel long distances with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally.  Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company incorporated Landmarks of Niagara County: "The Tonawanda Lighting and Power Company was incorporated February 23, 1897, with a capital of $150,000, and is the successor of the Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Light Company, which was organized in 1890 The company supplies both Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and operates in all about 290 arc and 2,400 incandescent lamps. Frank M. Gordon is local manager." They will step down power for local distribution in a yard north of the Niagara Falls Power Company's Robinson Street transformer house.  1900: "At Tonawanda, 10 miles from Buffalo and 14 miles from Niagara Falls, the transmission line from the falls to Buffalo is tapped and power from it is transformed, converted and regenerated into the various kinds and voltages of current desired tor traction, arc and incandescent lighting and distribution to motors. There is no electrical generating plant driven by steam power in Tonawanda or North Tonawanda either for street railway or central station loads. The work at Tonawanda is carried on by the Tonawanda Power Company, which is closely allied financially with the other Niagara power interests, such as the Niagara Palls Power Company and the Cataract Power and Conduit Company. The Tonawanda Power Company consists of the consolidation of the Tonawanda Light and Power Company, which formerly operated a steam-driven central station of the usual type in Tonawanda, and the Tonawanda Cataract Power Company, which previous to the consolidation was formed for advancing the Niagara power interests in Tonawanda. The consolidated company has erected a transforming station immediatey beside the right of way of the transmission line at a convenient point in North Tonawanda about a mile east of the business center and just a short distance south of the branch of the Erie running to Lockport, which branch is operated by electric power from this transforming station." Former switching tower Where the new pocket park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” which was wired to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this adjunct tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning (read our blog post, <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/tonawanda-power-company-disaster/">The Tonawanda Power Company Disaster</a>). An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in Safety News and Comment. The January 1921 Safety Bulletin <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found). Fault is ultimately found to be with the equipment provider, who left no instruction to remove the wood blocks used in shipping. In 1925 the company become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid. This <a href="https://reference.insulators.info/publications/search/?query=tonawanda&submit=Search%20https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=5168&h0=tonawanda%C2%A0">collection of electric literature</a> has many fine details and photos of the 1896 construction of the line. <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/ja/collections/archival-item/sova-nmah-ac-0949-ref88">Photo archive at the Smithsonian</a>. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara falls Power Co wagon and horse, photo (c.1896).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1896 https://nthistory.com/files/original/a589aaac8fff9214d40efa087c39a85a.jpg dd9e61d9035a8261a8fc8a871272f172 https://nthistory.com/files/original/2e7e49e3a6c86e43182aa0e9038ec8a2.jpg edf53a3611650d0dd3d223172d468700 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). People A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sweeney, James Sr. and James Jr., portraits and bio (A History of the City of Buffalo, pp187-188, 1908).htm Description An account of the resource <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Archive.org</a>, transcribed by AI: James Sweeney, Senior, and James Sweeney, Junior.—About the year 1820 three residents of Buffalo—James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and William Vandervoort—came into possession of three farm lots north of Tonawanda creek, comprising in all about five hundred acres, and upon which a part of the city of North Tonawanda now stands. This land had been selling at a very low figure, land that only awaited the development of the Niagara Frontier to become one of the most valuable tracts in this section of the State. George Goundry had a third interest in the property at one time, Mr. Goundry being one of the pioneers of North Tonawanda. In 1824 the owners of this land, which is located north of Tonawanda creek, began to dispose of it piece by piece, to the village corporation and the residents therein. A copy of a deed of land from James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and William Vandervoort to the village of North Tonawanda, dated 1824, is still in possession of James Sweeney, Senior, son of the James Sweeney mentioned above. In a few years the remaining property passed over to the control of the Sweeney family and has remained in their possession since. The sales which have been made from time to time to individuals, and also to the city of North Tonawanda, leave at the present time in the possession of the Sweeney family about one hundred and fifty to two hundred acres, and comprise what is left of the original grant of the three farm lots. At the death of the elder Sweeney, his son, James Sweeney, took over the management of the property, which was becoming more valuable year by year. About ten years ago, he in turn gave over the control of the property to his son, James Sweeney, Junior. The elder Sweeney still lives and is manager of the property, but James Sweeney, Junior, acting as his agent, does the active work in connection therewith. During the latter part of the ten years that James Sweeney, Junior, has been in control, he has paid particular attention to the building up of large factory buildings and industries on the property. During the past five or six years he has closed twenty-three factory deals, the owners of the land erecting the factories on the property and leasing them to the manufacturers on long terms of from ten to twenty-five years. These factories, combined, employ about two thousand people, and the desirability of the property as a site for manufacturing purposes is plainly manifest. It is situated on the thousand ton barge canal and the Niagara River, accessible to connections with every important railroad line in this part of the country. Natural gas and electric power from Niagara Falls add to its desirability. James Sweeney, Junior.—Sometime before the War of 1812, the old family records show that he was one of those who fled up the beach road, when the British and Indians sacked the town in 1814. After peace came and the hardy settlers went back to their former vocations, Mr. Sweeney seems to have been attracted Tonawandards, and he also owned a large amount of land in the south village of Tonawanda, as well as in the north village. He was subsequently actively identified with the early railroad interests in this section of the State, and was one of the stockholders of the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad, which ran between those points as early as 1836 and was later merged with the New York Central, whose Buffalo and Niagara Falls division now runs over the same road. James Sweeney, Senior, one of the preceding James Sweeneys, was born in North Tonawanda in 1831, and received his early education in the Buffalo public schools. Having completed his school education he began to assist his father in the management of his large holdings in the Tonawandas. Ten years ago his advanced age forced him to retire from the active management of the property, but he still maintains an active interest in Buffalo and Niagara Frontier affairs. He is a trustee of the Erie County Savings Bank, a member of the Buffalo Historical Society, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, the Buffalo Club, and several other social and business organizations. He has been identified with the history of old St. Paul’s Church for many years. His father was one of the original members of the church and the son was the holder of one of the original pews. He is at present time one of its vestrymen. James Sweeney, Junior, was born in this city in 1866 and supplemented his early training in the Buffalo public schools with a thorough course of training in Professor Briggs’ Classical School, from which he graduated. After spending a year in Europe Mr. Sweeney returned to this country, and at once took up the active management of the Sweeney property, which he retains up to the time of this writing. He is a member of the Buffalo, Ellicott, Country, Saturn, and Park clubs of this city and of the Frontier Club of North Tonawanda. Other business associations are with the American Savings Bank and the Tonawanda Power Company, he being a trustee of the former and a director of the latter organization. Mr. Sweeney’s office is in the building which was formerly occupied by the first bank established in Tonawanda. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1800 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Niagara Plant historical files.htm Description An account of the resource From <a href="https://findingaids.hagley.org/repositories/3/resources/1200/collection_organization">Hagley Archives</a>: The E.I. du Pont de Nemours Niagara Plant produces a number of specialty chemicals, such as polymer acetates, sodium cyanide, and methyl chloride; the plant was purchased by the DuPont Company in 1930. The Niagara Plant, located in Niagara Falls, New York, can be traced back to two chemical companies founded in the late nineteenth century. The first was the Niagara Electro-Chemical Company, formed in 1896, which manufactured metallic sodium. The second was Roessler & Hasslacher (R&H), which began in 1885 as a precious metals business that later developed into a specialized producer of chlorine products, hydrogen peroxide, other oxides, and metal cyanides. Both companies were very successful and understood the value of combining their companies to form even greater success. They merged in 1925 and operated the Niagara plant until 1930 when DuPont purchased their assets. The purchase ensured DuPont a steady flow of raw materials for manufacturing dyes and tetraethyllead. In addition, the R&H acquisition provided DuPont with access to numerous specialized chemicals such as sodium cyanide used in electroplating, methyl chloride for refrigerants, hydrogen peroxide for oxidizing and bleaching, formaldehyde for plastic and disinfectants, dry-cleaning agents, fumigants, insecticides, and ceramic colors. The plant operated as the R&H Department of DuPont until 1946 when it became known as the Electrochemical Department; in 1971, it was transferred to the Industrial Chemicals Department. The plant marketed the following products: polymer acetates, chlorine products, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyanides, and several other specialty chemicals. The Niagara Plant was included in the DuPont Performance Chemicals spinoff that created the Chemours Company in July 2015. https://nthistory.com/files/original/1da675113028c9fa436f6a9ac8b25057.jpg c07b5749f373b32facf91c4b11b96bee Map A diagram of a geographical area's major arteries of transportation, buildings, land owners and terrain. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource City of North Tonawanda, map (Niagara County Atlas, 1908).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1908 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/e184755021027f99d0286cdb3fb19d33.jpg 148653506702f72d8e1da98951b0854d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Trains and Trolleys Description An account of the resource Trains Soon after the Erie Canal is completed, railroads begin to compete for business. From <a href="https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/930152959">researchworks.oclc.org</a>: <blockquote>In 1834 the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company was incorporated to take over the Buffalo and Black Rock Company. It extended the lines to Niagara Falls and into Tonawanda. In 1853 the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company was leased by New York Central Railroad and was merged in 1855.</blockquote> From <a href="https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-municipal-history/railroads-of-niagara-falls/the-buffalo-niagara-falls-railroad/">niagarafallsinfo.com</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad was incorporated on May 3rd, 1834. The Legislature of the State of New York passed a law to empower the railroad to construct a single or double track railroad between the City of Buffalo and the <a href="https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-municipal-history/the-city-of-the-falls-plan/the-idea-for-the-city-of-the-falls/">Village at Niagara Falls</a>. The railroad had a mandate to operate for a 50 year term and was empowered to absorb all rights, privileges and franchises belonging to the Buffalo and Black Rock Railroad Company, which had been built and was being operated by horse power. The Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad began operating in 1845. The 28 mile trip from Buffalo to Niagara Falls was a three hour journey being pulled by a wood stoked steam locomotive.... In 1852, the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad relocated their tracks to the west side of the Erie Canal. On December 22nd 1853, the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad was leased to the New York Central Railroad. On April 23rd 1869, the New York Central Railroad began operations within the Niagara escarpment.</blockquote> From <a href="https://buffalohistory.org/Explore/Exhibits/virtual_exhibits/buffalo_anniversary/175th/page_e1.htm">buffalohistory.org</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo and Niagara Falls Rail Road was the first in Erie County to use steam locomotives. Service from Black Rock to Tonawanda began in August, 1836; from Buffalo to Tonawanda in September; and by November, 1836, the train ran on a regular schedule between Buffalo & Niagara Falls.</blockquote> Railroads on the maps The <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/3974">1837 Tonawanda/Whitehaven map</a> shows the B&NF railroad already established on Webster. It also shows a "Road to Lockport" and a "Proposed railroad to Lockport" heading out "Detroit Street" (later, Goundry Street). In <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1258">this 1838 map</a>, it appears the former "road" hosts a new "Tonawanda & Lockport Railroad." Some more info from <a href="https://www.newyorkcentraltrainstation.org/history-new-york-central-train-station">newyorkcentraltrainstattion.org.</a> By <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/3560">1852</a>, a third line, "The Canandaigua and Niagara Falls," is added. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmira_and_Lake_Ontario_Railroad">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>On July 1, 1853, the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad opened between Canandaigua and North Tonawanda. It was also 6 ft (1,829 mm) broad gauge, and was leased by the Canandaigua & Elmira RR, giving it access to the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge.</blockquote> In <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/1664">this 1854 map</a>, The Canandaigua route has changed to run south of the Erie Canal and then be carried over the canal into North Tonawanda at the foot of Oliver street. The cantilever bridge will later be built here. By the time of <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/240">this 1875 map</a>, a third railroad crosses the canal into North Tonawanda: The Erie, at the foot of Vandervoort street. As late as 1908, there are still tracks on the east side of Webster street. Looks like the railroad agrees to remove them in December 1921, not sure when it happens. Trolleys Before everybody in North Tonawanda could afford their very own muffler-less Honda Civic to run up and down Oliver Street, trolleys were an important means of personal transportation. Several lines ran throughout the city, moving people to and from their jobs, churches, or just out for a look around. Though they may seem romantic to us now, people griped about the trolleys the same way we complain about snow plows today. Apparently their slow speed was sometimes targeted: An item in this set describes a "well-known peddler" in the Gratwick area who is injured by a trolley car. The author drolly observes, "'Twould have been a real miracle if a Gratwick car could have got up enough speed to have killed him" (Tonawanda News, 1908-2-13). The trolley era did not last long. By the 1920s, the electric streetcar had been passed by the gasoline-powered bus as the most prevalent means of public transportation. Another article in this set from the Tonawanda News, "Carpenter now operates 14 busses in the Tonawandas," outlines the rise of the Carpenter Rapid Transit buses. Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource EL-2 railroad signal, Rose Coal, photo (1930).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 oliver train https://nthistory.com/files/original/3bfa8660d62bfda1d0e51777862e2b83.jpg f4a55289652b4946189ab9b0a3b0f9d8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Avenues / Ironton (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/83e.jpg" alt="Ironton and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr" />Ironton Street and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr See also: <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/lost-village-of-ironton/">The lost village of Ironton and the birth of the Avenues</a> and <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/141">Avenues Folk: Mary Kijowski-Konstanty of Fifteenth Ave</a>. Origins of Ironton The "spark" for Ironton arrives in 1873, when Niagara Furnace (later <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/16">Tonawanda Iron and Steel)</a> locates on the banks of the Niagara River near Wheatfield Street. The unofficial village of "Ironton" is named after the promising venture. After initial excitement (and investment in the surrounding land) however, the furnace shuts down after only a year in operation.  Early doings In 1875 map, homes are seen in the lower Avenues. Oliver Street business? Churches. Colonel Payne's estate is still intact across Payne and up to Dahlgren Place, the former northern limit of the early Avenues. Ironton Street from 1880s according to ArcGIS. "From 1880-1890, its population increased form 1,492 to 4,793," (Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York, p.110). In 1882, the establishment of a John Cichoki's <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1665">tavern on River Road</a> near Wheatfield street <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1543">is a foothold</a> for early Polish settlers. Grocers and butchers are nearby. In 1884 a "minor school in a small frame building" is established less than a quarter mile east down Wheatfield at Dahlgren Place (<a href="https://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1477">Buffalo Courier Express, 1905)</a>. In 1889 or 1890, the much larger, Richardsonian Romanesque style <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/64">Ironton Public School #2</a> opens at the corner of 1st Ave and Oliver Street.  The furnace burns again; the River Road industrial corridor The old Niagara Furnace site is expanded and relaunched in 1889 by Tonawanda Iron and Steel. The adjacent marshes and former farms once again become valuable real estate, with "manufacturing interests" courted for the valuable land along the river and railroad tracks. More Poles, Hungarians and others flock to the Avenues, bringing their languages, traditions and chickens with them. An 1891 guidebook describes the real estate situation: <blockquote>It was purchased from Pratt & Jewett by Geo. P. Smith and A. J. Hathaway, Oct. 15, 1889, replatted, and Jan. 1st, 1890, put on the market. Within a year 500 building lots had been sold and 100 houses erected. With June of the present year [1891] the Ironton Land Co. was incorporated with capital of §100,000 and everything bids fair for a prosperous career, as this is the river center of North Tonawanda corporation, and being traversed by all the rail- roads it cannot fail to secure prominent manufacturing interests. The Ironton addition is less than a mile from the North Tonawanda City Hall. With the Iron & Steel Works, the surrounding lumber interests and the bolt and nut works of Plumb, Burdict ct Barnard, which has recently been located on the adjoining property, this section of the city will make a convenient and desirable place for mechanics and business firms. It has the water supply, electric lights, and will soon be connected by the electric street car line. A double two story brick block for stores has just been completed on Oliver street, making a nice addition to the mercantile conveniences there, a $15,000 brick school house was erected a couple of years since, a church dedicated in August and this section has all the modern conveniences of the older part of the city.</blockquote> Land In November 1889, <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/smithgeorgep1897bio.html">George P. Smith</a> and <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/hathawayaj1897bio.html">A. J. Hathaway</a> buy land opposite the iron works. Incorporation into the City of North Tonawanda The village of "Ironton" (along with the villages of North Tonawanda, Gratwick and Martinsville) is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. The last remnant of the old village name is in its "Ironton Street," running along the west edge of the original avenues. It never had its own post office, or government, but it is an interesting part of the patchwork of the original city that has mostly now vanished from public recall. An increasingly Polish community on the Avenues For the numerous Polish on the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3436">original seven avenues</a>, their church is the center of their community. OLC is established on Center Ave, exactly where the grotto is today. It is later rebuilt just south. <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/98">Pettit Creek</a> flows through the area (it will be covered). <a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200105.pdf">The paving of Oliver Street being planned August 26, 1893. </a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> A progress report </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200169.pdf">about a month later</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">. October 5 </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200235.pdf">there is labor trouble between Poles and Italians</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">.</a> The upper avenues remain essentially woods and marshes until the 1940s, when settlement accelerates with the nationwide Baby Boom.  Notes:  * Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, of the State of New-York (1884, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEdAQAAIAAJ">Google Books)</a> Also has lots of details about new Goundry Street school and a brief mention of Gratwick school and enrollment figures.1890 "The village of Tonawanda is up and awake as far as educational matters are concerned. It has a progressive board of education composed of five members, all liberal men in their views. A new brick school building is nearly completed at Ironton, a suburb of the village, that would be a pride to any town."<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> </a> John Carr on Facebook in January 2017: "Go back to the 1800's and my great grandfather's farm, as well as several others, was there, extending from the river inland past Payne. The house was originally along the river. Eventually the lumber yards and steel mills pushed the property, and the house back from the river to Oliver (#849 or #869). In the 1890's, after his death, the property was sold off and developed into individual housing lots. At that time the area was annexed to North Tonawanda, before that the area was part of Wheatfield. Carr Street still exists by the town pool. Many of my great grand parents children and their families had homes in the area. We see the area today pretty much as it was developed then, however modernized a bit and not the capitol of industry it was then." <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b5be67cf0e05477e8f4ad3161ab51422">ArcGIS</a> and old map notes: <ul> <li>1860 map show Cap. O. Shepard in a few places. From Ohio. Buried there. H(enry) Rosebrock from Hanover, Germany (1880 Census); H. Luttman German. F. Roney</li> <li>Homes on Ironton Street range between 1870 (96 Ironton), 1880 (144 Ironton) and into the early 1900s. Some Year 0s (e.g., 188).</li> <li>The River Rd - Wheatfield "businesses" at southeast corner are 1900-1930, couple of year 0s, though 1886 map shows SOMETHING there earlier.</li> <li>Weston & Son lumber all around in 1886 maps, Stocum & DeGraff south across Summer</li> <li>Simson Street: Properties start at 1860 (23 Simson), couple 1880s and 0s. "Rua, Joseph M" listed as owned on many.  1875 map it's called "Judd Ave, and names of homeowners are given (several Simsons); Called "Miller" in 1886 map. Early enclave for nearby mill, predating even Iron Works? </li> </ul> Advertisement A graphic or text document produced by an entity for promotional purposes. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Great Sale of Lots in the Ironton District, ad (Polish Everybody’s Daily, 1922-10-17).jpg Description An account of the resource Translation from the Polish by AI: Great Sale of Lots in the Ironton District Real Bargains for 10 Days In the Fastest-Growing Neighborhood of Our City Stop paying rent! Own your own home! Don’t pay high streetcar fares! Live close to your workplace Times are improving There is plenty of work — steady employment — higher wages. PRICES: $60 to $600 $5 down payment $5 per month 10% discount for cash. Surveying/preparation $10 extra. Clear title guaranteed. Large selection of lots The safest investment of money Protection in case of unemployment or illness Great value at low cost Last chance to get bargains like these First come, first served. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1922-10-17 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Avenues / Ironton (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/83e.jpg" alt="Ironton and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr" />Ironton Street and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr See also: <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/lost-village-of-ironton/">The lost village of Ironton and the birth of the Avenues</a> and <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/141">Avenues Folk: Mary Kijowski-Konstanty of Fifteenth Ave</a>. Origins of Ironton The "spark" for Ironton arrives in 1873, when Niagara Furnace (later <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/16">Tonawanda Iron and Steel)</a> locates on the banks of the Niagara River near Wheatfield Street. The unofficial village of "Ironton" is named after the promising venture. After initial excitement (and investment in the surrounding land) however, the furnace shuts down after only a year in operation.  Early doings In 1875 map, homes are seen in the lower Avenues. Oliver Street business? Churches. Colonel Payne's estate is still intact across Payne and up to Dahlgren Place, the former northern limit of the early Avenues. Ironton Street from 1880s according to ArcGIS. "From 1880-1890, its population increased form 1,492 to 4,793," (Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York, p.110). In 1882, the establishment of a John Cichoki's <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1665">tavern on River Road</a> near Wheatfield street <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1543">is a foothold</a> for early Polish settlers. Grocers and butchers are nearby. In 1884 a "minor school in a small frame building" is established less than a quarter mile east down Wheatfield at Dahlgren Place (<a href="https://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1477">Buffalo Courier Express, 1905)</a>. In 1889 or 1890, the much larger, Richardsonian Romanesque style <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/64">Ironton Public School #2</a> opens at the corner of 1st Ave and Oliver Street.  The furnace burns again; the River Road industrial corridor The old Niagara Furnace site is expanded and relaunched in 1889 by Tonawanda Iron and Steel. The adjacent marshes and former farms once again become valuable real estate, with "manufacturing interests" courted for the valuable land along the river and railroad tracks. More Poles, Hungarians and others flock to the Avenues, bringing their languages, traditions and chickens with them. An 1891 guidebook describes the real estate situation: <blockquote>It was purchased from Pratt & Jewett by Geo. P. Smith and A. J. Hathaway, Oct. 15, 1889, replatted, and Jan. 1st, 1890, put on the market. Within a year 500 building lots had been sold and 100 houses erected. With June of the present year [1891] the Ironton Land Co. was incorporated with capital of §100,000 and everything bids fair for a prosperous career, as this is the river center of North Tonawanda corporation, and being traversed by all the rail- roads it cannot fail to secure prominent manufacturing interests. The Ironton addition is less than a mile from the North Tonawanda City Hall. With the Iron & Steel Works, the surrounding lumber interests and the bolt and nut works of Plumb, Burdict ct Barnard, which has recently been located on the adjoining property, this section of the city will make a convenient and desirable place for mechanics and business firms. It has the water supply, electric lights, and will soon be connected by the electric street car line. A double two story brick block for stores has just been completed on Oliver street, making a nice addition to the mercantile conveniences there, a $15,000 brick school house was erected a couple of years since, a church dedicated in August and this section has all the modern conveniences of the older part of the city.</blockquote> Land In November 1889, <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/smithgeorgep1897bio.html">George P. Smith</a> and <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/hathawayaj1897bio.html">A. J. Hathaway</a> buy land opposite the iron works. Incorporation into the City of North Tonawanda The village of "Ironton" (along with the villages of North Tonawanda, Gratwick and Martinsville) is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. The last remnant of the old village name is in its "Ironton Street," running along the west edge of the original avenues. It never had its own post office, or government, but it is an interesting part of the patchwork of the original city that has mostly now vanished from public recall. An increasingly Polish community on the Avenues For the numerous Polish on the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3436">original seven avenues</a>, their church is the center of their community. OLC is established on Center Ave, exactly where the grotto is today. It is later rebuilt just south. <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/98">Pettit Creek</a> flows through the area (it will be covered). <a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200105.pdf">The paving of Oliver Street being planned August 26, 1893. </a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> A progress report </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200169.pdf">about a month later</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">. October 5 </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200235.pdf">there is labor trouble between Poles and Italians</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">.</a> The upper avenues remain essentially woods and marshes until the 1940s, when settlement accelerates with the nationwide Baby Boom.  Notes:  * Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, of the State of New-York (1884, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEdAQAAIAAJ">Google Books)</a> Also has lots of details about new Goundry Street school and a brief mention of Gratwick school and enrollment figures.1890 "The village of Tonawanda is up and awake as far as educational matters are concerned. It has a progressive board of education composed of five members, all liberal men in their views. A new brick school building is nearly completed at Ironton, a suburb of the village, that would be a pride to any town."<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> </a> John Carr on Facebook in January 2017: "Go back to the 1800's and my great grandfather's farm, as well as several others, was there, extending from the river inland past Payne. The house was originally along the river. Eventually the lumber yards and steel mills pushed the property, and the house back from the river to Oliver (#849 or #869). In the 1890's, after his death, the property was sold off and developed into individual housing lots. At that time the area was annexed to North Tonawanda, before that the area was part of Wheatfield. Carr Street still exists by the town pool. Many of my great grand parents children and their families had homes in the area. We see the area today pretty much as it was developed then, however modernized a bit and not the capitol of industry it was then." <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b5be67cf0e05477e8f4ad3161ab51422">ArcGIS</a> and old map notes: <ul> <li>1860 map show Cap. O. Shepard in a few places. From Ohio. Buried there. H(enry) Rosebrock from Hanover, Germany (1880 Census); H. Luttman German. F. Roney</li> <li>Homes on Ironton Street range between 1870 (96 Ironton), 1880 (144 Ironton) and into the early 1900s. Some Year 0s (e.g., 188).</li> <li>The River Rd - Wheatfield "businesses" at southeast corner are 1900-1930, couple of year 0s, though 1886 map shows SOMETHING there earlier.</li> <li>Weston & Son lumber all around in 1886 maps, Stocum & DeGraff south across Summer</li> <li>Simson Street: Properties start at 1860 (23 Simson), couple 1880s and 0s. "Rua, Joseph M" listed as owned on many.  1875 map it's called "Judd Ave, and names of homeowners are given (several Simsons); Called "Miller" in 1886 map. Early enclave for nearby mill, predating even Iron Works? </li> </ul> Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ironton-related news from Polish Everybody’s Daily newspaper (1912-1923).jpg Description An account of the resource [Translated from a <a href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=cl&cl=CL1&sp=ddw&e=-------en-20-ddw-61-byDA-txt-txIN-%22ironton%22---------">Buffalo Polish newspaper</a> by AI] 1912 A grand jury has indicted the brothers Jan and Stefan Kuczmiński for burglary (theft with breaking and entering). They stole clothing and other goods worth $502.00 from a railroad car in the Ironton district. They left their stolen loot at the saloon of Walenty Yunger on 7th Avenue. The jury also indicted this saloonkeeper for storing and buying stolen items and goods. — The brothers Kuczmiński committed this robbery and theft on the Lehigh Valley railroad a few months ago, but managed to get away. — Meanwhile, what is meant to hang won’t drown. The Buffalo police arrested them for third-degree assault and for beating Stanisław Rosiński of Tonawanda. — For that they were put in jail for 100 days. Now, as a result of the grand jury indictment, Deputy Sheriff John H. Bollier of Tonawanda has received a court warrant, under which he will arrest the brothers and take them to Lockport as soon as they finish serving this one sentence... To be continued. And the longer they sigh there behind those “Swedish curtains” (jail bars), the better it will be for society and for the Polish community of Tonawanda, because they’re bad birds, and everyone will be glad to be rid of them. 1912-04-24 Marya Malik from the Ironton district on 8th Ave. has evidently fallen into religious insanity. — She walked the streets with a prayer book and prayed loudly without stopping. — She had been ill for quite some time. — The police took her into care, and with her husband’s consent she was sent to the state asylum for the insane. 1912-05-03 New policemen. The police force of North Tonawanda has been strengthened by two policemen, so that the police contingent now totals 15 members, together with a chief, a sergeant, and a special detective. It is not a force that one could boast about in terms of numbers, but it consists almost exclusively of intelligent and respectable citizens. The police consider the Ironton district the most dangerous; pr[illegible word] they will have policemen patrol there in pairs. — In several cases, during arrests they had to resort to revolvers, as in the arrest of Basara’s murderers. — One may expect that in the future the people of Tronton will behave more modestly. 1913-01-04 KACZOR STOLE PARAT’S WIFE TONAWANDA HAS ITS OWN LITTLE HOLIDAY SENSATION. Kaczor is accused of stealing not only several dozen dollars but, in addition… Miss Katarzyna Parat. — After the wedding! — Fr. Bubacz bound the pair of lovers with a lifelong marriage bond. Buffalo has its sensations; so does the much smaller Tonawanda—or rather North Tonawanda, since Poles live in Tonawanda in only small numbers. In North Tonawanda, in the Ironton district, there lives a certain Parat family. They are fairly well-off people. They’re doing well. The Parats have a daughter—moreover, very comely, even pretty. Her name is Katarzyna. Katarzyna fell in love, as later turned out, with a bachelor named Franciszek Kaczor. Kaczor, too, was madly in love with the girl—and the romance was ready-made. Bad luck had it that last week, about $150 worth of various items disappeared from the Parats in Ironton, and in addition $37 in cash. And along with all that, gone without a trace (like a stone in water) were the Parats’ daughter, Miss Katarzyna, and also Mr. Franciszek Kaczor. As later turned out, the young lady and the bachelor went to Niagara Falls, where they wanted to Parat from Ironton notified the police; the matter was uncovered, and in Niagara Falls the little pair was arrested—before they got married! So they were brought back home to North Tonawanda, Mr. Kaczor was brought before the court, and people awaited the hearing. But when the hearing was supposed to take place, Miss Katarzyna begged her father and mother, and the young man—who had “stolen” their daughter away and meant to make her happy—was forgiven, with the help of that clever, brave, and no doubt spirited young lady! Somehow the judge dismissed the charge; instead they were led to the church, the groom and the young bride, and Fr. Stanisław Bubacz bound them with a lifelong marital bond. And that Kaczor will be a capable husband, and the Parats’ daughter likewise a capable wife—of that no one doubts. All of North Tonawanda wishes the young couple—who lived through so much fear and suffered a lot as well—the happiest life together and every success. They earned it, one way or another, by loving each other; and the whole world loves people in love! The costs of lawyers and defenders were paid by the Parats, who could afford it. Now everyone is satisfied and happy, because this whole wedding “sensation” has ended—and that’s the main thing! Long live the newlyweds! 1914-06-13 N. TONAWANDA, N.Y. NOTICE TO RESPECTED SUBSCRIBERS. Once again, I ask you to remember that every recipient of “Dziennik dla Wszystkich” should pay for the paper regularly. Otherwise, further delivery of the newspaper will be stopped. At the same time, I ask for prompt payment of overdue subscriptions. Andrzej Niemiec, agent, 11—6th Ave., N. Tonawanda, N.Y. ROBBERY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Poles themselves are to blame for these sad conditions. Some robber, not yet tracked down, sneaked into the home of Stanisław Glica at 27—5th Ave. and took jewelry worth $45—namely a watch, rings, and various other items. This is a warning to housewives that they should not leave their homes without any supervision, with the doors left open, as happened in this case. That theft is spreading among us is the fault of the citizens themselves, because they do not try to [...] when the moon is shining, thank God for that; but when it’s cloudy, someone could twist an ankle or two on the sidewalk and, in other words, wouldn’t find their way in the darkness. Not only are the streets dark, but also the access roads for coal and firewood—the so-called “alleys.” In those alleys at night, thieves of various sorts hide and steal chickens, etc. A person with good intentions doesn’t go there at night. THE NEW CLUB IS ASLEEP! A civic club has been formed here, that is, the “Ironton City Sons Club,” which was supposed to be the “best” of them all. Evidently something has gone wrong there—and that’s a shame, because it could have done a lot of good for the local Polish community. Come on, citizens, to work—wake up, all of you! FROM THE SOCIETY OF OUR LADY OF CZĘSTOCHOWA. On Sunday, the usual monthly meeting. The societies are developing fairly well, though there still aren’t enough of them / not enough participation. Among others, the Society of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Polish Union in America No. 81, is doing quite well financially and has the largest number of members. The monthly meeting will take place on Sunday, June 14, 1914, in the parish hall at 2 p.m. All who wish to belong to this society may come to this meeting, and they will be warmly received. - The Board 1914-06-17 KNIFE AT WORK AFTER THE PICNIC. An unknown “knife-knight.” In Ironton a Polish society picnic took place. When Franciszek Heretka, from No. 125 Wheatfield St., returned from the picnic, he stopped in to see his friend, Wiktor Brusko, in Tonawanda. Meeting another comrade there, he drank one or two with him, and then they quarreled. Both became worked up, and Heretka’s companion, having seized a knife, struck his friend in the head several times and bloodied him badly. The unconscious man was taken home, and Dr. C. W. Clendennan treated him. The police are looking for the knifeman, although they don’t know his name, and he certainly took off. A very sad and ugly end to a picnic and a bit of fun… And won’t our countrymen come to their senses in this regard—must individual wrongdoers always bring shame upon the whole community?! 1914-06-27 FROM NORTH TONAWANDA. The civic political club, that is, the Ironton City Sons Club, will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, June 28, at one o’clock in the afternoon, in the parish hall. The presence of every member is desired. New members are invited to attend in as great numbers as possible. — With fraternal greetings, Stanisław Rosiński, president; Andrzej Niemiec, secretary. 1914-10-29 A neighborly quarrel. — Boiling water as a weapon. — A meeting on Oliver Street. A neighborhood dispute has resulted in Katarzyna Kowalska, of No. 127 Wheatfield Street, being confined to bed, as she has a badly scalded left arm. Mrs. Józefa Korgom, from the same address, is under police accusation, charged with third-degree assault. The case is to be heard today before City Judge George J. Smith. Mrs. Kowalska lives on the ground floor, and Mrs. Korgom on the second floor of the same house. Yesterday afternoon the two women quarreled over some small matter in the yard of the house. In anger, Korgom ran into the house, grabbed a pot of boiling water, and poured its contents over Kowalska. Mrs. Kowalska fainted, and several people rushed to her aid. The burns were treated by Dr. A. J. Martin. — In Mr. Dąka’s hall on Oliver Street, a meeting of the “Ironton” Republican Club was held. The mayoral candidate, W. A. Moore, addressed those gathered. On the… GREAT FIRE IN TONAWANDA HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. Three lumber yards and factories the victims. A huge fire, which caused about half a million dollars in damage, broke out yesterday just beyond the borders of our city, in Tonawanda, and even at this moment the fire has not been completely extinguished. It broke out shortly after midnight, at 12:30 a.m., but the fire department performed so valiantly that within an hour the blaze was already under control and thus localized. Above all, the firefighters took care that the fire did not spread to the residential houses in the vicinity of the “lumber yards.” The extinguishing and the work of the fire brigade were ham...It also added greatly to the disaster that, almost at the same time, a fire broke out at the Adamit Abrasive Company factories, located only two blocks from the burning lumber yards. The flames also engulfed the Buffalo Sled Company plant, causing damage there amounting to $5,000, and then the fire spread further to the department store warehouse of F. S. Pashen, inflicting major losses there as well. Rail traffic came to a halt because the flames raged across the tracks of the New York Central and Erie railroads. Traffic on the Buffalo, Lockport & Rochester line was likewise stopped, and all communication with Niagara Falls was suspended. All telegraphic communication in the city was cut off. Nearby homes and factories suffered heavy damage—not from fire, but from water—used to protect them from the flames and to save the surrounding neighborhood from further destruction. This fire was evidently set in several places, as firefighters found oakum soaked with kerosene in several different locations, even inside factories and lumber yards. As for the fire at the Adamit Abrasive factories, witnesses even reported seeing a young man lighting matches, applying them to something, and then running away… Near the raging flames, two tank cars filled with gasoline stood on the tracks. Had the fire reached them, a terrible explosion would have occurred—one that might have shaken the entire town to its foundations. Fortunately, brave railroad workers stepped forward and, amid smoke and flames, used a locomotive to pull those two cars out of the danger zone, risking their lives. Unfortunately, during this effort a mishap occurred: a gasoline train struck some unfortunate onlookers who were watching the fire. A 35-year-old man, Kalbot Abbott of Oliver Street, was severely injured and might lose—and likely will—…who lost his leg and will likely die in the hospital due to loss of blood. He was treated by Dr. R. H. Wilcox and taken in the doctor’s automobile to the General Hospital, but it appears he will not survive. Firefighter Fred Stickney was also seriously injured when a falling shield struck him on the head, but he is expected to recover. At the Adamite factory not one stone was left upon another, and the damage amounts to over $30,000. In short, it was a fire the like of which Tonawanda had never known, and the police are searching in every direction for the arsonists—but so far they have no “key,” nor any idea who or how someone could have been driven to commit such a criminal act, one that nearly caused the entire city to fall victim. 1914-11-20 A BRAVE COUNTRYMAN. A fire destroyed the house and barn of Jan Kuszkowski on Payne Avenue. At 1:30 a.m., the Kuszkowski family’s tenant, Antoni Robiński, noticed flames engulfing the house. Without losing his composure, the brave man awakened the household and then rescued five children one by one—three of whom were already half-suffocated by smoke, so artificial respiration had to be applied. About one hundred head of poultry burned in the barn. The loss amounts to $3,000 and is partially covered by insurance. THE SZEWCZYK BROTHERS ON A RAMPAGE. One of the late passersby found a man lying terribly injured in a pool of blood on Wheatfield Street the other night. It turned out to be Michał Olszowski, living at No. 9 Simson Street. He had a smashed head and a cut wound under his right eye. Upon regaining consciousness, Olszowski testified that he had been badly beaten by the brothers Jan and Józef Szewczyk from Ironton Street, with whom he had had a dispute for several months. The hearing of the Szewczyk brothers for assault is to take place on Friday. 1915-03-05 A fine for assault. — Drunk. — From the poor relief office. — Water purification. — Police examination. — Factory closure. Young Andrzej Cypak, son of Jerzy, of 77 Wheatfield Street, was fined $5 for assaulting Paweł Markowicz of Robinson Street. The altercation occurred two weeks ago in the Ironton district. For causing disturbances on a streetcar, two countrymen were not only thrown off into the street but also arrested. The judge found them guilty of drunkenness and sentenced both to 10 days in the county jail. The “heroes” are 50-year-old Jan Szantys and 32-year-old Jan Nowak of Lockport. They were put off on Oliver Street. The city spent only $70 on the poor in February—half as much as in the same month last year. Evidently poverty is felt less keenly at present. 1915-06-08 DISPUTE OVER SUNDAY SHOWS. Judge Marcus, in the higher Buffalo court, issued a ruling in favor of the owner of the moving-picture theater on Oliver Street and against Mayor Rancia’s decision banning Sunday performances. This decision is also important for the Dreamland theater, owned by a Pole, Mr. Gerlach. As we are informed, Mr. Gerlach no longer leases out his theater but operates it under his own management. The sensational case of a tin can containing the ashes of a newborn being buried in St. Francis Cemetery has not yet been clarified. The investigation into this mysterious matter has now been taken up by the City Physician of Buffalo, Dr. Fronczak, as there are indications that a certain Buffalo woman committed the crime. For stealing coal from the Central Railroad yards, two countrymen were arrested: Aleksander Kozłów of No. 24 Ironton Street and Dominik Grykel of Kent Street. Both paid fines of $3 each. In the past month, the following disease cases occurred in North Tonawanda: whooping cough—25 cases; cancer—7; mumps—4; typhus—3; scarlet fever—1; pneumonia—1. Whooping cough is spreading particularly widely. 1915-10-14 N. TONAWANDA, N.Y. OUR YOUTH ON TOP! In the Polish Ironton district of North Tonawanda, the police arrested an entire gang of railroad thieves who robbed two Erie Railroad freight cars. The theft was committed in the vicinity of Oliver Street—this “center of Polish life”—on the night from Saturday to Sunday. The following Poles were arrested: Grzegorz Zakazany, age 15, of No. 30, 7th Ave.; Wilhelm and Leon Kiljan, ages 12 and 13, of No. 3, 7th Ave.; Rudolf Klaus, age 14, of No. 1, 8th Ave.; Jan Wrażeń, age 12, of No. 2, 7th Ave.; and Piotr Krzemiński, age 13, of No. 1, 6th Ave. The boys stole goods—especially sugar—worth $100. Detectives found part of the loot in the homes of the parents of the underage hooligans. All of the boys were either sent to the “Father Baker” institution or placed on probation. 1915-10-16 OPENING OF EVENING SCHOOLS. On Monday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., evening courses for foreigners will open at the Ironton School. English will be taught, along with other elementary subjects. The registration fee is $1.00, but it will be refunded if the student attends at least 80% of the lessons. In addition, under the same conditions, courses will be offered in business letter writing, geometric and technical drawing, etc. Poles should enroll in large numbers in these useful classes. [WORKER SHORTAGE] In both Tonawandas there is a shortage of workers for ordinary jobs, and for that reason many factories have raised wages just to get people to work. Especially in the sawmills there is an urgent need for laborers. The sawmills have increased wages by 25 to 50 cents per day. A worker now earns $2.25 a day there, and despite this the companies complain that they still have too few workers. [FATHER ARRESTED FOR SON'S RAILROAD CAR THEFT OF SUGAR] As a result of thefts of goods—especially sugar—from Erie Railroad cars, the father of one of the suspected Polish boys was arrested: Marcin Krzemiński of No. 7, 6th Avenue. Part of the stolen goods was found in his home, and therefore Mr. Krzemiński will be held responsible for receiving/harboring stolen property. The judge postponed the hearing. Mr. Marcin’s son, Piotr Krzemiński, was sent for penance to “Father Baker’s.” 1915-10-28 CONCERT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH. On Tuesday, the 15th of this month, a large concert of choirs will be held in the hall of the Dreamland Theater, organized by the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa on Oliver Street. After the concert, a dance will take place. The proceeds from the evening are intended for the new Polish church, whose construction will begin in Ironton in the spring. Participating in the concert will be the “Lutnia” choir from Niagara Falls, the church choir from Black Rock, and the “Harmonia” choir from North Tonawanda. [FIRE ON 8TH] In the kitchen of the home of Mr. Jan Iłonek on 8th Avenue, a fire broke out in the stove. The fire department extinguished it skillfully using chemical apparatus. The damage amounts to about $50. The workers on the Wheatfield railroad, employed in the construction of the state road near Chestnut Ridge, have abandoned the job. They claim that the contractor has not paid them their wages for two months. Piotr Baha of 6th Avenue was summoned before the Grand Jury for defaming Piotr Zaborowski of the same street. The case has been dragging on since August, when during a neighborhood quarrel Baha struck his compatriot with a brick and severely smashed his head. The accused is at liberty on bail. 1915-11-24 IMPORTANT NOTICE. We inform our esteemed countrymen that in North Tonawanda the women have joined together in solidarity to organize a new society. On Sunday, November 27, a meeting of the newly organized society was held in the parish hall. There were more than 30 participants. At this meeting, 24 new members signed up, and from among them a committee was elected to lead the undertaking, consisting of the following persons: Maryanna Gerlach, president; Maryanna Witkowska, vice president; Franciszka Janiszewska, financial secretary; Helena Nadolewska, recording secretary; Michalina Rosińska, trustee; Dominika Glogora, trustee; Walerya Nowak, marshal; Anna Frąszczewska, doorkeeper. The committee was chosen from among capable women, under whose leadership we expect successful results. The society resolved to hold its next meeting on Sunday, February 2, in the parish hall, in the evening, for the purpose of completing applications and refining organizational matters. We invite the remaining women who belong to this organization and wish to join to come forward. Younger parish girls are also welcome. The society adopted the name “Star of Victory” and will affiliate with the P.N.A. It is the first women’s group in North Tonawanda, to which we wish every success. — Fr. Janiszewska, secretary. 1915-12-01 VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Last evening the annual banquet of the local Chamber of Industry was held. The beautiful auditorium hall of the YMCA was filled to capacity, with guests also attending from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Lockport. The principal speaker and guest of honor was the Secretary of State of New York, Francis M. Hugo, who particularly emphasized the importance of the navigational canal for Tonawanda. Congressman Dempsey spoke about the nation’s military preparedness. A speech was also delivered by Mr. O’Keefe, secretary of the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. For smashing Walenty Kranth’s head with a stone on Second Avenue, Piotr Cyran of 6th Avenue was arrested. Kranth is confined ill at home. The attack took place at night after a parish dance. The hearing is to be held today. Police were notified that a band of intoxicated Poles was fighting on Oliver Street near 6th Avenue, by a certain saloon. However, when the police arrived at the “battlefield,” the valiant countrymen had already vanished without a trace. In critical condition in the hospital lies 30-year-old Antoni Horka of No. 100 Simson Street. He slightly cut a finger on his hand; the wound became so badly infected that doctors fear for his life. After a week’s vacation, evening schools have now reopened in Ironton and Goundry. 1916-09-01 Next Monday, that is on the national holiday “Labor Day,” a parish picnic will be held on the grounds between 8th and 9th Streets. This picnic was originally scheduled for July 4, but for important reasons had to be postponed. All proceeds from the picnic will be devoted to the construction of a new church, as the current church building has become too small for the local Polish community, which has grown very rapidly in recent times. Festivities will last all day, with the main attraction being a picnic football match between the “Polish Defenders” club and a club made up of skilled players, led by Mr. Stanisław Rosiński, who will surely prove to everyone that he has not yet retired from athletic competition. The Polish community is growing every day. Recently many families have come to our city, especially from Buffalo, so that today there is no housing at all available for newcomers. On side streets one can notice home construction, and in the spring many new houses will certainly appear. In the past week Poles purchased fourteen building lots on Centre Avenue, East Avenue, and First Avenue, through Mr. Prelewicz. There is plenty of work in local factories, and everyone is earning good wages. There will be no Polish candidates for municipal offices in the upcoming primaries this year. However, Polish voters will support those candidates who have shown goodwill and have aided Poles when needed. It turns out that the number of Polish votes is far too small for such a large Polish population. There are only 155 Polish votes. At Sunday’s meeting of the Falcons (Sokół), applications from twenty-two new candidates will be considered. The ranks of the “gray team” in North Tonawanda continue to grow. The matter of purchasing land for a new Sokol Hall will be discussed, as well as the sale of a lot on Centre Avenue. The Sokół organization is steadily working toward one goal: to erect a new Sokol Hall as soon as possible, where people may gather and deliberate not only on the development of the organization, but also on the needs and improvements of the Polish district. Following a complaint by Mrs. Julia Dziwanowska of 144 Ironton Street, police arrested Filip Gutkowski of 696 Oliver Street on charges of third-degree assault and battery. At the preliminary hearing held yesterday morning, it was learned that the accused allegedly struck Mrs. Dziwanowska after she reprimanded him for supposed improper behavior toward her daughter in her apartment. By agreement of attorneys for both sides, the court postponed the case until next Thursday. The accused posted bail and remains free pending trial. After a period of inactivity, the Zorza Benevolent Society intends to resume work in earnest and is organizing a theatrical performance, the date of which will be decided at the next meeting. Members have begun collecting donated items. The Polish community—especially Polish patients—is pleased, as they can now be treated by a Polish physician, Dr. W. Tyszliński, who has lived here for several weeks. A Polish dentist is expected to arrive soon. The school year will begin next week. The Felician Sisters have already arrived, and classrooms are being cleaned daily so that there will be no obstacles next Tuesday. 1917-07-06 STABBED HIM IN THE BACK. In Ironton, North Tonawanda, a picnic and celebration was taking place, which among others was attended by Antoni Zawadzki, a 30-year-old local resident. While Zawadzki was engaged in conversation with several Polish young women near Center Street, suddenly—under cover of darkness and in the shadow of the trees—some criminal attacked him and plunged a large knife into his back, then disappeared into the night, unseen by any reliable witnesses to the murderous assault. Dr. Tarasiński provided medical assistance to Zawadzki, but there is little hope of keeping him alive. 1921-03-12 RUSIN AND JAWORSKI ARRESTED. After a chase and a gunfight with revolvers, the police succeeded in arresting Stefan Rusin, of 15 Fifteenth Avenue, and Fred Jaworski, of 2 Miller Avenue, in the city of North Tonawanda, early in the morning. Both are 19 years old and are charged with robbing a freight car. During the pursuit, the police opened fire. At ten o’clock in the evening, the police received a report that someone was breaking into freight cars. One car was standing on the tracks leading toward the city of Lockport. When Chief Ryan and the officers arrived at the scene, the two suspects jumped from the car and began shooting, then fled across the tracks into the Ironton district. 1921-05-20 A double celebration on Sunday, May 22. — In the morning, schoolchildren will receive their First Holy Communion. In the afternoon, a parade of societies and the May celebration. — Poles decorate their homes with Polish and American flags. — The Harmonia Singing Society launches a membership drive. — Personal news. — Piernowski’s wife threw a plate at her husband. — An interesting court chronicle. — Polish affairs. Sunday, May 22, has entered the history of the local parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa as a landmark day of religious and national importance. It is the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3rd — one of Poland’s greatest national holidays — and also the day of First Holy Communion for schoolchildren. As every year, all societies affiliated with the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa have been invited by the parish priest to take part in this solemn occasion. The children will be led in a ceremonial procession from the school to the church. The solemn Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Benedykowski, who will deliver an address appropriate to the moment before distributing Holy Communion. Overall, the Sunday celebration at the parish promises to be impressive. That same Sunday at 1:30 p.m., church and national societies will assemble into a demonstrative procession to mark the great May celebration. The Polish community of North Tonawanda is expected to honor this great national holiday — the anniversary of the Constitution — in a fitting manner. It is a great day for all of Poland and for Poles everywhere. During the procession, Poles will decorate their homes with national flags. It is a civic duty in North Tonawanda that every Polish man and woman be properly dressed on this day, and especially that national colors be worn. The well-liked Harmonia Singing Society, which owns its own building, has begun a campaign to recruit new members. At its last meeting, each member pledged to bring at least two new candidates within two months. Citizens and youth of North Tonawanda should join the Harmonia Singing Society in large numbers. It promotes Polish song — and everyone knows that Polish song is the most effective defense against the denationalization of the Polish people. Children and youth who join Harmonia gain access to a highly valued community. Thanks to Harmonia, cultural and educational work among local youth continues to advance, nurturing the young Polish spirit. Long live song! After the meeting, Harmonia held a so-called “Smok” (social gathering) for members. The evening was lively and cheerful, with games, entertainment, and discussions for the youth. In short, the meeting was a great success, and the organization benefited greatly. Many people shop at the “Rozmaitości” (Varieties) store on Oliver Street, owned by Mr. Józef Pawlik. The store offers goods at the lowest prices, while guaranteeing honesty and courtesy. The slogan is “Buy from your own.” Everything we can recommend. Last Sunday, a lively christening celebration took place at the home of local residents on Oliver Street, attended by many relatives and friends. The festivities lasted late into the night. The godmother of the newborn was Miss Józefa Pawlik, and the godfather Mr. Bolesław Kaczmarek. At a generously set table, guests enjoyed themselves warmly…, and the good cheer was enhanced by a speech from Mr. Teofil Lipiński of Buffalo, formerly a resident of Tonawanda and founder of a butter shop near the parish school. Miss Zofia Pawlicka was asked to collect donations. The following contributions were made: Teofil Lipiński — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Franonek — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Susanek — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Waszkowski — $1.00 Mrs. Dembek — $1.00 S. Dembek — $0.25 Mr. and Mrs. Kaszubski — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Pawlicki — $2.00 Mr. Jakowski — $0.50 Total — $8.75 The money was presented to the parish priest, Fr. Benedykowski, who expressed heartfelt thanks to the donors. Because the dinner that his wife cooked and served to her husband, Józef Piernowski of Ironton Street, did not suit his taste, Piernowski threw a bowl of soup at his wife, spilling it so badly that it splashed over the tableware, and then continued throwing objects at her. A plate struck Piernowski in the eye, injuring him; nevertheless, he managed to flee. The injuries were significant. The police were notified and an officer arrived on a motorcycle, but Piernowski had already left the house and hid in a place known as a “bimber” joint called “Pod Krzyżem.” He was eventually found and placed under arrest. He is charged with assault and battery against his wife in the third degree. 1922-02-07 BANDITS RAMPAGE IN NORTH TONAWANDA Severe beating of the owner of a soft-drink shop. Frank Nowak arrested. In the Ironton district of the town of North Tonawanda, a major disturbance broke out recently when police received reports about lawless bandits. The result of the police investigation was the arrest of one of the alleged bandits. For now, police have not yet filed formal charges and are awaiting further developments. Police arrested Frank Nowak, age 28, of 48 Third Avenue, as one of the alleged bandits who attacked Jan Brzeziński, owner of a soft-drink shop at 5 Fifth Avenue. Brzeziński sustained such serious injuries that he was beaten unconscious; during the fight several gunshots were fired. Later that evening, police learned that a gang had broken into the home of Frank Czerwiński at 38 Seventh Avenue and assaulted participants of a gathering there. Police believe that the same gang was responsible for the attack on Brzeziński. 1923-02-08 Poles in North Tonawanda are actively working to obtain citizenship for as many people as possible. A special session of the naturalization court held this week granted citizenship to 37 new Polish citizens in North Tonawanda. Much credit for this work is owed to Mr. Stanisław Rosiński, who helped prepare the first papers and served as a principal witness for several of our compatriots. This year it is expected that Poles in North Tonawanda will gain approximately 100 new citizens of this country. In North Tonawanda, new enterprises are being built—specifically, two Poles, Mr. Bork and Mr. Krasiński, are constructing a large new coal yard at a cost of $25,000 at Ironton Avenue and 6th Avenue. This is a business that will undoubtedly develop rapidly here. Much is being said about an upcoming bazaar to be organized by the Slavic Citizens of the Polish Home in early March. The bazaar is intended to increase financial resources to help pay down part of the debt on the building, and at the same time to maintain the Polish Home and construct a new bowling alley, which the youth have been strongly requesting. All societies operating in North Tonawanda have pledged to assist with this bazaar. The Polish Women’s Society “Zorza” and the Rosary Women’s Society will certainly organize their own booths. All booths will be stocked with abundant goods, which are already in good supply. On Thursday, February 1, an elegant surprise party was held at the home of Mrs. Marya Jetter on 5th Avenue. Participants in this pleasant gathering were presented with beautiful gifts. The party was held in honor of Mrs. Marya’s name day. The following ladies took part: H. Zakrzewska, Z. Okójska, G. Krzywda, A. Turmanek, J. Pawlicka, J. Neel, A. Stempińska, Mrs. Woloszen, J. Kotecka, and Miss Kwiatkowska. The celebrant extends heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making the event enjoyable. The Polish Women’s Society Zorza is organizing a masquerade on Tuesday, February 6, at the Polish Home. Reportedly, beautiful prizes will be awarded—unmatched by any previous masquerade held by any society. The active organizing committee is working tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. Proceeds from the event are designated for a noble cause, as Polish women are always ready to offer help. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1912-04-18 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ea2b0cf44a5c57771f4dc188dff89073.jpg 3b783eef5bb77a0a294cdeecee431193 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Advertisement A graphic or text document produced by an entity for promotional purposes. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Village of Niagara, advertising poster at Long Homestead (1824-07-05).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1824-07-05 https://nthistory.com/files/original/38117c401a26d58d331d9830aac208c3.jpg eb8edf0b453e75d599e6b5eb1bdcb225 Illustration An abstracted line drawing or depiction. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mary Long, portrait at Long Homestead (c.1840).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1840 person https://nthistory.com/files/original/e8152dc95ca5811758b608786498d58c.jpg 360d1841461299d2f1bac44189a16de9 Illustration An abstracted line drawing or depiction. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Benjamin Long, portrait at Long Homestead (c.1840).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1840 person https://nthistory.com/files/original/faa98ccc433c21d665bfad53f8dfcde8.jpg db1c1de0e4854000a17be4ee24159dbf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Avenues / Ironton (Neighborhood) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/83e.jpg" alt="Ironton and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr" />Ironton Street and First Ave in 2024. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr See also: <a href="https://www.nthistory.com/articles/lost-village-of-ironton/">The lost village of Ironton and the birth of the Avenues</a> and <a href="https://nthistory.com/collections/show/141">Avenues Folk: Mary Kijowski-Konstanty of Fifteenth Ave</a>. Origins of Ironton The "spark" for Ironton arrives in 1873, when Niagara Furnace (later <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/16">Tonawanda Iron and Steel)</a> locates on the banks of the Niagara River near Wheatfield Street. The unofficial village of "Ironton" is named after the promising venture. After initial excitement (and investment in the surrounding land) however, the furnace shuts down after only a year in operation.  Early doings In 1875 map, homes are seen in the lower Avenues. Oliver Street business? Churches. Colonel Payne's estate is still intact across Payne and up to Dahlgren Place, the former northern limit of the early Avenues. Ironton Street from 1880s according to ArcGIS. "From 1880-1890, its population increased form 1,492 to 4,793," (Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York, p.110). In 1882, the establishment of a John Cichoki's <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1665">tavern on River Road</a> near Wheatfield street <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1543">is a foothold</a> for early Polish settlers. Grocers and butchers are nearby. In 1884 a "minor school in a small frame building" is established less than a quarter mile east down Wheatfield at Dahlgren Place (<a href="https://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1477">Buffalo Courier Express, 1905)</a>. In 1889 or 1890, the much larger, Richardsonian Romanesque style <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/64">Ironton Public School #2</a> opens at the corner of 1st Ave and Oliver Street.  The furnace burns again; the River Road industrial corridor The old Niagara Furnace site is expanded and relaunched in 1889 by Tonawanda Iron and Steel. The adjacent marshes and former farms once again become valuable real estate, with "manufacturing interests" courted for the valuable land along the river and railroad tracks. More Poles, Hungarians and others flock to the Avenues, bringing their languages, traditions and chickens with them. An 1891 guidebook describes the real estate situation: <blockquote>It was purchased from Pratt & Jewett by Geo. P. Smith and A. J. Hathaway, Oct. 15, 1889, replatted, and Jan. 1st, 1890, put on the market. Within a year 500 building lots had been sold and 100 houses erected. With June of the present year [1891] the Ironton Land Co. was incorporated with capital of §100,000 and everything bids fair for a prosperous career, as this is the river center of North Tonawanda corporation, and being traversed by all the rail- roads it cannot fail to secure prominent manufacturing interests. The Ironton addition is less than a mile from the North Tonawanda City Hall. With the Iron & Steel Works, the surrounding lumber interests and the bolt and nut works of Plumb, Burdict ct Barnard, which has recently been located on the adjoining property, this section of the city will make a convenient and desirable place for mechanics and business firms. It has the water supply, electric lights, and will soon be connected by the electric street car line. A double two story brick block for stores has just been completed on Oliver street, making a nice addition to the mercantile conveniences there, a $15,000 brick school house was erected a couple of years since, a church dedicated in August and this section has all the modern conveniences of the older part of the city.</blockquote> Land In November 1889, <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/smithgeorgep1897bio.html">George P. Smith</a> and <a href="https://niagara.nygenweb.net/biography/hathawayaj1897bio.html">A. J. Hathaway</a> buy land opposite the iron works. Incorporation into the City of North Tonawanda The village of "Ironton" (along with the villages of North Tonawanda, Gratwick and Martinsville) is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897. The last remnant of the old village name is in its "Ironton Street," running along the west edge of the original avenues. It never had its own post office, or government, but it is an interesting part of the patchwork of the original city that has mostly now vanished from public recall. An increasingly Polish community on the Avenues For the numerous Polish on the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/3436">original seven avenues</a>, their church is the center of their community. OLC is established on Center Ave, exactly where the grotto is today. It is later rebuilt just south. <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/98">Pettit Creek</a> flows through the area (it will be covered). <a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200105.pdf">The paving of Oliver Street being planned August 26, 1893. </a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> A progress report </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200169.pdf">about a month later</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">. October 5 </a><a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200235.pdf">there is labor trouble between Poles and Italians</a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s">.</a> The upper avenues remain essentially woods and marshes until the 1940s, when settlement accelerates with the nationwide Baby Boom.  Notes:  * Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, of the State of New-York (1884, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEdAQAAIAAJ">Google Books)</a> Also has lots of details about new Goundry Street school and a brief mention of Gratwick school and enrollment figures.1890 "The village of Tonawanda is up and awake as far as educational matters are concerned. It has a progressive board of education composed of five members, all liberal men in their views. A new brick school building is nearly completed at Ironton, a suburb of the village, that would be a pride to any town."<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zCwdAQAAIAAJ&dq=ironton+tonawanda&source=gbs_navlinks_s"> </a> John Carr on Facebook in January 2017: "Go back to the 1800's and my great grandfather's farm, as well as several others, was there, extending from the river inland past Payne. The house was originally along the river. Eventually the lumber yards and steel mills pushed the property, and the house back from the river to Oliver (#849 or #869). In the 1890's, after his death, the property was sold off and developed into individual housing lots. At that time the area was annexed to North Tonawanda, before that the area was part of Wheatfield. Carr Street still exists by the town pool. Many of my great grand parents children and their families had homes in the area. We see the area today pretty much as it was developed then, however modernized a bit and not the capitol of industry it was then." <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b5be67cf0e05477e8f4ad3161ab51422">ArcGIS</a> and old map notes: <ul> <li>1860 map show Cap. O. Shepard in a few places. From Ohio. Buried there. H(enry) Rosebrock from Hanover, Germany (1880 Census); H. Luttman German. F. Roney</li> <li>Homes on Ironton Street range between 1870 (96 Ironton), 1880 (144 Ironton) and into the early 1900s. Some Year 0s (e.g., 188).</li> <li>The River Rd - Wheatfield "businesses" at southeast corner are 1900-1930, couple of year 0s, though 1886 map shows SOMETHING there earlier.</li> <li>Weston & Son lumber all around in 1886 maps, Stocum & DeGraff south across Summer</li> <li>Simson Street: Properties start at 1860 (23 Simson), couple 1880s and 0s. "Rua, Joseph M" listed as owned on many.  1875 map it's called "Judd Ave, and names of homeowners are given (several Simsons); Called "Miller" in 1886 map. Early enclave for nearby mill, predating even Iron Works? </li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Carr buys 111 acres of Lot 75, deed (1868-04-27).jpg Description An account of the resource This Indenture, made the Twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight BETWEEN Arthur J. Ayer, Susan S. Ayer his wife of the Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, of the first part, and John Carr of the same place. of the second part, Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Six Thousand, six hundred sixty-seven dollars and twenty cents, to them in hand paid, hath sold, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, ALL that tract or parcel of land situate in the Town of Wheatfield Niagara County State of New York being the northerly half of Lot number seventy-five and bounded as follows to wit East by the Mile line and West by the Niagara River; North by the [north] line of lot seventy-four & South by a line parallel with the north line of said lot number seventy-five. Containing one hundred and eleven acres & 12/100 acres of land. Excepting the lands conveyed to the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Rail Road Company & the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road Company! This being the same lands conveyed by deed to Orson Shepard and Jonathan S. Ayers dated Oct 15th 1855 & recorded in the County Clerk’s Office of Niagara County Oct 31st 1855 in Book of Deeds No 65 at page 495. <h2 data-start="1534" data-end="1563">Quick abstract (key facts)</h2> <ul data-start="1564" data-end="2281"> <li data-start="1564" data-end="1591"> Date: 27 April 1868 </li> <li data-start="1592" data-end="1683"> Grantors: Arthur J. Ayers and Susan B. Ayers (wife), Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY </li> <li data-start="1684" data-end="1726"> Grantee: John Carr, Wheatfield </li> <li data-start="1727" data-end="1763"> Consideration: $6,667.20 </li> <li data-start="1764" data-end="1941"> Land: Northerly half of Lot 75, Wheatfield <ul data-start="1821" data-end="1941"> <li data-start="1821" data-end="1840"> East: Mile Line </li> <li data-start="1843" data-end="1866"> West: Niagara River </li> <li data-start="1869" data-end="1891"> North: Lot 74 line </li> <li data-start="1894" data-end="1941"> South: line parallel with Lot 75 north line </li> </ul> </li> <li data-start="1942" data-end="1975"> Acreage: 111.12 acres </li> <li data-start="1976" data-end="2108"> Exceptions: prior conveyances to Buffalo & Niagara Falls Rail Road Co. and Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road Co. </li> <li data-start="2109" data-end="2281"> Prior deed breadcrumb: deed to Orson Shepard and Jonathan S. Ayers dated Oct 15, 1855, recorded Oct 31, 1855, Deeds Book 65, p. 495 (Niagara County Clerk) </li> </ul> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1868-04-27 People A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Carr, John James (1817-1891) Description An account of the resource Born 1817 in Dromore Parish, Down, Ireland. In Wheatfield by 1860. https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/22937845/person/272174679708/facts?usePUBJs=true Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1817 https://nthistory.com/files/original/a7d3f27500e55fb55c73c799746432dc.jpg e4b658886498c93a28c76e5eb5c8b979 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rojek's Dairy, Stan Rojek and Park Manor Lanes Description An account of the resource Andrew and Pauline Rojek immigrated to the US in 1905 from present-day Poland. They were were carpenters and dairy farmers, eventually establishing Rojek's Dairy at 125-129 12th Avenue. (Andrew would also continue his contractor career). Son Stan Rojek was born in 1919, and he realized the dream of many a North Tonawanda boy by being signed to play shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. His locker, as luck would have it, was right next to color barrier-busting Jackie Robinson's locker, and it is said Stan was one of the first players in the Dodgers' clubhouse to accept the future legend. Shortly after his baseball career ended (around 1952), Stan returned to North Tonawanda to help with the family dairy. But he was not done with sports: In 1961 Stan and his brothers (Ted and Tony) purchased Manor Lanes bowling alley at 895 Payne Avenue (today the Salvation Army). Stan called in some "major league" favors for the alley's grand opening that August, snagging New York Yankee HOF manager Joe McCarthy to roll out the first ball. The brothers ran the bowling alley while continuing to operate the dairy. Today, "Rojek Field" on Walck Road pays honor to the major leaguer, just a few blocks from the 12th Avenue home that started it all. Some more insight into Stan's baseball career from <a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/stan-rojek/">an article by Edward Veit</a>: <blockquote>Late in the afternoon of September 22, 1942, propelled by a Lew Riggs single, pinch-runner Stan Rojek rounded third base and scored a ninth-inning run that sent the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants into extra innings. A five-feet-ten, 170 pound shortstop, appearing in his first major-league game, Rojek found himself in the midst of one of the all-time great pennant races. Three seasons would pass before Rojek got another taste of major-league baseball. Stanley Andrew Rojek was born on April 21, 1919, in North Tonawanda, New York, located on the Niagara River between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. His parents were Andrzej (later anglicized to Andrew) and Apolonia Rojek. Andrew, a house carpenter, a building contractor and lastly a dairy farmer, was born in Wylawa, Galicia (now part of Poland) and had immigrated in 1905. Stan was the second of three boys and had an older sister, Julia. After graduating from North Tonawanda High School—where he also played basketball—Rojek played semipro baseball in Western New York. He attracted the attention of Brooklyn scout Dick Fischer and subsequently signed with the Dodgers in 1939. Stan was assigned to the Class D PONY League in Olean, New York, just eighty-four miles south of his home. Rojek hit .320 in Olean, then worked his way through the Brooklyn farm system. He was with the Class C Dayton (Ohio) Wings in 1940 and the Class B Durham (North Carolina) Bulls in 1941. Promoted to Montreal, the Dodgers top farm team, in 1942, he hit .283 and was named to the International League All-Star team. He was a late September call-up to Brooklyn, but got into just the one contest. The next baseball game Stan Rojek played was a pick-up game in 1943 at the US Army’s Keesler Field in Mississippi. Rojek, like many major and minor leaguers, had been called to serve in World War II. Stan was prime material for the war effort, twenty-four-years-old, single, and in great physical condition. By July 1945 Rojek was in the Pacific, at Isley Field on Saipan, and playing for the 73rd Bomb Wing Bombers, whose roster included major leaguers Sid Hudson, Tex Hughson, and Mike McCormick. Rojek led the players on the 20th Air Force tour of the Pacific Islands with a .363 batting average and had three home runs. “The wars years may have retarded the chances of some young players, but I am one of the fortunate,” he told The Sporting News. “I am leaving the Army a better player because I had the experience of playing with and against seasoned major league stars. I played more than 200 games in the Army, and I didn’t do badly.”1 Discharged in December 1945, Rojek looked forward to returning to Brooklyn and earning the starting assignment at shortstop. Unfortunately for him, he was a member of one of the few teams where he could not compete for that role. The Dodgers had future Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese firmly entrenched at short. Rojek served as his backup, getting into just 45 games, hitting .277 (13-for-47). The right-handed-hitting Rojek made his first major league hit an important one. On May 8, 1946, pinch hitting for pitcher Les Webber, Rojek singled off Reds southpaw Clyde Shoun to drive in the first run of an eventual ninth inning, four-run rally. He stayed in the game to play second base in the bottom of the ninth and had another single in the tenth. Brooklyn and St. Louis famously posted identical records in the ’46 campaign, and Rojek appeared in the first major league playoff game. Stan pinch hit for Kirby Higbe in the top of the fifth inning and drew a free pass. It was his last contribution of the season. Rojek played in only thirty-two games in 1947, but he started more games than the previous year, filling in for the injured Reese at short and for Eddie Stanky at second. He also played nine games at third. From August 24 through September 1, Rojek was the starting shortstop for all ten games. The Dodgers were 7-3 in that span and Stan batted .314 with six RBIs and made no errors in the field. Overall, he committed only two errors in 116 chances (.983) and hit .263 (21-for-80). He showed very little power, though, managing only one extra base hit. Stan did not appear in the 1947 World Series but did receive a full share, $4,081, of Brooklyn’s allotment. In November, with the winter meetings and the minor league draft looming, Branch Rickey was looking for roster flexibility. One of his first moves was to shed Rojek and first baseman Ed Stevens. The pair were sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a reported $50,000. Initially Rojek’s Pirates teammates called him “Reject” because he had been dumped by the Dodgers. He also was called “The Happy Rabbit” because of his projecting front teeth, his attitude, and his quickness in scurrying around shortstop. The way was cleared for Rojek to secure the everyday shortstop role, when three weeks after his transfer to Pittsburgh, the Pirates shortstop Billy Cox was traded to Brooklyn. With regular work, Rojek flourished. He played shortstop in all of the Pirates’ 156 games as Pittsburgh rose from last place in 1947 to fourth place in 1948. He had twenty-nine errors in 766 chances for a .962 fielding average, slightly better than the league average. He led all shortstops with 475 assists and his ninety-one double plays were second only to Reese’s ninety-three. New Pittsburgh manager Billy Meyer called Rojek “a pennant-winning shortstop.”2 The leadoff hitter for 153 games, Rojek, who hit .290 with twenty-seven doubles, five triples, four homers and fifty-one RBIs, led the league in plate appearances (713) and at-bats (641). He finished third in the National League in hits (186) and stolen bases (24). Impressively, he finished tenth in the vote for the National League Most Valuable Player. It was by far his best season as a major leaguer. Rojek probably got much satisfaction in 1948 from the Pirates defeating the Dodgers thirteen times in twenty-two games. On July 25 he had eight hits in nine at-bats as Pittsburgh and Brooklyn split a doubleheader; overall, he hit .323 against his old mates and slugged .444, each well above his season average. Yet in 1949 his offensive statistics declined sharply. On April 27, against the Cardinals, Rojek, who had two hits and scored two runs in the game, was twice hit by a pitch. The second one, in the ninth inning, was a beaning by pitcher Ken Johnson that sent Rojek to the hospital. Rojek said after the beaning he was never the same. He said his teammates “noted that I was just a fraction of a second hesitant in my swing. It wasn’t that I was afraid. It was just my reaction wasn’t there anymore. And you need every fraction of a second you can get in trying to hit a round ball with a round bat, especially if that ball is thrown some ninety-plus miles per hour.”3 His batting average fell to .244 for the year, and in 1950 he batted .257 in seventy-six games while being platooned with twenty-three-year-old Danny O’Connell. Branch Rickey, who had moved from the Dodgers to the Pirates and had cut Rojek’s salary, had promised to give the fun-loving infielder a raise if he married. Stan wed Audrey Moeller, but Rickey failed to pay up, and in May 1951 traded him to the Cardinals for outfielder Erv “Four Sack” Dusak and first baseman Rocky Nelson. Rojek batted .274 in fifty-one games for the Cardinals, backing up Solly Hemus. In January 1952 the Cardinals sent him on waivers to the St. Louis Browns. With the Browns he played in only nine games, the last one on May 13—his last game in the major leagues—before being sent to Toledo of the American Association. After the season, the Browns sent Rojek to the Dodgers in a deal that brought Billy Hunter to St. Louis. It was not quite full circle for Rojek—he never played for the Dodgers, and spent 1953 through 1955 as a part-time infielder for Dodgers farm clubs in Mobile, Montreal, and St. Paul. After the 1955 season, the thirty-six-year-old Rojek retired from baseball and joined his brothers Anthony and Theodore in the family’s dairy business in North Tonawanda. In 1961 the three brothers opened Rojek’s Park Manor Bowling Lanes. Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy, a resident of the area, rolled the first ball. Family members said the bowling alley idea more than likely came from Stan Musial, who visited Rojek often. “They were two Polish guys talking and laughing,” commented Rojek’s nephew, Jim Rojek. The brothers operated the bowling alley for twenty-five years. In June 1977 North Tonawanda renamed Payne Field, a city ballpark, Stan Rojek Field. Rojek is also enshrined in the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame. Stan and his wife were divorced during the 1980s, according to nephew Jim, and she moved to Florida. Rojek suffered a stroke in 1995. He died on July 9, 1997, in North Tonawanda. He was survived by a son, Bart, a daughter, Betty Valek of Southington, Connecticut, and five grandchildren. Rojek is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Tonawanda.</blockquote> Object Photos or illustrations of artifacts of an entity. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rojek's dairy, carton (c.1950) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 https://nthistory.com/files/original/4e456f2818ffd4d279919f2167ac85d0.jpg b56b342fd678ed299af1c120018f0cbe Map A diagram of a geographical area's major arteries of transportation, buildings, land owners and terrain. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawandas, Sanborn insurance map overview (1913).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1913 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/8a4205d122c18a282c8cf5e3099ff3e8.pdf bb33593228a937e53bc986fb13ccce02 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Wurlitzer: 100 Years of Musical Achievement. Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. Chicago, Illinois. 1956. Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/52.jpg" alt="The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters." /> The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters. Postcard, c.1940. Its iconic tower has presided over Sawyer's Creek and Martinsville for over 100 years. The sprawling industrial campus left behind by the world-famous Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company produced merry-go-round organs, band organs, church organs, theater organs and jukeboxes that have left an indelible mark on the world, and on generations of North Tonawandans. Wurlitzer founder Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831-1914) was a German immigrant who (after stops in New Jersey and Philadelphia) landed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1854 at the age of 23. He worked for a bank, and down the street was a musical retail store. His father, Christian, was a successful music retailer in Germany, and Rudolph's experience told him the Ohio store's instruments were of poor quality, and priced too high. In 1856 he begins importing quality musical instruments from his family in Germany to sell at a profit in American retail stores. The business grows; Wurlitzer begins making instruments themselves for the U. S. military and for retail. The company branches out into "automatic" musical instruments, such as music boxes and player-pianos. Rudolph's three sons, Howard, Rudolph H., and Farny become involved along the way, and take on aspects of the growing family business. The youngest son, Farny, is sent to North Tonawanda to run the former <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/24">de Kleist Musical Instrument Mfg. Co.</a> shortly after it is purchased by Wurlitzer in 1908. (de Kleist was building player pianos and band organs for Wurlitzer and others since 1893). Farny brings eccentric English inventor Robert Hope-Jones to the plant in 1910, initiating the worldwide success of the "Mighty Wurlitzer" theater organ, which provides sound for the silent films of the day, and entertainment in its own right. This business evaporates when sound comes to movies, and electrical sound amplification permits musical entertainment to be furnished to venues of all types much less expensively. When the Wurlitzer company finds itself overextended in the wake of the Great Depression, Farny fights to keep the North Tonawanda facility open. In 1934 he strikes a deal with Homer Capehart to manufacture his automatic phonograph, which becomes the iconic Wurlitzer jukebox. Under his leadership the company also produces a successful line of electronic organs for home use, and the North Tonawanda plant becomes the flagship of the Wurlitzer factories, with 3,000 employees. After his death in 1972, jukebox and organ production are phased out, leaving 200 employees in 1974. By 1975, all manufacturing at the North Tonawanda plant is stopped, and by August 1976, all company activities are removed to other locations. Advertisement A graphic or text document produced by an entity for promotional purposes. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wurlitzer player piano, ad (New York Tribune, 1918-03-31).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1918-03-31 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c75ba215419a490135d21a0d0bd2370b.pdf 4c3e825992a2e71a9cdde2a60ca6c41b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Along the frontier, Erie Canal placed New York First, article (Tonawanda News, 1924-11-18).pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1924-11-18 https://nthistory.com/files/original/5c85af39085335da28198cab0079d3ee.jpg 6af3f527dd2aad87a0b99fdf1742ab34 https://nthistory.com/files/original/268ba91ddebbbb9a69b4f1d65e2eed54.jpg e0b388d88ef506df0601fb84eeef5297 Object Photos or illustrations of artifacts of an entity. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A. Weston and Son, postcard receipt (1882).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1882 https://nthistory.com/files/original/8fd478eb3cd2a09fab453314b89902b9.png 44e75561b59163cfaa74e1a0895a93ee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo-Glencoe Tondas (Hockey Club, 1973-1975) Description An account of the resource From <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/buffalo-tondas-5056.html">hockeydb.com</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo Tondas were a junior hockey team which played in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League from 1973 to 1974. The team was owned by two Buffalo-area surgeons, Dr. Dudley E. Turecki and Dr. Syde A. Taheri, who would also own the planned sports complex in North Tonawanda where the Tondas were scheduled to play. The ice rink at the complex was not expected to be finished until December,so the Tondas began play at the Hyde Park Ice Pavillion in Niagara Falls NY. However by late November, it became evident that the new rink would not be completed in time. The Tondas lease in Niagara Falls only ran through December 1, so the Tondas received permission from the league to transfer to Glencoe, Ontario, with the expectation that they would play in the North Tonawanda Sports Complex the following season. In 1974-75, the Tondas opened their schedule on the road, losing to Guelph 6-4 in Guelph. A day later it was reported in the press that the Tondas had been expelled from the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association because their roster was comprised entirely of Canadian players. Although the team had also played their first season with a Canadian-only roster, the USAHA had taken notice due to a complaintfrom the competing NY-Penn Junior Hockey League which also had a team in Buffalo. The team would not be allowed to play in its newly completed rink. The SOJHL initially defied the USAHA and voted to continue with their planned schedule, however the OHA also voted to support the USAHA decision, and declared that any team which played the Tondas - or which played another team that was suspended for playing the Tondas - would be suspended from the OHA." On October 18, the Tondas were expelled from the SOJHL, and their players were made available to other SOJHL teams via a draft. The team finished with an 0-3 record, and disbanded before ever playing a game in their home rink.</blockquote> "For the team to pay for itself, we need to average 1,000 persons per home game. I don't think that'll be any problem. I think Buffalo is one of the greatest hockey areas in the U.S. and that's why I'm happy to be living here." - Willie Marshall, Courier Express, September 27, 1973. Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tondas out for season, article (Niagara Gazette, 1974-10-20).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1974-10-20 https://nthistory.com/files/original/50e09fdb76f9596beec03dfa0d41f836.pdf 70a4b6becbfc8c7f2e9cef04a7e9c7b6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brief history and large ads for North Tonawanda Land Co., Ironton Land Co., A.W. Story portrait (Tonawanda News, 1894-06-12).pdf Description An account of the resource History includes Cleveland investors. North Tonawanda Land Co. located in Real Estate Exchange Bldg. List of factories within last two years. https://nthistory.com/files/original/f03ceda849407907edceaf7359176470.pdf f7e0b151a057d5acdb605f6e8c680b4d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource New North Tonawanda officials, Gilmore, photo (Buffalo News, 1914-12-31).pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/e3fed5f8095b2f87ed901181db027fd4.png 1d00406b9cbfab00d66b480014498cfb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel Co., note (Engineering and Mining Journal, 1889-07-13).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1889-07-13 https://nthistory.com/files/original/15602424244971266f7848420b0d68e3.png 82283b7814480ae70ad2258d4b3e2905 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel Co., note (Engineering and Mining Journal, 1889-01-19).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1889-01-19 https://nthistory.com/files/original/7cc2ab9d9934c6a7f22bd922df84f2e9.png e78af008a8053bdba0a6eb1c0cdc467c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel and Tonawanda Island, photo (c.1950).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 https://nthistory.com/files/original/e9e7a0f0e4bdc509206605fba248c360.jpg 95294c756582e6fa1fb900134010dbd8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tondas take establishment to court, article (Niagara Gazette, 1976-10-17).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/8b9a7557c7cd62d87299735607c9a2ea.jpg 448812dd2977d59ddc72d121462cc380 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Transfer Lumber and Shingle Company, letterhead and bill (1906).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/d2bf6887bca66286799b6684a3d55be8.pdf f043d3445aa274fc19452cdbe101f63c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Payne Wheatfield registry drama, article 1865-11-01_002.pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/616b3a5d6a0d5a37ae7989b93a894b5a.jpg 027868da96eb1a04bad43b6f09efb126 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource P. W. Scribner, advertising card (c1890).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/a041554b9ea4108229fffcb7624d5c5c.pdf aeeb61a6b11d8a99b4aab64729b0c193 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource NT Centennial edition, Payne, Felton, Bodoni, article (Tonawanda News, 1965-06-26).pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/18693e57e74e08ede506678abe5975a5.jpg b1bf8b6ad0895d5f6608f46cf7b3cd74 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Martinsville Hotel and brass band, photo (c.1880).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/17c5b3cbb96d614e00e277956fb514bb.png d725ad03c7e0857cfd4366647436a971 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joseph E. Gilmore, obit (Tonawanda News, 1948-03-30).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/4030d97c4c9c3549ccf0466b4294125c.png 8c080fe8f6d905e90cbc72c83733f77f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Jack's White Flash, service station, O.iver and Linwood, photo (Ancestry, 1938).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/f5734cb35fb4d00c84cc692c0c19165c.jpg bf8adabe3db712ebca917f90df0a7d21 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ironton football team, newspaper photo (1926).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/6c095c2625b22f3cded7d0774a689d48.pdf 93ecfbab6f00edf54908ef4297054427 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Indian bones uncovered, article (Buffalo Express, 1884-08-14.pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/9b5b9ab87ce0c283f1724876b37c58ae.pdf 7acb36cb81a398c0a16f30994627fd71 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Twin Cities, Millener, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-04-19).pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/eefc6a8145f9a244ec3d6a67ca022989.pdf 5d66451f5d9e002efc2cd1be8ff0c45a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Highlights in history of the Tonawandas, article (Tonawanda News, 1930-04-07).pdf Description An account of the resource Close sketches of business, municipal growth of the Tonawandas. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-04-07 https://nthistory.com/files/original/47143993d3c578e99cbefe74519b877a.jpg 69519a0bfcce96c60e78a2ef22517c9e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick Hose Christmas party, Santa and three pigs, photo (19498-12).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/a7951d4ea28e765c4b83d06ab1266361.png fc8a125582550c578b3c5483ab5ae6bf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Fredreick Robertson and Co. Bankers, illustrated ad (Tonawanda News, (1925-05-04).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/e8dd85d987e9b06f9700a45569637516.jpg cc31e70a06d1e9e8376c38b24d953d07 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Christian Wittkiwski obit, 1939-07-14.jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/9eaddcaa8f5db14eb5716408f47eeb09.pdf 0e7fe5726dd15093fd76419e3c8ffc74 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cholera, Ironton home afflicted, article (Buffalo News, 1892-10-07).pdf https://nthistory.com/files/original/e6f6d9f6b1286e7fc31154cf1b9b4181.jpg bb3804e74c8710d9af5cd9d8bee60b7b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chokes to death as Vic plays, 46 Sweeney, article (Tonawanda News, 1923-02-23).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/6b2d6f71e5cd37af7d7df48c1a52c982.jpg 1d45de9763494c226a2063c8df9c1988 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Carl F. Platter, obit (Tonawanda News, 1985-08-06).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/aeb5636b975fc11797c06d9a76bf6660.png 35932d37153973aba299ce41043287be Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Walenty Krzeminski, Polish-born 1865 and others, photo (Ancestry, before 1947).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ff2f551cbf552184e2ae15b6ddf18dfe.png 2705fbb804aeae2f178d0705f9b33fbb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rose Zoladz at 17, photo (Ancestry 1938).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1938 https://nthistory.com/files/original/40e2da00f6285a14c0b823fbe884687e.jpg 00af59439223533bc47ecfe60b372f83 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rose Scrivo making punch cards at Remington Rand, photo (Ancestry, 1943).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943 https://nthistory.com/files/original/54042243bddd41ad0e8cbf4699e718d6.jpg d5844e839ca5db1bae1faf44739835e1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rosebrock w Auto-Kart on Payne Ave, photo (Ancestry c1915).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1915 https://nthistory.com/files/original/b8059f289ab0aaea99f391daccdc2311.png 43c1ae3e23c21b597cf7ff96272c4c06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ray Kolb Sr in boat, photo (c1910).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1910 https://nthistory.com/files/original/514fcbfb6302d437b4cedce1d218e376.jpg 8a4e928f393fcc41c1ac488a4b85d394 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Oliver and Center, across from OLC, carriage, Krzeminski, Frances and Cecilia, photo (1915).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/fc4b0c27521ac646f4709d11182a0972.jpg 58078545f43dff055b4f7b97e9ac88cf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mabell Lydia Zaggel, photo (Ancestry, c.1910.jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/74c3ce7e4ae5a6a79ca16526d63625be.jpg a31e13ec49dacd044faf32a5b3c363dc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joseph Albert Grzenkowski at his wedding reception, photo (Ancestry 1923-08-10).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/3ec681dc4f1c3a9c07e3d1c9f788b901.jpg 12afec9d5dedc82941b3e89c6e7e642a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Pasciak holding granddaughter Theresa, 418 Rogers St, photo (Ancestry, c1930.jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/056fb036cf7e49cc87c586eb59c1b4c7.png 2b9c7af212ce6390ae504c86a6d02eeb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Olewnick Jr marries Rose Zoladz at OLC, photo (Ancesty, 1942-01-10).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/8eae61b00b86b280e709ecf2296417bb.png 641b8be416134d1745b562cbb33dfcc0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Grunzweigs trimming hedges, Tonawanda (Ancestry, 1940).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/6baa6d9bc52aa49633271dfb85b5b719.png 43503a9ec81680ac3bbee7d1d6853ae9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Girl on bike, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/ce7d5103123d4786be3c6b99f688f68d.png 07fa21a1a726966b4fea03a3ce552a01 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Family with bike, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/0022827edb99651b46ce217784622bb6.png 02327e0322eaedee42eafcf332e342b1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Family next to garden wall, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/aa2ffa0deed763e14ba2c06e50a06ff0.jpg fb56c76679c5b414ff37e216b79587dc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Denny & Gladys with Evelyn Teal, photo (Ancestry c1934).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/bc79c83d32036e6292112171f80df9dd.jpg 7d91823096305d5370a4b264b424c390 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Wurlitzer: 100 Years of Musical Achievement. Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. Chicago, Illinois. 1956. Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/52.jpg" alt="The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters." /> The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters. Postcard, c.1940. Its iconic tower has presided over Sawyer's Creek and Martinsville for over 100 years. The sprawling industrial campus left behind by the world-famous Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company produced merry-go-round organs, band organs, church organs, theater organs and jukeboxes that have left an indelible mark on the world, and on generations of North Tonawandans. Wurlitzer founder Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831-1914) was a German immigrant who (after stops in New Jersey and Philadelphia) landed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1854 at the age of 23. He worked for a bank, and down the street was a musical retail store. His father, Christian, was a successful music retailer in Germany, and Rudolph's experience told him the Ohio store's instruments were of poor quality, and priced too high. In 1856 he begins importing quality musical instruments from his family in Germany to sell at a profit in American retail stores. The business grows; Wurlitzer begins making instruments themselves for the U. S. military and for retail. The company branches out into "automatic" musical instruments, such as music boxes and player-pianos. Rudolph's three sons, Howard, Rudolph H., and Farny become involved along the way, and take on aspects of the growing family business. The youngest son, Farny, is sent to North Tonawanda to run the former <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/24">de Kleist Musical Instrument Mfg. Co.</a> shortly after it is purchased by Wurlitzer in 1908. (de Kleist was building player pianos and band organs for Wurlitzer and others since 1893). Farny brings eccentric English inventor Robert Hope-Jones to the plant in 1910, initiating the worldwide success of the "Mighty Wurlitzer" theater organ, which provides sound for the silent films of the day, and entertainment in its own right. This business evaporates when sound comes to movies, and electrical sound amplification permits musical entertainment to be furnished to venues of all types much less expensively. When the Wurlitzer company finds itself overextended in the wake of the Great Depression, Farny fights to keep the North Tonawanda facility open. In 1934 he strikes a deal with Homer Capehart to manufacture his automatic phonograph, which becomes the iconic Wurlitzer jukebox. Under his leadership the company also produces a successful line of electronic organs for home use, and the North Tonawanda plant becomes the flagship of the Wurlitzer factories, with 3,000 employees. After his death in 1972, jukebox and organ production are phased out, leaving 200 employees in 1974. By 1975, all manufacturing at the North Tonawanda plant is stopped, and by August 1976, all company activities are removed to other locations. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Christian Flateau, Wurlitzer employee badge (c1930).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930 https://nthistory.com/files/original/845be0a777c60863737c0539b10088e4.jpg 4a1a0035c2ec7f6b8e9da328b2c74d4d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Celso, Serena, Carlo Merletti, East Schenck, photo (Ancestry, c1945).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/abb4244194ba8a21ad46ee1c92f61357.png cb564e6dd34944872903b6d3e608a1ad Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource But, Lawrence, Sister Mary Kobos, Walenty Krzeminski (3 unk), North Tonawanda, photo (Ancestry, before 1947).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/f89ffc9aab382a7604d9a14a8223df8d.jpg b7c09c52e09441a1e9c90f15cc1488ff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bush's Bridge, Rosseau, Edward, Ida (Sahr), photo (Ancestry, c1940).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/e1900f4af74341c83e781339e75506ee.jpg a21e9eefe066c6562e1965bed684185e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 574 Oliver St, (Ancestry, 1963).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/e889edee1a57fb4c11646d5f2e27d33f.png cdb55e10b7235e994efb05ea3e0f975f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 219 Robinson, HST, photo (Ancestry, 1888).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/fbabd120b3410fe59074f78287093bc3.png 4ddeaa8c3fd74456d703138bf2f7bc97 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 59 Allen Street, Grandpa Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png https://nthistory.com/files/original/e8ed2740cbb86cf2460dcc24bd2cab66.jpg 7554c3f4963964290d18d4fcbd8e2ce0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource William Schultz, unknown solder, Fred Schultz, Hagen?, photo (Ancestry, c. 1917).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/ca93065cb2677417a4533537510c4b51.jpg b150f531154fe55c6b95f9be0d396ce1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Uncle Jimmy in Grandpa's chicken coop, 41 Bryant, photo (Ancestry).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/808c772e0eaf6bd3d3ea84ee2faee10d.jpg b0ba56ef0ccbbc8a09ab0cfb4871acf9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tony Vona and Nellie Yates wedding party, photo (Ancestry, 1938-07).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/3ffe8b1fe680eac8658392198b47103f.jpg d8435ca651b0455eff9d86e56013b4d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tofts, 107 Keil, photo (Ancestry, 1918).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/e3fdc591259db93021194048fb83e7aa.jpg c0b33e37159c00e760cbd7100dc317fc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Toft family, flags, 109 Keil Street, photo (Ancestry c1915).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/1ee343f53dc8c27a1c3b53ea55a4a99f.jpg 682f504c9d946ae95897da00bf9bf5e8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Toft family, 109 Keil Street, photo (Ancestrt c1915).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/ed5795ee603783a0fe269cd9d344a8dc.jpg f77045d76ef0190af066afca367b27b6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sweeney Street farm, George Stagg and Uncle Fred Zaggel (on right), photo (Ancestry).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/c5b885837352dea072102317f4658ecf.jpg 60128aedd6defdbe9b1c9d4da02ba4bf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sophisticated women, 1944.jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/fc400d2044821be0c57a52a172906b82.jpg 0612430cc4fc16b0852ed87834d41378 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sharlene & Sandy, Sister & Brother, Falconer St. Home, photo (Ancestry c1940).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/de39f274dd48603bf2667dbc1e69ea9e.jpg b73bb3e18448397a839ea2e7763c64c0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mary Keil, photo (Ancestry, c.1937).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/d6fb82b3787553a4125e1e7746b870b1.jpg c434ebf5bbfea25ce9bd4038f1a6dcfd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mary Keil, 21 Jackson Street, photo (Ancestry, c.1937).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/49d834b29420985c4a1d5db30eeae744.jpg 89dc9d4f4693e63e76090cd20cbb5b6a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Maria Piepenhagen center front, 100 Washingtin St., photo (Ancestry, c1940).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/7d1899c60dc31b8567f1b5fb3d989a48.jpg f62f6c6e7cef5b570647436bd0e24dfd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Lockwood Joyce Rathbun, mother and baby, photo (Ancestry, 1924).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/785403f58fce1d45178c83aa747218ee.jpg 6e43edff768e32bc5b5a7f8a566031b3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Kuligowski, photo (Ancestry, c1935.jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/bd4d24a0c5d063f28c3d7ce1cb99d29e.jpg 26f5faf132872d2eb255712402e7cb66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Keil family farm on Nash Road, photo (Ancestry c1894).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/e04ab6e25afe51c94c8be96839b9741f.jpg e224653e1c58e8ee0dc11f18616561cb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource JMLT portrait, 109 Keil, photo (c1915).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/1b3ef056173a5dd3dbccce8ad7838577.jpg 2dda58f2d5280c40fb665363585573a7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Henry Louis Keil and his sisters, Nad Rd farm, photo (Ancestry c1894).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/00ad063f32ae2004b4c67a069d5a624b.jpg fb9c58d0a502a58b4a1c57cb95b23d36 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Great Great Grandpa and Grandma Zimmerman, NT (Ancestry c 1890).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/72cea69c58503d1aac920a9f05d28379.jpg bba6aa42e1598624dcf4e81f98d44888 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Friedens confirmation, photo (Ancestry, 1918).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/2464274e20a06d70fe4f15c2d0f5fac4.jpg c031877d0db126809ee3674c17f47adc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chris and Ed Flateau, wrong side of fence at Falls, photo (Ancestry).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/51ea3aeafa1efe8e94e4c57a5ae05b90.jpg 18788a819851e77e399a4271beeccee7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Charles A. Toye Sr. and other Toyes, photo (Ancestry c. 1950).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/28984a05378df20c1873ef646dbd125e.jpg 45ed010049c71e7fdcdb2ec684b34b5b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Carl Platter fishing, photo (Ancestry, c1930).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/20600adb03e2646b009263479030e924.jpg 27f7884ec818edf55735d5a28d30b745 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ascension church, Wilma Toye, Papsidero wedding, photo (Ancestry, c1950).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/214fad711e7ead7ccbd36793b9aafdeb.jpg e936c2b5149bd45858b3954d75aa86ad Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource North Tonawanda family photos Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Adam Kuglin with Christian Wittkowsky family, 38 Geneva Street, photo (Ancestry, 1888).jpg https://nthistory.com/files/original/d753b39a59ddf348561087af21723184.jpg 20873f60d26e3fcb5c5633aead51ffc3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Buffalo-Glencoe Tondas (Hockey Club, 1973-1975) Description An account of the resource From <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/buffalo-tondas-5056.html">hockeydb.com</a>: <blockquote>The Buffalo Tondas were a junior hockey team which played in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League from 1973 to 1974. The team was owned by two Buffalo-area surgeons, Dr. Dudley E. Turecki and Dr. Syde A. Taheri, who would also own the planned sports complex in North Tonawanda where the Tondas were scheduled to play. The ice rink at the complex was not expected to be finished until December,so the Tondas began play at the Hyde Park Ice Pavillion in Niagara Falls NY. However by late November, it became evident that the new rink would not be completed in time. The Tondas lease in Niagara Falls only ran through December 1, so the Tondas received permission from the league to transfer to Glencoe, Ontario, with the expectation that they would play in the North Tonawanda Sports Complex the following season. In 1974-75, the Tondas opened their schedule on the road, losing to Guelph 6-4 in Guelph. A day later it was reported in the press that the Tondas had been expelled from the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association because their roster was comprised entirely of Canadian players. Although the team had also played their first season with a Canadian-only roster, the USAHA had taken notice due to a complaintfrom the competing NY-Penn Junior Hockey League which also had a team in Buffalo. The team would not be allowed to play in its newly completed rink. The SOJHL initially defied the USAHA and voted to continue with their planned schedule, however the OHA also voted to support the USAHA decision, and declared that any team which played the Tondas - or which played another team that was suspended for playing the Tondas - would be suspended from the OHA." On October 18, the Tondas were expelled from the SOJHL, and their players were made available to other SOJHL teams via a draft. The team finished with an 0-3 record, and disbanded before ever playing a game in their home rink.</blockquote> "For the team to pay for itself, we need to average 1,000 persons per home game. I don't think that'll be any problem. I think Buffalo is one of the greatest hockey areas in the U.S. and that's why I'm happy to be living here." - Willie Marshall, Courier Express, September 27, 1973. Object Photos or illustrations of artifacts of an entity. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Erie's Buffalo Tondas, hockey puck (c1973).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1973 Description An account of the resource Courtesy of Tim Lynch. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sketch of early North Tonawanda history in The Ganson Street Tigers Go to War by Frederick T. Adcock.htm Description An account of the resource The calmness of this virgin forest was disturbed in the year 1801 when soldiers of the young Republic were ordered to cut a road through the dank woodlands. General James Wilkinson commanded the expedition intent on linking the garrison at Fort Niagara on the lower Niagara River with the settlement of New Amsterdam (Buffalo) on the upper reaches of the watercourse. The US Government had entrusted the mission to an officer with a checkered past. General Wilkinson was a flabby, balding Revolutionary War veteran and was later found to be a spy in the service of Spain. Historian Robert Leckie summarized his career as, “a general who never won a battle or lost a court-martial.” But, Wilkinson and his command succeeded with the construction of the military road and a series of bridges needed to traverse numerous tributaries feeding the grand river. A rough-hewn bridge constructed across Tonawanda Creek allowed the uninterrupted passage of military personnel and goods between the isolated settlements. To protect the vital span, the US Army constructed a log blockhouse and stationed a small detachment of blue-coated infantrymen. Among the guard was Lieutenant John Sweeney, a Buffalo businessman, who would become a prominent land speculator along Tonawanda Creek years later. In 1808, Henry Anguish became the first settler along the banks of the creek. He raised a small cabin and cleared some farmland. Anguish’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to build a tavern three years later, and his best, and possibly his only, customers were the soldiers from the blockhouse a short distance away. Settlers quickly developed the lands near the bridge and along the military road. The dense forests of oak trees disappeared under the swing of broad axes and the cleared land was cultivated. The prosperity of the frontier community was destroyed during the War of 1812 when British soldiers torched nearly every structure along the Niagara River. American militiamen had burned the sturdy bridge over Tonawanda Creek in 1813 to prevent the advance of the British upon the village of Buffalo. This action had only temporarily saved the village. A few days later, British forces crossed the Niagara River and burned Buffalo, leaving only the stone foundations and chimneys in the smoldering ruins. After the peace, the hardy settlers returned to their charred homes to rebuild their lives. Pioneering men such as Colonel John Sweeney, George Goundry, and Stephen Jacobs utilized the wood and water resources of the region to accumulate small fortunes and the settlement along the creek grew and prospered. With the westward expansion of the nation, the need to ease travel and stimulate commerce became an important concern. Businessmen and government officials looked to mimic the canals of Europe as a solution. A backwater politician named DeWitt Clinton spearheaded a bold plan to cut a canal across New York State. The plan was masterminded by a collection of brilliant engineers and the construction of the longest canal in the world was begun. In a few short years, the waters of Tonawanda Creek were incorporated into the Erie Canal system and the area’s population quickly boomed. The canal, which opened in 1825, stretched across New York State bringing commerce and wealth to ports located on the waterway. Settlers traveling westward on overcrowded packet boats flooded Western New York, while other barges carried lumber and produce to large markets in the eastern part of the state. The Erie Canal also carried hundreds of European immigrants into Western New York. These settlers, mainly of German origin, searched for work in the mills and purchased tracts of land to farm. The area at the confluence of the Niagara River and Tonawanda Creek became synonymous with the lumber trade. Numerous ships carrying timber from nearby Grand Island, America’s midlands, and the wilds of Canada, docked at the local wharfs. More than one hundred businesses related to the lumber industry were located in the Tonawandas over the next 120 years, and the small port on the Niagara River was known as the greatest lumber port in the world. Eleven years after the opening of the Erie Canal, another technological innovation was introduced to the villages along this waterway. Gangs of Irish laborers laying iron rails worked their way to the area. A short time later, the chugging steam locomotives of the new industrial age began to transform the economic and transportation infrastructure of the fledgling settlements. Despite the coming of the railroad, the presence of sweating draft animals pulling barges on the canal continued for another fifty years. Soon after the arrival of the railroad, steam-powered machinery began to alter the lumber industry. Sooty clouds of black smoke dirtied the skies and massive piles of machine-processed lumber dominated the landscape. By the autumn of 1861, it was evident the industrial output of the villages huddled against the banks of Tonawanda Creek would be utilized in the war effort against the southern states. Early in the war, local civic leader Lewis S. Payne received permission from the government to raise a company of soldiers for the 100th New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Board of Trade Regiment”. The unit was organized by the Buffalo Board of Trade, a civic organization that fostered goodwill between merchants in the big port city. The regiment marched off to war in 1862, its ranks deluged with German immigrants. During the Civil War, casualties decimated the 100th Infantry Regiment and Payne was captured by rebel troops. Upon his return from the war, he found the villages that straddled the creek had separated and the community on the north side of the muddy waters had incorporated, naming itself North Tonawanda. The split meant more to the tax collector than the average citizen, and many continued to traverse the wood bridges to labor in the shops and mills located throughout the two towns now located in separate counties. Lumbering and brick-making industries dominated the economic scene until 1870 when the Niagara River Iron Company fired up its blast furnaces on the north side of the creek. The iron company was in need of many new workers and some of the first immigrants from Eastern Europe and Italy relocated to the Lumber City. These unskilled settlers, who had suffered from chronic poverty and oppression in Russia, Sicily, and southern Italy, took on the lowest paying jobs and lived in shacks constructed from discarded wood and packing crates. The new immigrants clustered together on undeveloped parcels of land and found mutual support in a society that did not understand or accept their languages, customs, and superstitions. “The Ku Klux Klan was big in North Tonawanda in the old days,” said Ganson Street resident Patrick DePaolo. “Every bridge leading into the city had a sign on it that said, ‘No Coloreds’. They [the Klan] weren’t fond of Italians either, they called us dagos, wops, and garlic eaters and the Italians suffered a lot of abuse. That’s how the immigrant neighborhoods formed. The Italians had their own church, school, and stores. Everybody knew everybody else in the neighborhood and they looked out for each other.” Outsiders looked upon the Italians with scorn. The immigrants, especially from southern Italy and Sicily, were very superstitious. Pierced ears were common, even with infants, in the belief that gold near the eyes produced keen eyesight. Bewitching by means of a sordid glance, known as, Malocchio, or “the evil eye”, was greatly feared and a ritual involving olive oil and cold water could only lift the curse. There was also the superstition that mentioning Satan after midnight would bring one face-to-face with the evil devil. The custom of leaving food on the dinner table on November 2, or All Souls Day, in the belief that dead relatives would return to the family was alien to those who were not accustomed to the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. At the turn of the twentieth century, North Tonawanda had been incorporated as a city and industrial based businesses were booming. By this time, nearly one million Italian immigrants had also entered the country and settled mainly in large cities on the East Coast. Seeking to escape city slums and overcrowded tenement houses, many Italians boarded canal boats and worked their way into Central and Western New York seeking employment in port towns located on the vast highway of water. The Tonawandas, with its large industrial base, became an important destination for immigrants searching for work and the “American Dream”. Menial jobs were readily found in factories that produced lumber, bricks, and textiles. Employment could also be obtained in other local companies that manufactured musical instruments, automobiles, carousels, and even chocolate. The Twin Cities were old industrial towns known for manufacturing many products including lumber, iron, steel, paper, textile, musical instruments, amusement rides, watercraft, and business and industrial machinery. Thousands of European immigrants labored in the shops and factories in their quest to fulfill the American dream. The ribbon of water that separates Tonawanda Island from the mainland is identified as the “Little River”, a channel for commercial shipping and a favorite swimming area for local boys. Shown in the foreground is Tonawanda Iron Corporation. The mills of the International Paper Company, located on the northern part of the island, are shown in the background. (Courtesy of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas) By 1910, the Buffalo Bolt Company set up a production facility on the northern reaches of Oliver Street, and wooden boats were sliding down the ways at the Richardson Boat Company on Sweeney Street. Numerous other subsidiary businesses, such as bakeries, taverns, grocers, and retail stores, employed hundreds of others by the onset of the Great War in 1914. The welfare of the citizens was also cared for with the construction of a library with funds donated by wealthy industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and the building of a hospital under the direction of LeGrand S. DeGraff. The influx of immigrants led to a boom of house construction in both cities. New streets were surveyed and cleared of brush, as rows of simple wood-frame structures rapidly appeared on the dirt byways. Streets named for early settlers or the social prominent were developed a few short blocks from the industrial hub located near the waterfront. The small homes, often constructed by the immigrants themselves, were erected on new streets named Tremont, Bryant, Lincoln, Geneva, and Ganson. Ganson Street was named for Kate Ganson, a socialite who had married local businessman James Sweeney. The first house was built on Ganson Street in 1876 and over the next forty years other lots on the street were sold and developed. The humble street of twenty-eight wood-frame structures became home to many laborers who toiled in local shops and factories. Men like Toni Carere, Michael Belviso, Anthony DePaolo, Peter Malone, Toni Stefanucci, and Anthony Versaci skimped and saved for years to purchase a lot and build a house. After the Armistice in 1918 ending World War I, the growing industrial base in the Tonawandas needed more workers, and streams of immigrants came from Europe. Germans escaping the economic calamity in their homeland found employment and camaraderie in Gratwick, an immigrant community in the northern environs of North Tonawanda named for William H. Gratwick, a nineteenth century lumber baron... Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 https://nthistory.com/files/original/165b8a0c6b3d788e69aa2f36fd0bbeb6.png 042cd92f80612e899a0432c5284b8d62 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource That Ironton disaster, article (Niagara Gazette, 1874-10-21).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1874-10-21 https://nthistory.com/files/original/1ed6a7d08bdc08e906ee418715e2d6f2.png 35a6cd6cb64466dff4670f23ca8b2e8c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pig iron, ad (Buffalo Courier, 1874-07-14.png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1874-07-14 https://nthistory.com/files/original/06a84d3e0624d3a7c4663f45486188c8.png 04521d84e466c097d468d46fd69dbd57 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara River Iron Co. dissolved, article (Niagara Gazette, 1884-01-29).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1884-01-29 https://nthistory.com/files/original/613e0be72b8d9bc6ddce728b82c4ad3a.png 4a28e2958b712d4407aa96fca40adff3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Materials moved to Buffalo, article (Niagara Gazette, 1879-08-27).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1879-08-27 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ca4c30577feb04c48ceb3bafb4210b5d.png 0911d4dad3ee3227f4b5c5d670886b30 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iron Works to be sold at auction, article (Niagara Gazette, 1879-04-23).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1879-04-23 https://nthistory.com/files/original/236331f39446962ee9cf1e23a6a5c0ac.png eee5421a16edb6b329485ad23edd8fa3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource An Iron Works Boom, article (Buffalo News, 1888-12-30).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1888-12-30 https://nthistory.com/files/original/35726f40b18f48a19810e291936f480c.png 0d033e16d443475caae97971c6e0b2ad Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara River Iron Corporation, map detail (1876).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1876 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/630a50f81806242bf57f8ab41165f930.png 528e2fef14526d9f5f32fd1e5e3c3028 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tonawanda Iron and Steel (Niagara River Iron Company) Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="Tonawanda Iron and Steel, illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/16.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. For a century, a massive riverfront iron works dominates the skyline of North Tonawanda near Wheatfield Street and present-day Fisherman's Park. The furnaces cast a ruddy glow over the west, and power the birth of the village of "Ironton," later known as "The Avenues." From <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/2891">History of Niagara County (1878)</a>: <blockquote>The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high. The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels. Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres. The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.</blockquote> Pascal P. Pratt, a "hardware man" from Buffalo, is president and principal stockholder.  <blockquote>Mr. [Pascal P.] Pratt also helped to organize the Niagara River Iron Company in 1872. That company operated a blast furnace in North Tonawanda capable of turning out fifty tons of pig iron daily. Pascal Pratt was President of the firm, and among the other principals was S. S. Jewett. This company was later succeeded by the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company, with William A. Rogers as President.</blockquote> <blockquote>- <a href="https://www.olmstedinbuffalo.com/pascal-p-pratt/#:~:text=city%20of%20Buffalo.-,Mr.,and%20the%20Bank%20of%20Attica.">Olmsted in Buffalo</a></blockquote> By 1875, in the midst of a general depression in the iron industry, the works are stopped, and lie dormant for years, possibly the next 14. In January 1889 it is reported that the Baird Bros. of Ohio will buy the plant and resume operations. It will require about $50K. 30 workers are expected in March. Ore begins arriving in great quantities in June, and on August 28 the furnace roars again. 100 men work the facility, day and night. The production of 100 tons of iron and steel a day is planned. <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofb00buff">Seemingly owned</a> at one point by "Rogers, Brown and Company, one of the largest iron companies in the country." The iron plant draws workers to the area, many Hungarian and Polish, who settle in a village called "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/83">Ironton</a>," just north of North Tonawanda proper. Frank Burkett Baird (b.1852 d.11/15/1939) organizes the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co, in 1899. (Baird's singular accomplishment is as "Father of the Peace Bridge" - <a href="https://buffaloah.com/h/panam/forestL.html">Buffalo Architecture & History</a>). The new venture is a success, and expanding. President Rogers. New "monster" engine in June 1896. President McKinley fires up its mighty Furnace B with great ceremony and the flip of a switch from his home in Ohio in November 1896.  Somewhere around 1912 poor management and a poor economy stop the furnaces again. The plant lies unused until purchased by Tonawanda Iron Corp. in 1922. Gilmore. By 2017, the site has been cleared and converted into a small medical park and Fisherman's Park. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Tonawanda Iron Corp., Is One of Largest Manufacturers of Pig Iron." Tonawanda News, 1929 (in this collection). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Niagara River Iron Corporation, map detail (1875).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1875 map https://nthistory.com/files/original/2580f1961f6050912516b52c56997be7.JPG 68fceabcefd3d9894d10a135638a2cfc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gilmore School (Public School No. 7) Description An account of the resource Calls have been made for over a decade for a new school to serve the city's Ironton district before Public School No. 7 opens in 1926. It is not named "Gilmore" school right away; as late as 1933 it is known only by its number, or "the new Ironton school." When the school reopens for 1932, it is filled to capacity. Principal Kenneth G. McLean says the sixth grade will temporarily have to use Ironton School No. 2 as a result. The school is enlarged in 1957. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joseph E. Gilmore and others (Georges at 18 Marion and a Joseph at 282 Payne, City Directory 1905-1906).JPG Description An account of the resource Joseph E. Gilmore is with Iron and Steel Works as early as 1896. On Board of Health in 1915. Joseph E. Gilmore of TI & S holds first public office as Board of Health, one of "one of North Tonawanda's best known citizens"  (12/31/14) Wife dies days after giving birth to twins, daughter dies before at 20. Residences: 305 Wheatfield, 248 Payne. More Gilmores: <pre>Gilmore, Anna B. July 1969 Gilmore, Charles January 8, 1923 Ton. News [missing?] Gilmore, David Bruce Died July 16, 1976 Gilmore, Dudley W. Died November 6, 1944 Ton. News 11/6/44 pg. 1 Gilmore, George W. Died February 2, 1956 Ton. News 2/2/56 pg. 1 Elmlawn Gilmore, Glen B. Died October 25, 1985 Ton. News 10/28/85 Gilmore, Grace March 20, 1922 Ton. News Gilmore, H.L. Died December 30, 1906 Ton. News 12/31/06 pg. 4 Gilmore, Harry d. Jan. 18, 1957 age 65 Ton.News 1-19-1957 p.1 Miami, FL Gilmore, Isaac T. Died February 17, 1933 Ton. News 2/17/33 Gilmore, Jean D. (nee Weber) d.Feb.18, 2008 Ton.News 2-20-2008 Acacia Park Gilmore, John Gibson Died June 20, 1990 Ton. News 6/22/90 Bear Ridge Cem. Gilmore, John Wakefield Died January 7, 1952 Ton. News 1/8/52 pg. 5 Acacia Park Gilmore, Joseph E. Died March 29, 1948 Ton. News 3/30/48 pg. 1 Gilmore, Lena Died July 18, 1946 Ton. News 7/19/46 pg. 4 Gilmore, Marie A. Died June 28, 1924 Ton. News 6/30/24 pg. 1 7/01/24 pg. 4 Forest Lawn Gilmore, Martha C. July 18, 1921 Ton. News Gilmore, Mrs. Daisy L. Died April 13, 1935 Ton. News 4/13/35 Gilmore, Nellie April 22, 1920 Ton. News Gilmore, Ralph F. Died April 3, 1962 4/3/62 Bear Ridge Cem. Gilmore, Rits A. (nee Miller) d. July 16, 2009 Ton.News 7-18-2009 Elmlawn Cem. Gilmore, Robert Died April 24, 1926 Ton. News 4/26/26 pg. 3 Forest Lawn Gilmore, Rosetta (Marjorie) Died December 31, 1989 Ton. News 1/1/90 Bear Ridge Cem.</pre> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1906 https://nthistory.com/files/original/ef59250d6513a866a5651fc328738ba6.jpg 025e04ba99e55544161910bb6dfc7e19 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gilmore School (Public School No. 7) Description An account of the resource Calls have been made for over a decade for a new school to serve the city's Ironton district before Public School No. 7 opens in 1926. It is not named "Gilmore" school right away; as late as 1933 it is known only by its number, or "the new Ironton school." When the school reopens for 1932, it is filled to capacity. Principal Kenneth G. McLean says the sixth grade will temporarily have to use Ironton School No. 2 as a result. The school is enlarged in 1957. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Gillmore" or "Gilmore" first appearances in city records (1891).jpg Description An account of the resource 1891: "Gillmore" on <a href="https://nthistory.com/items/show/4872">Ironton subdivision plat map</a> 1905: Tax sale Common Council. 1907, 1914, "Gillmore" Ave  1909: "Gilmore" in city directory 1938: School mentioned as "Gillmore" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1905 https://nthistory.com/files/original/b1283c9f1073b03789802ad0cb57056d.png df9b6fae67b16fa7a471a3d771733a85 https://nthistory.com/files/original/4cbc926db971e7b6eb2401adb8e2f063.jpg a8646d860eaba49e6bc238bf5a24abc5 https://nthistory.com/files/original/da6c5a231d157d16e3f78ebd3165855b.jpg 99be17a6d03cb421d948a9c3b5c0422d https://nthistory.com/files/original/c4033e0d74e2a2e2023c9636df60d7d0.png 048f99ade5a83105ff8bf8be37dd105c https://nthistory.com/files/original/2c5d045924f06fefd05a13a864673f79.png 8f2827d02244bcf545773f253ffe1de8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 412 Diner (Soup Lady), 412 Oliver Street Description An account of the resource <img class="cover" alt="412 Diner Soup Lady illustration" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/160.jpg" />Illustration: Dennis Reed Jr., 2025. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Soup Lady photos (Dennis Reed Jr., 2025-12-23).png Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025-12-23 Description An account of the resource Exterior photos AI-enhanced. ai restaurant https://nthistory.com/files/original/baabc4e66c17e5d924b29f90e8997e50.jpg 1ff9b7c5f2d0bfeddbdbfb5cfe0f0cf4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School Description An account of the resource The first schoolhouse in the village of Gratwick is a one-room frame building put up by the education-minded Germans in 1885 (Crosbie). Built in 1892, Public School Number 4 opens at Payne and Stenzil in 1894. It is enlarged in 1924, and at least once thereafter. In area known as <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Superintendent_of_Public_I/h0A_AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wheatfield%20niagara%20school&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover">Kohl's Woods</a>? Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School wins trophy for county bicycle safety campaign, photos (1948-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1948-04 gratwick person school https://nthistory.com/files/original/175ecf432eeedf59d5cb39c55f4913da.jpg 0bd68b2cd692a5645a8e6c4d50002161 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School Description An account of the resource The first schoolhouse in the village of Gratwick is a one-room frame building put up by the education-minded Germans in 1885 (Crosbie). Built in 1892, Public School Number 4 opens at Payne and Stenzil in 1894. It is enlarged in 1924, and at least once thereafter. In area known as <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Superintendent_of_Public_I/h0A_AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wheatfield%20niagara%20school&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover">Kohl's Woods</a>? Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School History, faculty (1906).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1906 gratwick https://nthistory.com/files/original/3f393a521a21770f11989ea8835dd518.jpg 70c79944fff2abe2bb9078dd6d05228d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School Description An account of the resource The first schoolhouse in the village of Gratwick is a one-room frame building put up by the education-minded Germans in 1885 (Crosbie). Built in 1892, Public School Number 4 opens at Payne and Stenzil in 1894. It is enlarged in 1924, and at least once thereafter. In area known as <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Superintendent_of_Public_I/h0A_AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wheatfield%20niagara%20school&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover">Kohl's Woods</a>? Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School elms getting a haircut, photo article (1949-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1949-04 gratwick person school https://nthistory.com/files/original/06f4433bf04c93780b0eeeef104ff88c.jpg adfe1328f03fd964e3beeef7099d2857 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School Description An account of the resource The first schoolhouse in the village of Gratwick is a one-room frame building put up by the education-minded Germans in 1885 (Crosbie). Built in 1892, Public School Number 4 opens at Payne and Stenzil in 1894. It is enlarged in 1924, and at least once thereafter. In area known as <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Superintendent_of_Public_I/h0A_AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wheatfield%20niagara%20school&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover">Kohl's Woods</a>? Photo A photographic depiction of a person or place. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School county bicycle safety campaign, photos (1948-04).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1948-04 gratwick person school https://nthistory.com/files/original/aeb7e050b8f4d573fac9fe2d2c2f7b60.jpg a49478fc881a5fe4291e2e652ac770ce Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick School Description An account of the resource The first schoolhouse in the village of Gratwick is a one-room frame building put up by the education-minded Germans in 1885 (Crosbie). Built in 1892, Public School Number 4 opens at Payne and Stenzil in 1894. It is enlarged in 1924, and at least once thereafter. In area known as <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Superintendent_of_Public_I/h0A_AAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=wheatfield%20niagara%20school&pg=PA144&printsec=frontcover">Kohl's Woods</a>? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Gratwick PTA program (1935).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1935 https://nthistory.com/files/original/59eca3800c27b21f9276a2581302236f.jpg 5e19e4c19f738de477bb71ee783b2399 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Projected improvements at Tonawanda, Cleveland and Albany investors, article (Rochester Republican, 1848-12-07).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1848-12-07 https://nthistory.com/files/original/d4ef5a4e5e2d45e9fe5501610d236c18.jpg 1cd18c58cd00770ce601cbacd4977b56 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letting of the locks, article (Republic, 1847-07-16).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1847-07-16 https://nthistory.com/files/original/c2210be3a3173390d73549f4472cdb57.jpg 609aba2f015c8ba11157bdc1db5e1730 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Another project for a new commercial city, Cleveland and Albany forwarders, article (Schenectady Reflector via Express, 1848-12-22).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1848-12-22 https://nthistory.com/files/original/899a5acc5e6bd4da3eedf4548c66a32d.jpg af15609fc2ecf4e0f16f6089b6814fcf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Early Accounts of the Tonawandas Description An account of the resource These book excerpts and articles describe the earliest days of the white settlers in the Tonawandas, as well as the nearby villages of Martinsville, Sawyer's Station, Gratwick and Ironton (incorporated into the city of North Tonawanda in 1897). Article Text appearing in a newspaper. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Affairs at Tonawanda, Hinds enlarging canal to furnish elevator basin, article (Buffalo Daily Republic, 1849-05-25).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1849-05-25 https://nthistory.com/files/original/28f251f978736184b98b83d2306e7c09.jpg 085282de1c39b7260a1ebc2424932148 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bennett Lumber Company Description An account of the resource Island and Main Streets. <blockquote>Bennett began his lumber business at Main and Island Streets as Hoadley and Bennett in 1902, eventually expanding to 190 Oliver Street, the former W. G. Palmer Lumber Co. facilities.85 In addition to lumber, the Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. also sold prefabricated mail order ‘kit homes,’ known as Bennett Redi-Bilt Homes. - <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2172">Sweeney Estate Historical Survey (2019)</a></blockquote> Letters and Letterhead Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. Inc. Invoice (1921).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1921 https://nthistory.com/files/original/dc5a49aca76c01e9482b0ac9b9f9655f.jpg a406e13b3ba0249ea411fa29e04a01aa Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bennett Lumber Company Description An account of the resource Island and Main Streets. <blockquote>Bennett began his lumber business at Main and Island Streets as Hoadley and Bennett in 1902, eventually expanding to 190 Oliver Street, the former W. G. Palmer Lumber Co. facilities.85 In addition to lumber, the Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. also sold prefabricated mail order ‘kit homes,’ known as Bennett Redi-Bilt Homes. - <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2172">Sweeney Estate Historical Survey (2019)</a></blockquote> Letters and Letterhead Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co., letter (1921).jpg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1921