Looking back to the year 1881, that was when the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Crary Post #87 — named for Captain Charles Crary — was organized as a Fraternal Organization for the Veterans of the Civil War. Officers included H.P. Spaulding, Commander; John P. Myers, Senior Vice Commander; James Oswald, Junior Vice Commander; E.L. Hoopes, Quartermaster; George Barker, ... Read More »
Looking back in the old local newspapers that we have here at the Lucy Bensley Research Center, and online through newspapers.com, you can see where after the Civil War and over the next 50 years became known as the “Golden Age of Fraternalism.” The Odd Fellows became the largest among all Fraternal organizations and by 1889 the I.O.O.F. had a ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Looking back to when all of our wishes and whims could be found within the pages of a Sears and Roebuck catalog. Everything from a new camera, to a grand piano, to medical supplies, to hammerless revolvers, to traveling bags to a six-hole steel range stove, to monuments for your loved ones in the graveyard — you ... Read More »
Looking back to the ladies who were on the home front during the conflicts we have had, what did they do to help the soldiers? As far back as the Civil War, we see where ladies helped to raise money for the war effort. They organized raffles and fairs and used the money to help pay for war supplies. They ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Did you know that before cemeteries were established, family was buried in a small family plot, or near the house? With so many causes of death from drowning in the creek, or a mill pond, to having a tree or limbs falling on them to lighting striking the person, cattle or horses injuring them, and of ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Looking back to the occupations of the undertaker, and in one in particular for our area was A L Pingrey, who ran a furniture and undertaking business starting in 1892. Now you may ask, why furniture? Well, think about it. The undertaker usually made the casket. To make the casket, they would use six boards, and one ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Who remembers Guy K Protector? Well, he was a famous race horse owned by the Dewey Dygert family from Springville. He got his name from a comprised combination of his owners names of Dr. Guy Kane and the colt’s sire, Protector. Guy K Protector traveled the country and into Canada, breaking racing records and making headlines. When ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Every town as it was formed had certain trades that would be established. A church or two, schools, a general store for your dry food, canned goods, sewing items, clothes and more, maybe a newspaper office and a furniture/funeral store. Why did the same person usually run the furniture and funeral business? Because building caskets used the ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Do you ever wonder about where some of the buildings and businesses were located in Springville? Well, I am going to give you a history of the Concord Mercantile property, located on Franklin Street. Originally, Rufus Eaton purchased it in 1810 and a map from 1818 shows a distillery located there. What else has been there? Well, ... Read More »
By Jolene Hawkins Looking back to one of the great stores that we had in Springville, many will remember the Simon Brothers Clothing store. Who shopped there for back to school clothes and shoes? Or for a wedding? A special event? Well, let’s learn how it all started with a dream of two young boys, barely into their teens, who ... Read More »
Springville Times, News, Entertainment, Events, skiing, golf, mountain biking Springville News is what we know, Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville and Surrounding Communities in Cattaraugus County
