History Column
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35 Years Ago – October 1973
The Village of Richfield Springs dedicated its new tertiary sewerage disposal plant on Saturday, September 29. The ceremony opened with the presentation of an American flag, the gift of Miss Marian Bezold, in memory of her father, the late Arthur Bezold, village water commissioner in the 1950s. A green ecology flag presented by the NYS Department of Conservation was also presented and raised. The Richfield Springs high school band played the National Anthem as flags were raised by scouts from Troop 14. The Rev. Thomas Brereton, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, gave the invocation and the Rev. Gerald Boyer the benediction. The project was described as the “largest capital investment in the history of the village.
40 Years Ago – October 1968
A girls’ drill team is being formed at the Richfield Springs Central School. Alfred Jennings, who has acted as drillmaster for the successful, prize-winning girls’ drill team at Edmeston Central School, has taken the job of coaching the recruits at R.S.C.S. He is also drilling a similar team at West Winfield. A call for volunteers for the drill team brought out 60 high school girls. Of this number, 20 were selected to make up the team of 17 and substitutes. The team is sponsored for the school by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their auxiliaries. Drills are held in the school gymnasium.
50 Years Ago – October 1958
The historic old grist mill, one of the oldest landmarks in the Town of Warren, built more than 160 years ago about a mile north of the village of Richfield Springs, was burned to the ground last week. The mill was being torn down by state highway crews to clear a right-of-way to straighten the dangerous curve at Montgomery’s Crossing on Route 167, when sparks from a nearby bonfire were blown into the tinder dry frame and a roaring blaze completed their job. The mill was the last of three flourishing industries that stood at this site many years ago. It was in this neighborhood about 1776, that Isaac Freeman, a Revolutionary soldier from New Jersey, came to establish a home. The grist mill stood nearest the road and is reported to have had one of the largest water wheels in the state. It was still in the building when it was destroyed by fire.
60 Years Ago – October 1948
As a project in its planned work of restoring historic spots and objects in this area, Ganowauges Chapter, D.A.R., will assist in the rehabilitation of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Richfield (Monticello), which will be 150 years old next year and which has become an object of attention since the publication of an article in a recent issue of the Mercury. To raise the initial funds for this project, the chapter has decided to conduct a food sale at the American Store on Saturday, October 23 with Mrs. William C. Palmer as chair of the committee.
75 Years Ago – October 1933
High School Notes – School is closed today and tomorrow for Columbus Day. The first quarterly tests are scheduled for November 2nd and 3rd. These tests will cover the first quarter’s work. Pupils failing to pass these tests, who are taking more than four subjects, may be required to rearrange their schedules. A profit of $3 was made by the senior class on their Harvest Dance which was held last Saturday evening. The dance was well supported by the members of the senior class but very few young people of the surrounding territory were present. It is doubtful if the seniors will feel inclined to put on another dance in the near future. George Goodale has returned from Montana and other places where he has been with the C.C.C. He has many interesting stories to tell of his experiences while away.
100 Years Ago – October 1908
The most discussed play in the entire world today is Franz Milnar’s epoch-creating Hungarian comedy “The Devil.” To say that the play has created a sensation is to fall far short of the truth. It has caused a veritable furor in every city where it has been seen. It is therefore a matter of felicitation among local theatergoers that this daring psychological and intensely dramatic play is presented at Richfield Springs.
Resources for this column have been provided courtesy of the New York State Historical Association Library.
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