Step Back in Time features community news from The Daily Star 25 and/or 50 years ago.
25 years ago
Aug. 19, 1983
About 300 railroad buffs will roll into town Saturday riding aboard the first Amtrak train ever to travel Oneonta's tracks.
The train will be filled with members of the Mohawk and Hudson Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, who will be met at the former Oneonta depot on Market Street by members of the area's Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society.
"It's been a long time since there's been any passenger trains around here," said Bruce Hodges, secretary-treasurer of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society.
"It's also the first time any Amtrak equipment has been in Oneonta," he said, adding the train's arrival will be a big event for local railroading fans.
Hodges said the reason for the excursions is just to provide an opportunity for railroad fans to get a ride on the train and to become acquainted with the areas along the route.
Owners of the depot, which now houses offices for Oneonta Oil and Fuel and the Greater Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, as well as D&H officials have been sprucing up the building and surrounding grounds in preparation for the event.
The Leatherstocking Chapter also is in the process of creating a replica of the original Oneonta depot sign that used to hang outside the building when the city was bustling, with passenger train travel.
50 years ago
Aug. 19, 1953
COOPERSTOWN _ A "Safe Driving Rodeo," sponsored by the Cooperstown Youth Center in cooperation with local auto dealers and service stations is slated to begin at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, on the Doubleday Field parking lot.
Youth Center Director Robert Willis listed as eligible all junior drivers, boys and girls. The event is promoted as a part of the weeklong observance of "Youth Week" in Cooperstown, an event which became a reality after a proclamation last week by Mayor Alva C. Welch.
Features include parallel parking and a demonstration of control and judgment, plus ability in maneuvering. A written test, aimed at exploiting the contestants knowledge of road regulations, plus their understanding of the new rules of the road recently put into effect, is another part of the competition.
The autos they will use have been loaned for the event through the courtesy and cooperation of four local car agencies. Cooperating are Burns Auto and Supply; Smith-Cooperstown; Charles A. Wick Inc., and Welch Chevrolet. Prizes for the winners and top demonstrators are to be provided by local service stations. To date four have indicated their willingness to assist. They are according to Mr. Willis, Jose Gill, Atlantic; Robinson's, Texaco; Les Crain, Gulf and Peaslee's Mobil station.
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