Published: June 25, 2009 07:47 am      

Step Back in Time

Step Back in Time features community news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.

25 years ago

June 25, 1984

Oneonta Chapter 200 of the Disabled American Veterans and its Auxiliary held their first installation dinner recently at the Oneonta Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Frank Percia, past department commander, installed the DAV officers: Elmer VanSteenburg, commander; Donald Hunt, senior vice commander; Martin Blenis, junior vice commander; Jerry Shannon, treasurer; Michael Kruh, chaplain; John Hawver, adjutant; Norman Payne, judge advocate; and Ralph Stimpson, officer of the day.

The unit charter was presented to the Auxiliary by Stella Gnatek, commander of the Department of New York. Auxiliary officers installed by Dorothy Ransom, past department commander are: Betty McAdams, commander; Dorothy Quevado, senior vice commander and adjutant; Arlene Boice, junior vice commander; Florence Stimpson, treasurer; Leola Kruh, chaplain; Joan Thompson, conductress; and Janet Drake, sergeant at arms.

50 years ago

June 25, 1959

JEFFERSON _ Another landmark will soon disappear from the scene in Jefferson village, as work proceeds with demolition of the told Town Hall Building. Its passing, after 47 years of service, will mark the end of an era in local affairs.

Prior to 1911, Jefferson had many places of public meeting, but none owned by the town. The Fire District owned a lot at the corner of Park Avenue and Creamery Hill, across Park Avenue from the southwest corner of the village green, upon which stood the Hose Building, housing the village hose cart.

On April 15, 1911, an indenture was executed by Frederick L. Frazee, Norman O. Terpening and Joseph D. Clegg, as Fire Commissioners of the Jefferson Fire District, transferring the property to the Town of Jefferson.

The new building, known as the Town Hall and Opera House, was erected in 1911 by Mr. Harris at a contract price of $3,000.

From that time on the Hall became an active centre of community affairs, including home talent shows, plays, musicales, dances and later, Saturday night moves, hand cranked.

Now in 1959 it develops that the available quarters are no longer adequate for newer and more extensive fire fighting equipment. It was decided a new building is the only practical solution.