150 YearsMay 29, 1873: The exercises connected with the laying of the cornerstone of the new M.E. church at Salamanca, passed off pleasantly Tuesday afternoon (May 27). A large number of people were present; addresses were made by Rev. R.A. Caruthers, P.E., and Rev. Mr. Riley. The Little Valley Cornet Band entertained the occasion with excellent instrumental music, and the choir furnished some very appropriate vocal music.
May 29, 1873: SALAMANCA NEWS — Paxson’s new hardware store is nearly completed. It is certainly the finest building in town, and will compare favorably with business houses in other places. J.G. Fitts has commenced a similar building on the lot adjoining. Hudson Ansley is just putting the finishing touches on his own dwelling, which is the best in town, and W.G. Hevenor, one of our most enterprising young men, is putting up a house which is to “take the shine off” of anything in this section.
100 YearsMay 26, 1923: Six crates of homing pigeons arrived in Salamanca, from Rochester, last evening, by American Railway Express, and were released this morning at 10 o’clock. A large number of people gathered near the Erie station to watch the pigeons start homeward bound. The birds circled above the station a number of times, until they got their bearing, and then took a northeast course.
May 28, 1923: (SALAMANCA —) Stewart Gillette, 14-year-old boy who disappeared from his home on Elm street Monday, May 14, was picked up by police in Olean at 1.45 o’clock Sunday morning (May 27) according to word sent to police here. Sheriff Annis is to take charge of the boy, it was said this morning, and will have him examined to determine his mental condition, following which, if it is possible, he will be committed to some hospital for treatment. The boy has run away from his home here four times in the course of a few weeks.
50 YearsMay 29, 1973: ELLICOTTVILLE — Restored after a devastating 1969 fire, the historic 143-year-old Ellicottville courthouse and town hall was rededicated Sunday (May 28) as a “link with our heritage.”
County Legislature Chairman Harold Dewey presented a plaque commemorating both the dedication and rededication and a presentation was made to Mrs. Annamae Rowits, whose husband, the late Fred A. Rowits, played a key part in the restoration as a member of the town council.
May 31, 1973: JIMERSONTOWN — The Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians approved a revision on master site development of the recreational-cultural project Iroquoia at a special meeting Tuesday night (May 29).
Approval by the council of the planned $6 million project, which will be located at the Quaker Bridge interchange of the Southern Tier Expressway, paves the way for Seneca Nation expenditures of about $2.5 million for phase 1 and 2 of the project.
25 YearsMay 26, 1998: SALAMANCA — A local woman has been appointed as the new manager of the Seneca Iroquois National Museum on Broad Street.
The museum’s board of directors announced last week that Michelle “Midge” Dean Stock was appointed to replace Judith Greene. Stock, of Humphrey Road in Great Valley, grew up on the Allegany Indian Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation.
May 27, 1998: SALAMANCA — The city’s only third-generation firefighter has retired after over three decades of service.
Assistant Chief Harry J. Ames retired earlier this month after 33 years. Ames began his career on April 5, 1965.
Fire Chief Barney Lee said of Ames, “In leaving, it has come to our attention that not only have we lost Chief Ames but also we have lost a family with tradition.”
May 27, 1998: SALAMANCA — A new roadway is in progress on the city’s south side.
An access road, running from South Avenue to the Jefferson Resource Center is in the works, stemming from plans to build a new youth and community center on vacant land behind the former school building.
The center, which will include a gymnasium, computer room and conference room, is slated to be built with $400,000 in funds from the 1996 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.
10 YearsMay 30, 2013: SALAMANCA — Members of the Salamanca Common Council will take over the reins of the 2013 Falling Leaves Festival and keep the festival in the city this autumn.
Salamanca Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella’s announcement came following a 90-minute open forum with more than 60 residents who first heard a plan by chamber officials to move the festival to Allegany State Park.
The overwhelming majority of those who spoke at the meeting were against the festival’s move, including all members of the Common Council. The chamber announced in early May the Falling Leaves Festival would be moved to Allegany State Park.
May 30, 2013: “We who live must never forget the fallen” was a common theme among addresses made Monday during Memorial Day ceremonies at Vet’s Park in Salamanca.
Flowers, flags and ceremonies can never repay the debt we owe to those brave men and women who fought to uphold our ideals and our freedom.
Speakers included: Chaplain Tim Griffith, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Salamanca, Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella, Legion Auxiliary President Sue Williams, Commander Danny Williams of John F. Ahren VFW Post 5296 and Commander Dennis Burger of the Hughes-Skiba Post 535 American Legion.
