TOMPKINS
COUNTY
Navigating A Sea Oe Resources
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Title:
Remembering Ithaca,
Author:
Johnson, Jessamine Kelsey.
Call
LH 974.771
number:
Publisher:
Ithaca, NY
of
Ithaca
Assigned Branch:
Ithaca
Collection:
Local
Material type:
Book
Number
41
Note:
DeWitt Historical
Society
of
Tompkins County, 1971.,
Owner:
of pages:
:
1930-1970
Tompkins
-
-
Tompkins
County
County
Public
Library
Public Library (TCPL)
History (LH)
pages
The
History Center
in Tompkins
County,
who owns
copyright, gave TCPL permission to digitize this
October 2009.
ILil gitization
of
2009
this
material was made possible with a
grant
from the Park Foundation
the
book,
LH
974.771
Johnson, Jessamine Kelsey
Remembering Ithaca, 1930-1970
W
974.771
Johnson,
Jessamine
Kelsey
Remembering Ithaca, 1930-1970.
ISSUED TO
DATE
2$
Do
not
take
car
puftrafoBW"^
ITHACA, N. Y.
Lights
of
Home
Jessamine Johnson
1952
When I have
And
apace
to my home place,
rapture fills anew,
with
Each time her hills
They
far
come again
heart
My
wandered
rise above
return
to
view.
the lake's blue floor
Like battlements along the shore,
And deep within her gorges rift,
The
At
eve
To
Be-
roar of
the
twinkling lights
scatter
jewelling
Till
Each
diamonds far
all
ne'er a
glow
rushing waters lift.
the hills
king
more
appear
and
near;
around
richly
crowned.
that streams from nestled home
Gently beckons
all who
roam;
Within is warmth, and love, and rest.
Here lights of home are heav'n blest.
Remembering
Ithaca
1930-1970
By JESSAMINE KELSEY JOHNSON
1971
Published
by
the Author for
DeWITT HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TOMPKINS
COUNTY,
Incorporated
121 East Court
Street, Ithaca, New York
TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC
LIBRARY
STREET
312 NORTH CAYUGA
ITHACA, NEW YORK
14850
14850
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Contents
Lights
of
Home (a poem)
Frontispiece
Chapter
I
Cayuga's Waters
1
Chapter
II
Depression Days
4
Chapter
III
World War II Years
8
Chapter
IV
Chapter
V
Chapter
VI
Housing
Schools
and
and
18
Expansion
21
Health Services
Chapter VII
Cultural Centers
Chapter VIII
Religious Organizations
Chapter
The Game
IX
10
Changes in Midtown
of
and
Names
28
Parks
.
.
34
39
CHAPTER I
Cayuga's Waters
The
situation of
southern end of
Settled
by
Ithaca, below
Cayuga
Lake, is like
white men soon after
the Indian
out of
the longest
of
It has four
the
region
Creek running through the
its
own approach
through
deep
industries
canals
To
and past
of
the
taking
many
peaceful
add
lake northward,
drove
the head
the city
these
several of
and
the lake
practical
up to
a
dairy farms,
magnificent view
responses as
at
northern section of
creeks
they
the
after
truly
of
with
flow
their
catch sight of
among the
for early
northern
the
sur
unique situation.
south
from South Hill
deep below,
was used
purposes plus
approaching from the
newcomers
expedition
land.
fall in many cascades, they furnished
These
beauty
rounding natural
our
Inlet, besides Fall
the
transportation, especially
opened.
in
the
at
advantageous.
flowing into
to the lake. Since
gorges and
and
were
the Sullivan
in 1779, its location
for early settlers;
waterpower
no other place
the Finger Lakes is very
major streams
three hills
and around
through
Danby
unexpected glimpses
often
the
brings breath
long
stretch of
cliffs and wooded
the
hill
sides.
Though it does
ite,
or
the
have the
not
excitement
of
endearing loveliness that
throughout
has many
life,
seems
to linger
is here
change
the
you
at
lake,
of a Yosem-
captured an
and remain with one
or away.
its hillsides
Sometimes, looking
impact
Niagara Falls, it has
whether one
moods and
stupendous
For Cayuga Lake
from
think
season
you are
to
season.
seeing
an
entirely different lake than the
day previously, its
On
the
aspect changes so rapidly.
freshly-washed spring morning from the
a
rosy-tinted
sky
dawn
of
later in the morning the
reflected
in its
In contrast,
on a
gorges and
roaring
Then in
August,
red
laced
was
blue
shore,
branches,
with pine
clear cerulean
west
and
the sky
of
was
calm waters.
ing waters foretold
round,
same one you witnessed the
angry face
July day in 1935, the
a cloudburst which soon
of
its
seeth
descended, leaving
flooded lowlands.
the heat
ball making
fiery
a
down in
sent
the
sun
path across
the
surface of
the
of
day
a
the
lake.
When fall comes, the
with
glowing
For
azure
its
of
waters are
foliage lining the hillsides
autumn
several months
of
surface on
its face
northward
down the lake,
the
blue
the year,
a
winter casts
ice fringes the
and
all around.
thaw, floating ice
and after a
bordered
steel-grey
cakes move
shores all
along
way.
The loveliest
day of
all
the sky, changing the
to the
deep
is
when
colors of
purple under
the
Some days the lake is
soft,
lake
fluffy
and
shade of
hills from
the
and white channel markers at
in
float
across
cobalt
blue
white sailboats
and
clouds.
scattered with
assorted pleasure craft which cruise
clouds
and out
the entrance
between the
of
the
Inlet,
red
and
far down the lake.
In the spring the Cornell
ting the
legiate
regatta.
in boats
east
waters
in smooth,
When it
on shore.
At
shore, carrying
even
comes
one
a
crew often
time
load
of
has its
sculls out cut
rhythm, preparing for the col
to
a
town,
train
people crowd around
dispatched down
was
spectators
to
a good vantage
point.
But the lake is
sometimes
capped race of water
at
sundown,
treacherous
whipping
frustrating
across
with a
from
the best boatmen.
2
choppy,
side
white-
to side, even
Besides
furnishing
transportation before the days
automobile, Cayuga Lake
powered
(and
does)
still
the
is mostly
a pleasure center with a yacht club and
Stewart Park,
ily,
at
the
head,
is
picnic
popular with
very
refuge.
are
and a cement plant at
Myers. Now it
sur
many
marinas and parks.
rounding
bird
works,
in
several
dustries
salt
the
of
closest
float offshore, but
one
small
grounds,
Many barbecues
held here. At
to the city, has
and
rallies, both
time it had
water
and
zoo,
been
always
wild-
a
fam
political and
bathing beach with a
has now made bathing
pollution
a
impossbile.
Fortunately, however,
of
the
park
has
still
construction and
sez
been
traffic
Fuertes Preserve is
the bird sanctuary
preserved
noises
a
lagoon
of
the
used
handy
somed
a
into
shore of
boggy
a
fine
Here, too,
the
municipal golf course
ramp,
small
circuses and
railroad
planning
is
still
the
fry hold
then
these
old
of
the Louis Agaswatchers.
Creek,
and a
west side
footbridges,
dump, has
what
now
blos
extending to the
another
east
bog has
with a
a good-sized marina with service
house.
their little-league ballgames.
city
airport grounds are now used
County Fair. More land
acquired
ice-skating
rink
from the
is in the
stages.
all
these parks, along the
cottages and year-round
as
the closing in
Fall
Inlet, westward,
to be developed. An
Northward from
far
south side
the Inlet to become Cass Park
A little farther on, the
for
two
by
marsh and a garbage
by dredging
boat-launching
for bird
east side of
to them
the Inlet. Beyond the
been filled
place
it,
the
from it into Stewart Park. On the
opens
creek and connected
to be
spite of
surrounding
These two tracts border the
small
in
on
the
eye can
onward
homes dot the
see, only
where
the
shores of
both
shores on
cliffs rise
homes. Cayuga Lake is its
lake,
sides as
abruptly,
down the lake. Ithaca is the focal
activities and
the
and
point of all
drawing
card.
CHAPTER
Depression Days
When the depression days came, Ithaca
from their inroads. Although there
dences,
If
a
many
salary
drove to the farm
people
dollars-a-week
a
rented
thirteen-cent
"hand-me-downs"
sent
Families
produce,
where a
into
children and
on
the
jobs,
on
the
old
a
too,
wore
circumstances.
longer, lower
rate,
raised
and
expenses.
their
own
farmers"
sprung
of pleasure.
up.
People
living
on
could watch a circus
Fair Grounds
on
Meadow Street.
along Meadow to Wood Street
paraded
was opened
of
a casserole with
mother,
town
and
consisted
in better
the Six Mile Creek
Top"
hydrant
a
edges of
entirely devoid
south of
"Big
to
lapse;
twenty
on
odd
sometimes
some cousin
many "week-end
elephants were
delight
by
lived
favorite bonds disappeared into
lived
was not
Flats"
up its
The
who
and
But life
set
The
to
ex
(unpastuer-
milk
plus
meant
'up living
allowd
icehouse;
insurance
mortgage was refinanced
savings accounts or
"The
their
can of pink salmon made
crumbs and an egg.
The
and carried
the
days, it
scraping
were
Supper
two.
or
of
visible evi
get along.
in those
a week
immune
not
many
to
policies
unemployment
room
were not
"skimp"
ways
home; ice from
and eggs
bread
devious
and
Sometimes insurance
penses.
ized)
ten dollars
was cut
hardships
some
really had to
people
was
for watering them,
much
to the
of assembled children.
Then in August
came
the
County Fair
animals and produce exhibited
annually,
with all
kinds
some under
of
farm
tents
and
in
some
old
buildings later torn down. There
the
were
usual
sideshows and carrousel with music going on all afternoon and
evening,
One
and
the
summer
track
race
there
with various amusements or sports.
flash flood
came a sudden
time. People fled home in their cars, but the
filling
water
on
up their
hand to take them
the
zled all night and
next
the meadow,
and
all
alarm, the
It
a
in the marsh, but
in the
about
heard
neighborhood were
worst
disaster
gan on an
early
July
midnight all
the
before in
Soon the
tically
our
the
had lost two
later
cows
alligators and
recovered
the snake,
far
the
and
over
women
afterward
siren of
full
roof and
failed,
carrying
so
the
madly.
constant
until
be
by
The light
flashes,
till
blinding flashes
woke
deluge
never
the
water
out on a
overflowing their
stretch across
section of
dikes,
the
the city
to
was covered and
At 2
rush
Others tried to
they
to
a.m.
filling
the demonlike
four blasts
to their
cellars
and peo
to
save
start water-logged cars and
walked sometimes
smaller children
and
meadows until prac
chain works sounded off
ple still asleep were aroused
could.
continually
roaring
thunder, in
poured on and on.
the Morse
they
and
rains
town.
the flat
Yet it
1935! The
of
increasing
their beds to look
creeks were
all of
cellars.
often
residents gazed
their backs.
about
evening,
from the Inlet began to
what
nearby
the flood
was
without
rain on
people out of
many
up
was
let up, but it driz
fearful for many days
creeks were
too, increased
the pounding
seen
truck
no
setting foot in their backyards.
But the
ning,
if
they beheld! Pigs,
alligators were
no one
animals with
directions, bellowing in
various
carnival man
large blacksnake. The
as
what a sight
dripping from
that the
released
cloudburst
morning,
wandering in
water
was said
The
away.
out across
sheep
had to be
pens
Fair
during
friends'
or
thigh
deep in spots,
living on the
relatives'
hills.
By daylight the
storm
abated, and excepting for houses
set
5
M
I
low
the ground,
on
ready to
grown with peas
newly
Daylight
a
later
day
damage
most
of slime and mud
to
was
gardens
pick.
downtown Ithaca
showed
with a mass
Now the cleanup jobs
everything.
coating
in
cellars and
were plentiful.
The
aftermath
after a
the
Small
a constant
"Flood
was now
legislators
had
who
years
and useable
but for
through fine screening to
the talk
not
to do it.
So,
now we
For, if
one sold
his
house, it
This, too,
lowed
people
and
The
one on
the "Goose
was
once
real
thing!
our meadows safe
them
divided up their large
out
to
was at a
college people.
loss. Some
men
and remodelled old places as
Pasture"
now
a meadow where
to pasture their
old
hospital
South
the Fall Creek
Ezra Cornell
cows and geese
al
between Casca
on
North Aurora
floods. One
the
summer
hilltop
the hospital
it
poured out of
and
the downpour
above and ran
came so
by
a
larger
the farther
The hospital had to
infirmary
send
in hot food for the
and
dining
door, it looked like
the muddy
on
home
nearby
rapidly that it
down into the basement
through the kitchen
river, carrying pots and pans
the Cornell
was replaced
Quarry Street. This hospital, too, had its battle
of
the
the
Fall Creek.
overflowed
sent
have
people
usually
into business for themselves
area.
with
and seen
what?
apartments and rented
family did in
dilla
the town. How to influ
gone!
homes into
one
of
been here
As the depression waned, many
went
make
Used carlots, supermarkets, motels
What price progress! At least, the mosquitos
places.
eating
have
throughout
pestered
battle for weary folks.
control"
It took thirty
and
they
operation
ones crawled
Even
a plague of mosquitos!
course,
thorough spraying
night.
ence
of
was,
on
rest until
all
As
a veritable
waters.
"near-able"
patients,
East State Street
the cleanup job
following day. Volunteers deserved
6
room.
credit
and
cooked and
was executed
for their prompt
services
that
day as
not one patient was allowed
to
suffer
from
the incident.
Women had little opportunity before the war to work out
side the home. Then they were well occupied with canning in
the
old
hold
Mason jars
of so as
a woman
had
it through
rated)
,
to
a
then
get
cut
all
the
the
up
family
in lard
and
and no
was a
on
the
old
treadle
occupation which might
had learned
the
(usually
it,
the floor
catastrophy that
put
evapo
the crust, if
whole on
lay
When
winter.
hard pumpkin, boiled
and rolled out
drop
could
she
while
resulted
in
dessert.
But sewing
home
flour
and
the way to the oven, it
tears
long
added eggs and milk
had the ill fortune to slip
on
fruits they
through the
and peeled a
collander,
cut
vegetables and
at
machine was
nearly the only
be remunerative,
the Home Bureau.
and
this
she
CHAPTER HI
World War II Years
Ithaca
sent
its
new war started
things
on
quota of
to the front
men
young
in the early 40's. But
Gardens"
were planted
cluding the Bergholtz Tract
on
all
spent
driving
around since gasoline was rationed.
their
to
Classes"
they had
use of what
make a
learn how to
use
Grandparents
needed
sing
on
The
band,
wedding
order
worst
was
for the
that
might achieve
the
had to
that took
a
of a cake.
service as
housing facilities
for families
men and
Kate Smith
other
lucky
keep
came
enough
the
Many
8
a
lost
No
and even
to town to
son or
hus
one could get
then only
to have
pipes
of wood
chunks
same result.
than
mid-winter.
dealer,
you were
large
and
in
coal range you might
you could get
you
up interest.
coal shortage
time. If
set
the best
you
and
of
duty.
happened,
own
bride
sugar,
"flop"
make
balanced diet. If
a war
service
overseas
and stir
through his
amount at a
kitchen
thing
into
of
held
a
place of
avert a
wives
rallies were
the
to
for
cake
the Red Cross
how to
people
providing
were pressed
State Street
coal except
if
while
husbands left for
War bond
to teach
land, in
hoeing instead
and
rationed,
Karo syrup in
little know-how in
whose
many
school now stands.
and
planting
and coffee also were
up "Nutrition
were
evenings
available
the high
where
People
wanted
also
the home front.
"Victory
Sugar
did
people
the
when
a
a small
good,
old
from
for the
freezing or,
furance, you
people still relied on coal
Lehigh
while the
soon after
bringing it in from Pennsylvania, but
was
that many
furnaces
coal
Alas, the only benefit of
tionable) was the increase
the
were converted
war at
to
gas.
home (and this is
ques
in employment, both industrial
and
commercial. Even women went to work in factories and other
jobs left by
for
then,
children
sitting
as
servicemen.
the
When the
and
their lunch
of
necessary
DeWitt Park
lance,
few day-care
duty."
centers
into
baby
Mothers donned their blue
pails and
left their
even
children
night shift.
As the list
came
were
neighbors were sometimes pressed
their "patriotic
jeans, hoisted
on
As there
as
the dead
or
afterward
opposite
war was
before, but
the
missing
to
more
on
West State
large
memorial
in
for World War I dead.
over, there
interest
Armistice Day. The Veterans
building
in the county, it be
erect another
one
finally
grew
Street,
was
of
and
was no
frenzied jubi
taken in Memorial
Foreign Wars built
fine
Day
a new
parades were organized
With Gold-Star Mothers riding in cars. Floral tributes were laid
annually in DeWitt Park
But
no one seemed
through the
movement
and
to enjoy the
streets.
began to
It
flags
march of
was now
grow and
placed
has
in the cemeteries.
the military
and guns
time to forget. The
continued
to this day.
peace
CHAPTER IV
Changes in Midtown
Before long, many
became numerous,
soon as cars
parking became
the
a
check
followed
businesses sprang up, but
near
a
Meadow Street took
the
replace
and
periodically
.had
their
and
home-baked
their
second
"meter-maids"
by
hand
goods
This
grew
ping
center was
on
to
Society
West State Street
new
reliable place
on
and a
few
businesses
to
place
long held forth in
have
now gone out of
a
on
meats,
the 200 block
of
and
or
also
sale.
large shop
housewives,
North Aurora Street
con
with a
the premises.
given up.
was an old and
Rumsey's hard
East State Street. Both
business.
was one of
down; it
for
businesses
Tompkins House hotel,
Aurora streets,
items for
downtown have been
purchase excellent
ware
had
West Clinton Street It
other
once
where
chickens
"Co-op"
joined,
and as members
meat market on
to be torn
uni
the first.
started one of
for themselves. The
sell
favorite shopping
a
old
old
in
the Elmira Road
brought produce, eggs,
wives
finally built
branch drugstore
The
along
it. Supermarkets began to
some of
a market on
in popularity,
tinues to be
Knight's
War,
tickets. A few
out
own packaged or canned goods and other
Several
World
small corner store.
very early held
farmers
town. As
center of
meters were placed
shopping plaza
The Cooperative Consumers
It
the
after
problem; parking
main streets and were
form to
began in the
changes
at
the corner
the first buildings
site was replaced
10
by
a
of
North
near central
parking lot.
town
Traffic through town
"tuning
fork"
bound traffic
at
was alleviated
the foot
then
was
of
bridge
to Seneca
access
South Aurora. The
on
construction of
East State Street hill. All
channeled
traffic from Green Street had
by
Street;
to East State
crossover
the
west
eastbound
under a new
from East State to
Seneca has been termed the Seneca Way.
A little later northmodated when
and
joined
trucks
and southbound
North
South Meadow
and
Route 13. A
with
traffic
accom
streets were widened
gradual ascent
them from dangerous
removed
better
was
up East Hill for
Mitchell
grades on
and
State Street hifls.
One
of
the
the
molition of
ate
design
streets.
the
place
to
brick Cornell
old
the
at
corner
floor asembly
When the
North Tioga
of
drop in for
lastly by
was
the Senior
long
used
Citizens,
and
the
Another
several commercial
site
been empty,
Tioga
with
old cast-iron
later
the GAR
years
relocated
and
and
the First
is
now
new
and
site
the bell
at
on a
streets.
search of another
used as a
& Electric Building,
parking lot
City
Hall
corner of
used
tempo
old station was
colonial
City Hall
Its bell tower had
at
long
block behind the building. This
Cayuga, Farm
another
in
parking lot.
beautiful
Seneca
being
places, the
a municipal
was our
bell, long
Thompson Park
it demolition,
became
loss
great
corner of
was
West Green Street. After
quarters on
rarily to house
in
and
weary shopping
by lodges,
for many
time
was a pleasant
the first floor. The
quarters on
Soon the Central Fire Station
razed and
after a
reading
a
space.
parking
the
of Italian-
for lectures
it
the de
East Seneca
and
was moved upstairs
a rest and
National Bank had
larger
was
Library building
room was used
library
trip. The basement
a
losses to Ithaca's landmarks
Ezra Cornell founded this library in 1866. For
second
movies.
greatest
fire alarm,
and
Marshall
resulted.
streets.
The city
and purchased
South Cayuga
11
now reposes
in
After
now went
the former Gas
and
East Green.
The
post office
became
expansion resulted
the
in the razing
the 200 block
west side of
provided also
space
parking
The former Eagles
hill has
many internal
seen
Street,
offices
for
Youth Bureau
Building
chased
to the
new
\ caught
its
old
the first floor
building
In
rehabilitation.
Buffalo
Building
at
city to house
by
the
so
from the Eagles
on
fact, it
provide
seemed
and
as a salesroom.
North Tioga to the Urban
to
as
pur
like
there
for the block's
a game of checkers
until
Urban Renewal
and
Loan Bank bought from Ithaca Col
Here
streets.
the
the
college
a modern-style
had
moved.
The
East State
corner of
a
the
bank
old
and
corner of
Tioga
building
Savings
Aurora
and
was
Loan
streets still
the demolition ball.
Along the
south side of
the 200 block
after
South
on
up to them.
erected after
of
by the
was used
lege the former Williams Hall property
awaits
location
new
the Miller Paper company
and occupied
The Ithaca Savings
and
East State Street
of
but outwardly few. After
into its
City Hall,
businesses moving here
with
the foot
upper rooms were occupied
Development Corporation
future
at
chamberlain's office was moved
sold
which
and others.
the block
The firm
Street,
on
post office vehicles.
Building
time. The
North Aurora
changes
moved
the Eagles
some
After the
for
This
the remaining buildings
of
of
Building
Hickey's Music Store
Tioga
crowded and needed an addition.
of
were
torn down
nearly filled the
department
store
for parking
space.
a
by its
move
sides
out, and
new, large Woolworth's
block, using
The former Woolworth
remodeled
both
and on
Cayuga businesses began to
these buildings
Street is to be
East Green Street
part of
store on
the area
East State
owners, Rothschild's. Another
tenant, the Senior Citizens, has
moved
to its
new
home
on
South Geneva Street.
The biggest stumbling block
200 East State Street. The
old
seemed
Sport
12
to be the
south side of
Shop Building has been
destroyed by fire
seemed
But for
by
rounded
a
the
mark and
banquet hall
was
Rotary
friends
regaled
have
yet
proposed at
the
for the
and
else moves
although
its best days
beautiful
dining
holstered
chairs around
since
umns
would
on
it is
a wide
stood a
and
It
front
North
remains
and
her
present
seems
was
that
the
a
years
a
very much,
"fly in
this has
these
parking ramp
yet
the
to be
oint
seen.
big dreamed-up picture.
Cayuga Street, still stands,
Many
older people recall
turkey-red carpeting
gleaming
friendly
white
tables
atmosphere.
porch
a picture
of
and red
its
up
surfeited with
Its fate is
tall,
wooden structure with
on
Seneca Street,
uncer
white col
colonial
days
we
for
roooms
facing North Caynga,
once
tall, Victorian brick house belonging to the Federation
of
Ithaca. It had
house for young working girls,
suppers.
for
purposes.
larger
there reg
in that
are past.
large,
Women's Clubs
and
build
like to keep.
Opposite this
of
on
room with
a
the block
or abandoned
Clinton House
the finest cooking
intervening
several
Rothschild's
rear of
Until then nothing
tain,
new
rooming house it had
as a
of contention.
If this is built
old
before their
Its
future large hotel-restaurant-shopping
materialized,
bone
The
and social affairs.
and other service clubs met
pictures of a
chewed-over
ment."
sur
important land
The Urban Development began to
complex,
not
lot has been
years an
women's clubs
themselves, but
outmoded.
center
the buildings
after
in the famous Dutch Kitchen many families
and
many rosy
plans
site on our main street!
many business
by
was used
ularly,
come
the best
for nearly 100
center of
was erected.
block
whole
great
now
and
several years a vacant
board fence
Ithaca Hotel
back,
years
in the making for that
were razed.
ing
several
as a
In the basement
dancing
was a second
facility had
badly
needed.
13
rooming
meeting place for
classes, nursery
In time, this
quarters were
served well as a
school
or
outgrown
kitchen
other
its
groups
and
similar
usefulness:
Since the
joining this,
it
facility
able
decided to
was
with
ing
kitchen,
second
floor,
a good-sized
patio with
the
entrance
tropical
clothing is
sold
fine
building is
the
the Federation
beautiful
auditorium,
girls
evidence
as
rent
A
on
the
but delight
side
door is
the Service League
of
of
smaller meet
to
plants and a stonewalk.
where
to benefit the Mental Health Clinic. This
site of
club meetings and
concerts,
standing
ad
a more suit
all grouped about a small
to the basement shop
used
build
result was a
for working
rooms
and offices
ful
and
clubs of
for funds. The
It has
work.
rooms,
All
Community Building
Women's
their hard
both
raze
space.
parking
conducted a campaign
new
house in Seneca Street
women owned a small
lectures,
many
teas for
in crafts,
classes
all women of
the city to
enjoy.
Ithaca
House
conservatory
artists
it
produced.
such as speech
and
drama. It
chased
plus
or
library
came
education, physiotherapy,
a
full
arts
college,
had
and
pur
many buildings throughout the downtown
building
infirmary
a radio-television studio and classroom
Boardman
east of
site
Hall;
a cafeteria and
from here to Tioga Street. The Little
such
structures
was
the
scene of
innumer
and musical productions.
as
a
gymnasium
on
East Seneca
a converted theatre on North Aurora
house
a quonset
used
known for
physical
Ithaca College drama
Street,
well
more courses were added
finally became
to occupy the
Other
became
started origi
As it grew,
Theatre, facing DeWitt Park, long
able
in the Boardman
were
of music which
correction,
rented
It built
area.
headquarters
whose
East Buffalo Street for many years,
on
as a
nally
the
College,
for
on
East
various purposes.
buildings
on
College took
For many
downtown
South
over
above
When the hospital
Quarry Street
these
years
Buffalo,
as
and
students
times, eating
14
moved out of
Valentine
dormitories for
Ithaca College
streets at
Street, and even
Terrace Place, were
its
Place, Ithaca
men.
just
about
filled
all
places and movies as well.
Residents took them for
businessmen
granted and
welcomed
their trade.
The
college
needed a
sorely
Dr. Howard Dillingham, then president,
funds
lands
and
on
buildings began to
looking
the
South
the lake
now a
large,
Its
about
many
Another
changes
major
ings along Pleasant
This,
a
moved
for
few
a
quarters and
the
office
buildings
One
roads.
run
of
the
truck
But the city
service
were rented
greatest
to
train to
mail
the
city
and
county
Valley Railroad
was
its
gave
Buffalo, leaving Ithaca
rail
up its
compara
with poor air service and
two
of
during
city
friendly local families,
winter months.
children came
and
by
similarly the
brought to town.
The train
ride
through the hills
made a pleasant
to Buffalo
head
firms.
precarious
very
stood vacant
Subsequently,
purchased.
our
summers a carload or
vacation with
circus was
and
build
loss to the city
needed a new police
private
losses to
several
it found very satisfactory in
which
for transportation,
for
auxil
South Hill to Syra
was a great
badly
Bibbins Hall it
stranded
of
the Grange
when
it. Its buildings
In the late 50's the Lehigh
For many
York
streets on
people with
between New York
tively
institution
naturally brought
headquarters from its
jail, facilities
abandoned
college
providing many
to Ithaca
came
well-paying employer,
years.
the
The
of additional dormi~
new campus
Clinton
and
it took many fine
as
over
downtown.
change
League Federation
cuse.
to the
move
as
well-known
arts and sciences with special schools
lands
northward.
in use, however,
has been faster than its building
services.
in procuring
a miracle out of pasture
are still
tories. Ithaca College is
iary
succeeded
a new campus with modern
gorgeous panorama of
Quarry Street dorms
growth
like
rise
Hill,
in the 1960's
so when
campus,
or
Canada,
beginning
to
boat trip
on
a
station stands converted
to
an
of
Pennsylvania to New
vacations
southward;
the lakes. The
and
old railroad
eating place with a few cars
15
on
the tracks for atmosphere; for many these
reminders
are
nostalgic with memories.
The
west end of
all
nearly
few
cept a
the
houses
old
of
Italy
each
have halls
Meadow streets,
parlor, is
of
formerly
new place on
at
the
South Meadow
television shop
with
on
then
moved or
Street; plumbers
here. Laundries,
and
funeral
a
spots
this
lining
many
built in the
a
large,
heaters
car-repair
to this
and a supermarket add
many eating
State
corner of
the day.
small, have
and
lumber businesses carry
town,
during
ex
Foreign Wars
parking is freer. Smith's Harware has
westend where
of
gone,
the Ithaca Theatre
a restaurant and
for
cared
Many businesses, large
a
building
are
now used as a special children's center where
the handicapped are
ices,
near
of
changes
many
West State Street
on
in the 400 block. The large brick
and
undergone
for businesses. The Veterans
used
the Sons
and
town has gradually
serv
busy
section of
and
end
Meadow
Street.
As the
ings
at
government
the foot
of
flood-control
West Hill
another new course of
losses
the
were
Street, West Side House,
residences.
railroad
The
the
west and
was opened.
upon
that
when
of
traffic
it the derisive
But flood
With five
control
another
has been
"The
about
three
approaches
result
comes
and
Valley
years
be
to it from
has been
a
frus
thus calling
Octopus."
a problem
cloudburst
Cliff
of
the Lehigh
during busy hours,
name of
Among
business buildings
took
three from the east, the
trating bottleneck
down
all
way for
the foot
mission at
was widened and
This
up.
make
resulting bridges.
and several
Inlet
main
tracks taken
fore the bridge
and
Beebe Chapel
old
started, many build
demolished to
were
the Inlet
project
so
long it is hoped
along this
will
be the
solution.
Another
away
owing to the terrain
great problem
cabs and
trucks
East State Street hill
on
the steep
was
for
a
grades of
came
from
run
the busier streets.
time the busiest hill street and
16
in the days
salt, it
of
was often
Cars
of a storm.
Street
when sand or cinders were used
hill,
a car ran
and
into the busy
missing pedestrians.
new
Route 13
and
used
by
cars.
many
South
in lives
Hill,
and
property,
lower,
safer
comes
from the
made
for
streets at
Eventually,
and
is
Even
stages
on
dry days
close shaves came when
the foot
trucks
of
hill,
the
narrowly
were rerouted
although
Street, has
still a menace even
to the
the hill is
taken
a
still
toll
though through
from Candor through Spencer
and over
the
road, down Inlet Valley. On West Hill the danger
narrowness
the only direct
a new route over
alterations should
be
and
route
bridge spanning the Inlet
on
at all angles.
especially South Aurora
are rerouted
instead
coming down East State
less traffic resulted,
trucks
at present
slewing
hazard. Some very
runaways were a
winter
very slippery, especially in the early
were sometimes seen
skidding
in
made
the
at
crookednes
of
Cliff Street,
to the hospital. Plans are
old railroad
bed,
being
with a second
Court Street. All agree, these
before
that hill.
17
more serious
tragedies
occur
CHAPTER V
Housing
Expansion
and
About the only way for Ithaca to
hills. With Cornell
Hill,
this
Along
with
so
move was
with need
branch
far few
for
was
developed
roads
ing
the
years.
built
center
banks nearby
serve
the
or
eastern
South
the
outskirts;
West Hills, but there
next
After the
the junction
at
the
of
five
and
be
traffic headache.
Corners,
Route 13
center
shopping
the Cornell community well,
a movie
car
on
the
supermarkets
north and west.
about
a
that for
Cayuga Heights, it has
new
has motels,
expanded with
another center was
crosses
the
devel
Triphammer Road. This
house, supermarkets, bank branches,
service
and
sales,
with
apartment
houses
nearby.
There is
lege Town,
also a supermarket on
a water
the
area.
The
for
with plans
ing
supply
so-called
which
the Town
College Town
the Hill drugtore
was
there, the local food
replaced
by
Judd Falls Road
more shops
bridge from the campus, has
been
on
South
on
flats,
become
north of
the
eating places,
built
to
center of
oped where
came
the flats to the
the
since
enough
A little
homes
have located
on
go onto
Ithaca College
and
Community Corners
was
that has
Close
new
stores and
shops
to
inevitable.
are supermarkets on
Plaza
East Hill
on
expand was
seen
burned
store
on
of
fire
Ithaca
College
and
first denied
across
a
although after
branch bank
enlarged,
a new structure.
at
Col
while await
Avenue,
few changes,
out a
181
hanging
east of
was
located
the fire station has
But bookstores
and small
catering to
shops
do nearby rooming
student needs continue as
houses.
Housing for young and old is still a problem. New home
building grew fairly rapidly in all directions until interest rates
began to
building
soar
There
controversy in
was
a number of students
ing
ordinance.
cepted
the
business
out
with
part,
their trade. In
welcomes
projects about
and on
the
the town have been very
sure a continuance of
Within the
decade,
have been in
necessitated
Planned
as a
cent space
years
the
residents
of
reluctant
A high-rise
ladies
on
(1971)
structure
will
at
carried
the
settle
town; many do
Recently
work
relations
a new
director
federally assisted housing
A housing development was
and
giving up
of
Fourth
of
streets which
several
individual homes
house
is to
old
homes.
with good adja
families, it dragged
supposed
replace
which
apartment
Titus Flats
hoped that it
and
appointed which should as
Franklin
South Aurora Street
on
life,
on
real progress was made.
apartment
Another high-rise
ac
have
students
to be for lower-
middle-income retirees now nears completion on
Street. This
of
In short, Cornell's
lower- and middle-income
before any
way
have
several
progress.
development
for
against a zon
the eity, both
good.
assisted
this cooperation.
for the vicinity
planned
for
past
fact,
northwest side of
schools and service agencies.
projects
house
however,
Community Relations has been
of
federally
student population as a part of our
houses
in the
most
approached
instances regarding
some
a completed
renting
For the
many voluntary
ment
the 70's
and as
standstill, excepting for
seemed at a
projects.
taxes,
with
along
near
fill the
"The
or
South Geneva
Home"
has become
for elderly
outmoded.
house for the elderly is rising
the Plaza shopping
center.
It is
need of some senior citizens on small
incomes.
There
and sold
"Turnkey"
are also
projects, houses privately built
to the government,
a plan which
successful.
19
has
proved
fairly
TOMPCO,
sponsored
individuals buy their
low-cost financing.
Expansion
good
by
several
own
homes
transportation. This has been
since cessation of railroad
been improved
Hill, has been
Cornell
always
service;
with a newer and
Street. Air service,
an
important link
personnel
who
Ithaca
for the
Ithaca's
however, bus
better
with
successful without
station on
or
problems
service
has
West State
Warren Road
on
East
the outside, especially for
travel often, but its
been satisfactory
a must
one of
with an airport off
dependable. As
during the long
and hazardous, and sometimes
out of
is
at a reasonable price with
town is not completely
of a
help
churches, is working to
service
has
not
in
and
car service
winter months
is
it is
good air service
city.
20
impossible,
often
difficult
CHAPTER VI
The Schools
The Ithaca district
in the
country.
schools are considered
They have kept
pace
among the best
by building
new schools
needed, adding the latest equipment, using the
when
methods and
by keeping
familiar
them.
with
Early in
in Ithaca
the 30's
under
the Board
many
aspects
teachers continually
newest
and
of
aware
for the handicapped
education
child
began
Superintendent Claude L. Kulp. Since then it
has gradually increased in
until
Health Services
and
of
scope and methods as
the
need arose
Cooperative Educational Services took
in its especially
home
equipped new
on
over
Warren
Road.
iThe Belle Sherman School
first four
not
grades
have to
Mitchell Street took
in the twenties,
which meant
accommodate
a gymnasium-auditorium and
Cornell Street from the
across
the
to East Hill School. It gradually
buildings to
school
then
go
on
the fifth
finally
main
over
the
pupils
did
added
and sixth
to the
grades,
an annex was added
building
plus playground
space.
The South Hill School
ing
was
Hudson Street. Its
on
processing
center
replaced with a new
and
has been
build
Columbia Street
old school on
stands, though condemned,
central
early
used
for elementary
many
school
still
years as a
library
mate
rials.
Hill, too, had a new building on Chestnut Street, north
old one. Not long afterward the vacant old facility was
West
of
the
burned.
21
Additions
the Heights
the
and soon
joined
schools.
The last two
Two
the Northeast School
Creek
off
Warren Road,
additions
and newer
at
other schools were added:
and
to the
the
and
for long,
were not sufficient
torn down
old parts were
earlier ones.
Hill, Fall
to East
were soon made
the east,
west of
the
the lake Glenwood School.
The biggest undertaking, however,
the
new
high
Creek. It is
ties
rooms
pool,
patio.
in
a separate
construction
school,
Fall
of
north
of
with auditorium and activi
unit; cafeteria, gymnasium, swimming
lecture hall
and classrooms
has plenty
area
the
the Bergholtz Tract
on
a campus-style
library,
The
school
was
built
around a small
for parking
of grounds
and a sports
The former high-school building then became the DeWitt
Junior High School
Central
the
and
St. John's elementary
new
will open
junior high
second on
ing is
tural
school
of
remained about
the
end of
this
time,
although
the Bergholtz
will
use, but the future
nearness of
out
in
its
Tract,
then be taken
of
over
the DeWitt build
possibilities as a cul
eral sessions and
evaluation
college
volunteers
or
organized
a
in the
professional
department
supervision,
They
serve as
library helpers. They
were
briefed
their
and
under
a new
schools.
work was
assistance
group furnished
teachers to
two large colleges,
various ways
aids, tutors
other
north
completion
the growing school population, the cost of teach
developed for
help
for
needed.
and recreation center are under consideration.
ers and
er's
have
nearing 1971
Warren Road. Boynton
uncertain at
Because
to
schools now
the
one at
soon,
for elementary
was
schools
was
same with some remodeling.
Two
the
to Boynton
as a second one
"kit"
followed up
year
problems.
One
a science center at some
of
various
materials
at sev
the
during
individual
with
teach
schools;
and
an
books for
use.
Others helped in the
to elementary
school
new
learning
centers which are annexed
libraries. Here
22
audiovisual aids are used
individually or in groups. A
to do during certain periods,
either
wants
he is able, in reading
The "Head-Start"
program
become
group
chance
oriented
to
for him to
a
them,
A
old
the
Junior High School
the
watever
poorly in
school.
Some
out.
ing
that he
free
on
liked
child
has
a counsellor and
and not
and
informal
an
create more enthusiasm
learning
the
lets him de
lacked any interest
junior high. There is
will go on
at
West Court Street. This
choice of subjects and
are children who
become
did
atmos
for study
a
drop-out
16.
During the 40's
50's the School Music Department had
and
Miss Bernice
exceptionally equipped and talented teachers.
Finch
parents
in 1970
was organized
Building
the desire is to
and
after age
child
regular
phere,
so
tried
interests follow. Each
them
of
better
disapproved.
school allows
many
first entering
child
was used as an experimental school where
Educational Services
velop
as
example.
environment and provides a
new methods were
others
special
rapidly
helps the disadvantaged
when
he
choose what
may
and progress as
arithmetic, for
keep up
East Hill School
some of
or
child
headed
the
classes
provided
from the fourth
instrumental
private
sometimes
and
grade
department
music
through high
lessons to
school
for
an
which
children
incidental
fee.
Every
Christmas-time
Auditorium in
The
part.
held in the High-School
which children of all ages who were pupils
concert attracted all ages.
It included
different instruments
year,
numbers on
the
a concert was
Christmas
spirit
and
each
ending
with
a
variety
always
the
took
of
keeping
High-School
Orchestra.
In June
made
the
of each year one was
during
the
year.
number of pupils
These two
held
as a recital of progress
concerts were continued until
between 200
and
400
made
tical. Since then these teachers have retired
23
and
it imprac
funds for
school music
have been curtailed,
in the
cation carried on
very little
with
musical edu
schools.
The Ithaca Community Music Schools began to
fill
the
some of
void.
Recently, they have been
East Hill Experimental
lessons;
mental
seems
held
are
recitals
to take the
fiddles
School, holding both
place of
those
bands
horns in those delightful
and
at
working
the
instru
vocal and
periodically.
small
grow and
But nothing
of youngsters with
held in
concerts
earlier
days.
At
present
the only
Concert. The High-School
honored
with several
town ball
Some
Christmas is the High-School
concert at
Marching Band, however, has been
invitations to play
other
The Parent-Teachers Association
World War II days. In the
children read a great
were
filled
child
to
a
horror
with
campaign
books that
filled
were
contacted and were
sored ones
chosen,
to the
were
For many
classes
in
a
this
years
his
retirement.
of
Its
many, both young
In
a
city
with
the
of
sale
a
of
during
television,
some of which
from
were passed
objectionable
All
they
A Committee
few less
of
or
comic
newsstands were
would return cen
on
Censorship
the objectionable
was
pub
sale.
the Ithaca Evenings Schools have held
of subjects
and others sought
long director
was
out-of-
the parents. The PTA
cooperative, saying
publishers.
variety
books,
violence; many
by
developed
the days
with crime pictures.
up high-school courses,
zens,
and
found for
long
was well
comic
many
against
and soon after
lications
at
Driver Education,
are
40's, before
child without approval
ganized
half-time
games and parades.
interesting programs
Health Program, and Black History.
the
at
for
adults.
some wished
to learn
this
Some
went
to
make
to become naturalized
new or old
citi
hobbies. John Mack
excellent work which carries on since
shops and classes
have
proved
helpful to
and older persons.
two large
colleges and a
24
Community College
nearby, there
evening
are
and summer
schools,
The Cornell College
Human
homemakers
fact,
in
was
were
thousands
February
for
certainly
an unique event
Week,"
Home
and
not
March. There
or
the only
by
guests
such
and movies
in
during
the
attractions
wives at
amphitheatre
gowns,
the one-way
screen at
the
children
with advances.
programs
in the
to test
state
school nurses
But the city had
continued.
It held
High School
reached
a
look through
and observe
their
at
open roof with
poor
and
the first
the group
with
indicated
by
the doctor
At the time there
on
lessons
since
been dis
the fourth floor of the
Cayuga,
25
has
which
quarters
that
children with special
eyes, deficient
was
pace
children.
facility
about
were given
fence
hearing
checkups.
Health School
Buffalo
was one of
also was made as
for 2,000
a special
a
such as
other ailments
have usually kept
when needed as
testing
by elevator. Here
problems
children's
periodically for
visited each school
two
schools
follow through
individual testing. Eye
old
visiting
general public are now
Early in the 30's Ithaca
audiometer and
were
could
attending
some
missed.
Health Services in the district
cities
they
where
All these features for the
activities.
greatly
demonstration
very
a bread-
watching
demonstration, and men were offered farm
other interesting attractions. Mothers enjoyed
nursery-school
in
Cornell. There
making
and
held
week
Bailey Hall. One
presidents'
in the
and
attending; in
ones
old-fashioned
well-known
was always a crowd
annually
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt,
as
fine
now
but farmers
many fine
were
popular place was an exhibit of
by
held
years
"Farm
demonstrations,
once worn
as well
Homemaking,
and
of all ages were present
cluding lectures
exhibits,
Continuing Education
Agriculture
of
Ecology,
the 60 's. It
until
and
in
education
BOCES.
as vocational at
called
for further
opportunities
many
hearing,
suitable
a
health
cardiac
to their
their playground;
were
and
needs.
The
hot lunch
was
25
TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC
LIBRARY
312 NORTH CAYUGA
STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK
U850
brought up from the cafeteria,
for
this
lunch. These children, greatly benefited
after
naps
special
attention,
back to their
the
German
the
since
Nurses do
pupils
they
dis
school was
is less, but
by
teaching
also.
depends
hearing
heavily
so
than
school
and
eye
them.
on
the
older
formerly,
since
problems with
are much more serious
drugs,
At
school.
periodic
Their
much
then. Now the State
before entering
progress
emotional problems at all
ages,
and
in
smoking.
Health Services
drug
This
for smallpox, measles,
child
each
of
prevention
child's
a
include
prevention
caused
on
some
high school,
and
is
especially
now
City
on prevention since
and polio
measles
emphasis
tests,
after about one year went
usually
percentage of nurses per pupil
immunization
requires
by
1945.
has been done
more
and
regular schools and classes.
continued about
Today
and rest mats were provided
is the
key,
problems
also
have
made
with special clinics as
the tool. Emotional
have increased. Population
the sanctioning
abortions which must
of
Here, too,
progress.
growth
has
be done
at
hospitals, however.
A
laboratory
city hospital
with
at
on
was
South
the hospital
first
established
Quarry Street,
when
was a
who
a
have been
The
this
was moved
along
Trumansburg Road. This
on
tuberculosis institution
With Willard State Hospital
tive to have
and
With the
connection
it became Tompkins County Hospital
the Biggs Memorial Hospital
formerly
in
fairly
belonging
County Hospital holds
any
chest
state.
near, it became impera
Mental Health Clinic in the city to
released as well as
to the
other
guide
troubled
X-ray
those
people.
clinics at
certain
times. This department has been greatly improved: the hos
has
added an
intensive-care
full-time
physician
is in
pital
charge of
The Senior Citizens have
unit and a
the
recovery
26
A
Emergency Department.
sponsored glaucoma
Planned Parenthood group has been
room.
organized.
clinics,
and a
There is
a
long-term
care
unit,
a psychiatric
separate
building has been
equipped
children.
This
added
Hospital Aid
en's
Refresher
for
equipment
"candy
tered
and
An
courses
for
is
nurses are
and a
the licensed
to the
in the planning
stage.
homes for the elderly
now
has
by
the
work of
held
the Wom
A
periodically.
There
few internes to
school
nurses'
are
assist
the
regis
practical nurses.
present
hospital,
Nursing homes
are
on
and
good, but quite
list The Reconstruction Home,
patients,
for severely handicapped
conducted annually.
stripers,"
addition
to
and a
and others.
practical nurses
aids,
is
section,
once
same
grounds, is
proprietory
often
used
a greater proportion of
27
the
the
have
boarding
a waiting
solely for polio
elderly.
CHAPTER VII
Cultural Centers
Ithaca
library building
this, like
to the
after
so
its
the Sons
given
It
by Ezra Cornell
in his latter days. But
stood at
having
buildings in midtown, had
the
the
demolition,
of
fine, Italianate-design
other
many
years.
a
fortunate in
was
Parks
and
corner of
library
Italy Hall in
Tioga
rented
the 400 block
First,
tion for
there
a
before
was
time;
the
all
of
then demolition
uga and
partly
Court
the
corner
in
ment
had its
it
Cayuga Street
on
site,
the
which
headquarters,
stood
new
a
building. It
very debatable
two buildings
of
the
on
ques
the
white colonial
new
Cay
corner of
the Presbyterian
facing DeWitt Park. A large,
stood on
in
West State Street to
was excellent:
streets opposite
quarters
was accomplished.
choice of a
But the final decision
site.
this
Seneca streets;
temporary
await completion of plans and erection of
was several years
and
succumbed
church
and
house then
the Ithaca College Music Depar-
office and classrooms.
the square, brick
Next door to
structure of
the
Odd Fellows Temple.
The Music Department
ters in the
moved
on
old
was able
Congregational
to South
Hill,
while
to
obtain
church until
temporary
the department
new
sive
sight
ramps,
This
library
with
and a
quickly
rose
in their place, posing
its dark-and-light contrasts, its
sweeping stairway
arrangement
made
was
the Odd Fellows have their temple
West Buffalo Street. After these two buildings
the
quar
leading to the
possible
28
large, light
came
an
down,
impres
curves
and
main entrance.
rooms
on
the
floor
ground
now used
Finger Lakes
by the
mostly
Association, with lecture room and offices in front.
Entering the front door, one comes immediately to
checking-out counter, with stacks
and a
stairway to the
side, in the
room.
round
hangs
room, is the
Although it is
Ezra Cornell has
the
on
balcony
at
been
forgotten, for
door,
the large
walls
around,
On the
south side.
north
attractive children's
the Tompkins
the front
wall near
the
the
all
delightfully
now called
not
lining
Library
County Library,
honoring him
a plaque
and
his
is dis
portrait
played prominently.
Paul
Bradford,
ored with
dervort
his
the library's long-time treasurer,
name
in the Local
History Room. Mrs. John
unselfishly for twelve years,
worked
hours toward this final accomplishment,
understanding helper.
was an able and
of our
project,
of
Northside Houses to
help
volunteer
The YMCA
sports and
Since the
come
Building
quarters
down to
at
other
make
arts,
Kelsey
we all are proud
on
is
Can."
centers,
such as
are carried on
for
complete
being
Southside
ages,
with
outgrown
on
East Seneca Street had
the parking lot in that
there, has
the former Naval Reserve Station
occuying a
its
sought.
which occupied rooms
Here, too,
all
East Buffalo Street has
still
control
colleges.
trance to Stewart Park. This is
Tin
Now,
many
up for this loss. Here many
Central Fire House
old
Bureau,
into
coming from the
quarters and a solution
Youth
Lincoln D.
the West Side House to the flood
more efforts went
activities, both
to
and
devoting
Van-
library.
After the loss
and
is hon
also
block,
the
acquired new
near
the
en
facetiously called "The
section of the building is the
now
Community Nursing School, long domiciled
at
St.
John's
School.
Other
patients
projects
leaving
in
various places are a
Willard
shop for handicapped to
Half-Way-House for
Hospital; the Challenge Industries,
make or repair
29
for
sale
donated
a
mate-
appliances; Open House for teenage
rials and
anyone
may
walk
in
and
privately discuss his problems,
Meadow House for mentally
But the largest group in
of
town community
our
earliest
group
by far
Army headquarters. Soon
other groups
formed
at
For
a number of years activities were
basement
the
old
Cornell
handwork, luncheons,
As
urban renewal
Street
shop,
approached,
they
in the community
moved
groups under one
home,
and
by forming
head, instituting
finally acquiring
one
were
featured.
they became
a council of all
at
in
to South Tioga
where
building
a
held in the
where classes
fair
and an annual
then to 147 East State Street
and
a power
own
a
Library Building,
Salvation
and a center
was sought.
of
consists
the Golden
was
late Mrs. Merrill Shipherd
by the
started
and
retarded children.
the Senior Citizens. About the
Age Club
problems where
county
campaign
for its
213 South Geneva
Street.
Here
will
a
homey,
better
Citizens
their
of
serve
ranks swell and
annual
artists
bring
screen
years
are a
their
in
to
some
Buffalo Street
on
thousands
heard.
handcraft.
of
Many
professionals once a
library
and
and other
making
At first the fair
was
and
silk-
crafts, to
ex
held in Ithaca College's
classrooms; later in the
Street,
the
most of whose members are
new
High
recently at Ithaca College
Dining Hall. The fair is
an attraction
that brings
of visitors annually.
The Ithaca Civic Opera Association
tions
reckoned with as
in ceramics, weaving, woodworking,
North Cayuga
in its Terrace
Fair,
room
The Senior
Ithaca has been the fortunate location
work
sell.
force to be
voices are
design, batik, jewelry
and
School
their
large meeting
worthwhile activities.
New York State Craft
talented
hibit
their very
the community
For many
year
convenient place with a
with good
stages periodic produc
talent; the Community Players form
a
drama
group; the Children's Matinee Series brings delightful shows
for youngsters; the Ithaca
Community Music School is
30
a
coop-
has its home on Auburn Street. It works
many teachers in teaching music of different sorts to all
erative effort which
with
ages and
presenting
The Garden Clubs for both
and provide
tasteful
hospital. The
school
a
number and
and
est
in
ing
to preserve
also; its
old
Club
on
the
golf courses
and
skiing
museum,
is publishing
leading in
nearby, many
Historic Ithaca is
the Art Association
is annually
thrives,
the Ithaca Yacht
prevail,
with
season.
There
make
work
anticipated.
college sports
snowmobiling to
for
historical inter
pamphlets of
and
water sports
west side
the
the
an educational program
program.
landmarks,
"Art-in-the-Park"
Around the lake
events and often at
of women's clubs run
variety
the State
keeping with
for
interest many
any interest. The DeWitt Historical
developing
children,
men and women
arrangements
gamut and suit almost
Society has
times.
recitals at various
Ithaca
to
are several good
attend plus winter
a center
for
all
year-
round sports.
Although Stewart Park
Ithaca has
several
Washington Park
many
during
provided a practice
Band before it
moved
attractions
delightful
Buffalo Street
westside children
merly
and
useful
very
on
holds its
still
by the lake,
smaller parks.
Park Place
and
summer months.
This
field for the High-School
to its
serves
for
park
Marching
home
on
North Cayuga
Cayuga
and
Buffalo streets,
new
Street.
DeWitt
Park,
at
has long been the
the junction
cultural and
of
historic
dents. Besides the Presbyterian
on
the
northeast corner
the
old
est example of
Gothic Revival
it is the home
of
and
center
for Ithaca
resi
Baptist churches, it has
Courthouse,
considered
the
old
in New York state;
architecture
DeWitt Historical Museum. On the
east
side,
facing Buffalo Street, is the Boardman House of Italianate
design. It was purchased from the family by Ithaca College
which used
later as a
it for
administrative purposes
museum of art.
Between this
31
for many
and
years and
the Baptist
church
stands
Theatre,"
the "Little
the park, beside the
west side of
sey house
lovely
presents a
ture. Next to it is the large
its
with
of
a
neo-colonial
succumbed
architec
Williams-Speno house
At Christmastime
to
at night
show
pleasant atmosphere
people
is
set
at
the
up
center of
planted
Christmas tree,
south side of
the
park.
facing Cayuga Street
lifesize figures. This
in the
old elms
the group has
a permanent
fountain
a creche
Since its stately
disease,
elm
has been working
persons
park.
trees, including
and even placed a small
to
the
of
to the fatal
new shrubs and
welcome
the Hal
library,
south completes surround
interested
of
group
toward beautification
lighted
new
park.
Recently
have
and
interior designs, especially in the hallway.
superb
the
drama
Federal-style
example of
DeWitt Junior High School to the
ings
center of
for Ithaca College.
musical recitals
On the
the former
park
town furnishes
and
with
its
a gracious
from any direction.
The city gradually
obtained
small
more
parks
in
various
Company donated a piece of land
Fall Creek, just below the big falls, which has been im
locations. The Ithaca Gun
along
proved
of
to
This
add
to
and
play in the
Then two later
on
West
naturally
The
Hill,
about
for
by
level,
is going
some
to be developed
of
along
so as
to
on at
for the
its
care and
the
south side
youngsters who
streets.
three
First
acres of
was
the McDaniels
land to be developed
as
recreational purposes.
is the Belle Sherman Park
the Board
over
gradually.
parks were acquired.
as possible
second
the city
some
improve it
has taken
small plots are prepared
would otherwise
Park
neighborhood
sort of cooperative effort
town. Here
trail to the foot
summer youth program with a
the falls. Now the
plans
of
the
by
lately
Education. It includes
a small stream
keep it
in
turned
about
a glen.
as near as possible
state.
32
over
to
five acres,
This, too, is
in its
natural
There is
also a small park at
These along
with our
milk, Enfield Falls
many thousands
beautiful
and
the foot
of
state parks
Cascadilla Falls.
nearby
Taughannock furnish the
annual visitors with a
areas.
33
variety
at
Butter
residents and
of recreational
CHAPTER VTII
Religious Organizations
Early in
was
city
others as
the 19th century the first
the Presbyterian. It
was
the
At that
eon
DeWitt
and
he
population grew.
owned considerable
was most
was
then for
In the
fare
pre-war
the
land in the
early time Sim
the
corner of
his
days before
town,
growth of churches and
West Seneca
name as
donor
of
and
the
now
Geneva
lot,
which
for community
united efforts
organized, the
women of
the
called
Army
the
to town
came
and
Community Chest,
all agencies under one roof and
wel
did
churches
for the less fortunate. Later
charitable assistance
Then the Salvation
then
the
center of
they donated money toward hospital equipment,
Fund,
several
Reformed Dutch Church.
projects were
much of
at
a plaque with
a
same
by
The former Congregational church,
St. Catherine's Greek,
streets, bears
followed
soon
helpful in aiding the
worthwhile projects.
in the
church established
and still
do.
later the United
organized efforts of
director in 1965. The
churches
began to unite, too.
The
churches cooperated
isterial group
Churches. This
such as
and
a
in many
ways.
They formed
mainly Protestant
in
resulted
the Beebe Mission
more
chapel at
County Council
coordinated
the foot
a min
of
mission
Cliff
of
work,
Street,
now
gone.
The
those in outlying towns used lay
team of college students organized
smaller churches and
pastors
and, sometimes,
services
before
a
a church
had
a
building.
34
leader
of
its
own
or even a
For
time the Tompkins
a
tained
a
camp
their
send
at
children
the churches
of
camp
was
County Council of Churches
South Danby where church members
for two
Protestant
churches
services on special
later
to Ithaca College.
sold
in the city
day. An Interchurch Missions Committee
topic
ing
was
annually for
the same, using
lands to the
The
for
and
overseas
or retired missionaries
a
conducted
trained
churches
years,
since
students, professors,
bring
their
a
their
visit
messages of other
in the
here have their
autumn with
own
several
courses
ministers
instructors. Now many
director
classes were organized
education
teacher-training
a series of
religious education
In the 20 's
religious
Good Fri
laymen held
of
several
and
union
whole group.
Couny Council held
time,
to
in holding
cooperated
Thanksgiving
such as
series of union programs
some
denominational camps, the Danby
and
days
could
fee. Then
weeks at a nominal
acquired
discontinued
man-
of religious education.
for
in the Protestant
the
of
released-
churches.
time weekly
These
were
implemented by Professor Ralph Felton, sociology instructor
at
the Reverend William F. Hastings
of
Cornell,
and
directed
by
the Congregational Church. Through these classes, held
children were
various
churches, many
church
for the first time,
Oberg
was
maculate
one
block
An
World
for many
years
their
excellent
of
the
Miss Elsa
instructor. The Im
classes at
its
own
church,
away.
of
the
Friendship Day, led
children met and
tired in their
talked
native
ecumenical effort
annually,
County Council of Churches was
by Mrs. Anna McCurdy. Here the
with people
costumes,
their different
The Ithaca Council
events
consent.
with
Conception School held its
annual event
stories of
brought inside
parents'
at
and
from different lands,
were
entertained
with
customs.
of
Church Women
was
in the locality. It holds two
such
at
as
World
35
or
the first
three
Community Day
at
real
special
which
materials and
one nearer
the
over
to these
funds
home. The World
world
in
a
for
are collected
day
Day
of prayer.
Prayer joins
of
Different
or
women all
churches are
hosts
affairs.
In the late
60's, however, the
became
churches
ical in their programs, holding joint services,
fellowship. Both Protestant
and
project,
some overseas
Now the
churches
have
family
Catholics
and
organized within
more ecumen
together.
meet
the
suppers,
area and call
themselves Area Churches Together (ACT). After the demo
Beebe Chapel owing to flood control, the resulting
lition
of
funds
were used
help
for two
young people
needed
day-care
They have
near
by;
who seemed
in carrolling
Dawn service;
a
from
one church
carrying
ins,
on
the
to
Group
"Meals-on-
who
given
help
is
a
agency
various
called
Easter
purchase
their
sponsoring
picture
Church buildings have
demolished, its
Methodist Church
in
seen
a
housing
people are
in any way
needed
with pride.
since so
that involve location
resources and environment
others restored.
(1971)
shut-
income fami
home. These
and aided
in
ways.
middle-class
own
this time
coordinated
FISH (Friends in
neighborly
churches are also
problem at
into the
and
for elderly
them become independent homeowners
difficult
new,
program
TOMPCO for lower
desire to
have
churches
Wheels"
help in low-cost financing
to
enter
in
out
Now the Protestant
be
The
another.
Service Here) helps
lies
nursing homes
fine plays, moving
put on several
and another widespread
program called
much-
clothing drive for the homeless is underway;
Interfaith Drama
an
various
Christmastime
at
to
operation.
to the
coordinated services
pastor
trouble; 2. A
to be in
is till in
center which
cooperated
1. An itinerant
projects:
This
many issues
(zoning),
water
general.
many changes,
some
gone,
some
When the State Street Methodist had to
members
about
joined
1961,
and
St. Paul's Methodist Church. This
36
with
the
those
of
the First
name was changed
church
had previously
to
com-
new, large
pleted a
parish
house joined to the
which
includes
School
rooms and other useful space.
a small
The Tabernacle Baptist
new, larger structure
a youth
chapel,
it
replaced
on
Sunday
more
room,
church also was
building,
main
demolished
East Lincoln
and
and a
Cayuga
streets.
The Presbyterian
took
church underwent extensive repairs and
over a residence
This
facing it
on
East Court Street for
St. John's Episcopal both recently
church and
offices.
acquired
new pipeorgans.
The First Congregational
cramped and
new
home
where
its
on
East Hill, the
Its
of
variety
Soon
new
some
streets.
Then
a second
growing
Road,
in 1959
for its
309 High
at
church with
a
school.
at
which
windows,
new congregation
Catholic
called
building
church
Seneca
and
for their
has
the
former
made a suitable
smaller numbers.
built
church was
St. Catherine's
of
on a
Sienna,
large lot
to
serve
on
that
area.
new smaller churches were
eral others
in the
churches within
The Cornell
Religious
outskirts.
or
hall, but
work,
on
East Hill
counts
not
formerly
thirty different
include the Salvation
called
the
Cornell United
erection of
chapel, meeting rooms,
most popular room
37
and sev
services.
ample space since
with convertible
the
The city
Ithaca College
religious
Work, has
Hall,
built
its limits. This does
Army, Sage Chapel
Taylor
nursery
memorial
attractive church
Hanshaw
a
population,
extensive alteration and replacement of
had moved, the
very
Two
After
stained-glass
church
completed
truly community
Congregational
old
church
St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church
afterward
Geneva
a
its
space and more room
parking
building,
itself too
that it decided to build
center of
including
activities,
bought the
er
of
Avenue, has become
land
and
repairs so extensive
it has plenty
church school.
Church, however, found
Anabel
and
larg
is the One World Room
which
bears the
the
all men of
inscription,
"For God has
work
problems.
tion
closely
more ecumenical and
together, coordinating their
Sage Chapel is
made
relate modern problems of youth
make
their
make use of personal
their
in town,
faith,
various
population
are a valuable asset
residence
to the
old
even
to
visiting
to their work,
talents
and
of
during
welcome
if temporarily.
38-
their
town
Biblical
are
to the
and
many
college popula
out of
churches
work relevant and meaningful
dents. The Cornell
dents
The
sermons.
from
its chap
efforts on
appealing to the
with excellent music and speakers
stimulating
blood
earth."
Its program, too, has become
lains
made of one
who
words
striving to
modern stu
graduate
stu
which attempts
often
brief
them into the
in
to
periods of
fellowship
of
CHAPTER IX
The Game
Anyone
ing
who studies a
map
of
Names
of
Ithaca
streets and
its
surround
in Tompkins
roads
County will have an entertaining, often
They will find here names from the pic
experience.
amusing,
turesque Indian
ones
to the
hilarious
quaint and sometimes
title.
It
ironic that,
seems rather
hesitate to drive
out
his
likes the
sound of
them for
our streets and
clude
nock
their
although
the
bothers, he
red-skinned
place names and
lakes
this
of
white man
has
region.
Another Indian
name
ahominy Road. The
whole road
adopted
has
only
word
home
old
"Daddy"
George
of
Locally, they in
and Taughan-
Chic-
from Virginia :
a nostalgic
beauty, history
with
moldering
not
many
Wood.")
has been
itself is filled
atmosphere of
the
not
nevertheless
claimed
Iroquois, Seneca, Tioga, Cayuga, Oneida,
(meaning "The Great Falls in
did
and
sites with
sound, the
the
romantic
the houses
lived before he
long
since gone.
Here
lished,
far off, the famous George Junior Republic for
not
disadvantaged
a name
full
the farm.
amid
youth.
also, is found
of memories of
Here, too,
banks
Here,
of
one
once
"Aching Back
the days before
may drive
black-eyed Susans
hills. Whoever
assets,
yet
its
The Indians
named
the
road
summertime
Queen Ann's
at one point capture a memorable view of
probably had
Farm"
mechanization on
leisurely in
and
estab
Lace;
and
beautiful Caroline
no
idea
of all
these
origin still remains a mystery.
are mentioned
in
other ways such as
Run, Indian Fort, Indian Creek Road
39
and
Red Mill.
Red Man's
Other
people
nationalities and places
settled,
Irish Settlement
named roads
Pennsylvania
Avenue,
and
Texas Lane.
naming Rab
and
names are always
Willow
favorite for places,
and
here
we
have
Creek, Oak, Elm, Maple, Chestnut, Cherry, Hawthorne
Place, Pine Tree, Pine Woods Road,
A
which
Road, German Crossroad,
hunting possibilities were noted in
bit Run, Buffalo Street, and Turkey Hill Road.
Sports
Tree
along
Hill, Connecticut Hill, Delaware Avenue, Geneva
French
Street,
as
have
more
interesting
cataloging is
Cliff
and
one
this
Hillside
Drive, Hill Top, Hill View,
View Avenue, Overlook
the variety
of
and
Ball Hill
and
the terrain
that pictures the land
Fall streets, Hill Crest
scape of
region as
Orchard Place.
while
Road,
plus
Woodcrest, Grand
roads.
All these describe
Pleasant
Valley, Pleasant
Grove, Forest Home, Floral Avenue, Level Green Road, Mead
ow Street and Cold Spring Road depict quiet, serene valleys
topped
with
highlights
such
as
Sunrise Terrace
Mount
and
Pleasant Road.
One may
even
have
a choice of
Road to Vinegar
Hill,
or
beverages from Waterwagon
back to Water Street
and
Buttermilk
Falls.
For the
there
Monkey Run, Flatiron Road,
Shindagin Hollow, Fiddlers Green, and Podunk ("wide spot
whimsical
in the road.") The
from the
gunshop
Triphammer Road, they say,
which was
which people
hoped to
tuary there. Crowbar Point,
place
located
at
the
Beebe Lake dam. Sapsucker Woods Road
present
bird
old
name
are
for crows,
a quaint
There
while
see
on
in the
the
woods at
lake, is
Whippoorwill Lane
country evening
said
site of
was
for the
the bird
to be
a
the
sanc
roosting
gives a picture of a
near a wood where
historical
came
the bird
sang.
have lingered many
Old '76 Road, Old Stage Road, Honeypot (an old Indian
years
are some
names which
Trail) Hardscrabble, so called because of the poor soil on the
hilltop) and Rogue's Harbor at South Lansing, where forbid,
,
40
ding
characters
are
said
to have
But to really enjoy these places,
the
gathered
at
one must
take
a
old
inn.
leisurely
drive along the back roads, and soak up the atmosphere around
Cayuga Lake with it hillsides and glens. There are long views
of
breath-taking loveliness,
tered
at
its
valleys:
plus
the close-up serenity
this is the true Finger Lakes Region
center.
41
of shel
with
Ithaca