Heritage Trail

Town of Big Flats

A BICENTENNIAL PROJECT "THE HERITAGE TRAIL"

Dedicated to the memory of Henry B. Minier, Jr.

Published by the Big Flats Bicentennial Commission, 1976

Mrs. Nancy E. Nicastro, Author Mr. Dennis O'Connell, Photographer

Printed by Painted Post Press, Painted Post, N.Y. Private Property All buildings and properties mentioned and/ or shown in this book are privately owned and must be accorded all due respect. No one should attempt to inspect said buildings and properties without prior permission from the present owners. PLEASE HELP KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL - You can help maintain our proud heritage and history in Big Flats by depositing all litter, cigarettes and matches in their respective, proper receptacles. Acknowledgment As an American who is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, it has been an exciting venture for me to compile this little Bicentennial history of sites in Big Flats, New York. History is made up of many things, mostly people. Big Flats was carved out of the pine forest of the flat lands and the hard woods of the hills by hardy souls who came here to build a new life in a new land. No history is 100% complete or 100% accurate. People who make history are often too busy to keep daily diaries. So we have to dig back into our past via oral tradition, artifacts, old buildings, news clippings, photos, personal letters, etc. Many people have helped me do the research. First of all my daughter, Veronica, who at age twelve was my inspiration to keep going when mind and body were ready to quit. Pamela Farr gave me complete freedom to copy her book, "150 Years, Big Flats, N.Y. 1822-1972. Sesquicentennial Edition." Dennis O'Connell did all the photographicwork. He has been a constant working companion throughout. Henry and Eleanor Minier along with Rowland and Clara Farr and Mr. Marion Rhodes spent many hours telling me stories of Big Flats. Fellow researchers have been Arthur and Dorothy Devenport, Virginia Schweizer, Meta Levin and others who have shared with me as I met them in the post office, stores and church. I have visited homes and called many by phone. Some readers will likely be stimulated to recall other Big Flats history not recorded here. When that happens please jot it down immediately and get it to the Big Flats Historical Society. If this book has done no more than to cause new and better information to come to the light of day which can be used in some subsequent History of Big Flats, my time has been well spent. As you celebrate this Bicentennial year please remember that we are making the history our children will write about. Please do not hesitate to keep records and to make provision for their preservation.

Nancy Nicastro January, 1976 1 - CHARLES M. DAVENPORT HOUSE Charles M . Davenport's father, Myron Davenport, purchased the land where the house and workshop now stand at 155 Davenport Road, from Matilda Mill­ paugh in 1874. There is no record of when the original house was built. Upon Myron's death, the house was left to his wife Juda and sons-Charles, William, Roy and Kipe on August 17, 1916. Charles became the owner by quit claim deed from his brothers on September 9, 1920. Charles M. Davenport took a correspondence wood working course from Grand Rapids, Michigan about 1912, and slowly developed a furniture huilding shop part time until the 1920's. He worked part time as a painter and carpenter .. For 40 years (from the late 1920's until 1968) he built furniture as a full-time job. His health required that he stop in 1968. He died in February, 1972 at the age of 91. The house was left to Leah Calhins who was Charles' niece and daughter of Kipe. In April, 1972 the home was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Devenport.

2 - HENRY B. MINIER, JR. HOUSE The home of Mrs. Henry B. Minier, Jr., Olcott Road was deeded Septem­ ber 11, 1869 and built by Mr. A. J. Garthwait. The home was originally much smaller than it is today. At one time, there was a water bin that was used to collect rain water outside on the second floor to be used downstairs in the kitchen. FRITZ MEYERS ARCO SPONSOR 3 - GARDNER TAVERN Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Peterson of 381 Main Street live in what was once the Gardner Tavern. Captain George Gardner, who owned a large amount of the valley at one time, built the Gardner Tavern in 1807.' The barn, which still is in back of the house, has a great many stalls where guests of the tavern could keep their horses. At one time, an earlier Masonic Lodge than the one now in existence held its first meeting on the third floor of this house. Some time after 1835 John Minier bought the land and tavern. John and his brother Samuel ran the Minier Store on Main Street. After the 1972 flood, the Petersons, while redoing the house, found stencil work on the wall in one of the bedrooms and French style old fashioned wall paper in the front hall. Antique bottles (flasks) were found under the barn floor as well.

4 - "OLD MINIER HOUSE" The house, located at 391 Main Street, was purchased by John R. and Samuel A. Minier from John Calkins in 1878. It was in the Minier family until 1965, when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Castilow. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Devenport bought the home in 1968. 5 - OLD ANNA MANNING HOUSE The Anna Manning house, located at 397 Main Street, dates back to the mid 1800's. John Griffin and his wife had a large farm there that was inherited by their daughter Anna G. Manning. Anna Manning sold the home to Mr. and Mrs. M. Horning in the 1950's and they in turn sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Devenport. The original Griffin farm included the entire Kelly Road area and most of what is now the Chemung Valley Golf Club - from Main Street to the river.

o- MASONIC HALL The first Masonic Lodge was organized iR 1810 and met in the third floor of the Gardner Tavern, Main Street. This Lodge did not last long. The second Lodge was organized in 1855 and met in the attic of Dr. Peeble's house, located on Canal Street across from the Old Methodist Church. They continued to meet there until the present Masonic Hall was built. The building was begun in 1871 and completed in 1873. The Masons began meeting in their new building in 1872. WALLFLOWER'S LTD. SPONSOR 7 - THE MINIER STORE The original Minier store on Main Street was bought from Mr. Tuttle by the present day Minier's grandfather, Samuel A. Minier in 1873. Grandfather Sam ran the store with his brother John. As time passed Henry B. Minier, Sr. took over. Henry B. Mnier, Jr. helped to run the country store with his father and brother Sam, who joined the business after he graduated from college in 1949. In 1959 a new Minier Brothers store was opened on its present site on Canal Street.

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8 - VOIGHT STORE Mr. and Mrs. Morris Voight, parents of Fred C. Voight, operated a harness shop and bakery on Main Street. The bakery was in operation in 1875. There was also a grist mill which burned down in 1909. Fred and his brother George operated the Voight's General Store up until 1948. In 1932 they built an addition on the east end of the store for hardware and dry goods. Fred also ran a photography business in the store. Fred is still alive and active in the Presbyterian Church where he has been a member for many years. He is an active Grange member with a sixty-seven year membership. • 9 - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Roswell Goff, in 1807, organized the First Baptist Churc;_h with twenty-eight members. The first services were held in homes, barns and schoolhouses. In 1827 a larger meeting house was built on the Cornelius Lowe farm and the church was known as the Baptist Tavern. It was occupied for the first time on January 19, 1828. The present First Baptist Church building on Canal Street was originally an Episcopal Church built in 1830. In 1851 the church was sold to the Baptists. Samuel Minier was instrumental in obtaining the building for the Baptists. It was moved to Canal Street where the entire church, lot and building were donated by Henry, Samuel and Telina Minier. After some remodeling by William L. Gibson of Elmira the first service was held in September, 1852. In 1854, the first Sunday School was organized. MINIER'S SUPER MARKET SPONSOR Picture photos copied with permission of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Howe.

10 - METHODIST CHURCH A Methodist Class was formed in 1825 about the time the Presbyterian Church was organized. The society had a feeble existence for several years being supplied with Circuit Preachers. In 1853, under the influence of Dr. and Mrs. W. T. Reed and the efforts of the Rev. John Nevin, the small wood frame church on Canal Street was organized with a membership of twelve. The Rev. Isaac Ketchum was the first pastor appointed by the Annual Conference. A certificate of organization dated November 14, 1853 and recorded December 16, 1853 gave the church the title of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of the Town of Big Flats. During the Rev. Stathan's ministry in 1864, the first church edifice was started. Over the years the outside appearance of the church was changed. After the passing of the horse and buggy days, the sheds which stood where the Annex was to be located, were removed. Several changes were made in the interior of the church also. Like many village churches, this one had a very spotted history of almost yearly pastoral changes and near closings. In 1922, the church was closed for two years, reopening in 1924. From that time on the church had a more steady growth. The small wood frame building (still standing in the hamlet of Big Flats housing a printing establishment) served as the Methodist Church home until October, 1962 when the congregation moved to the new, modern brick structure on Hillview Drive. A new wing was built on the church in 1973. CANAL STREET HOMES

11 - The house at 2858 Canal Street, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wool­ ever, was built approximately in 1850. In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Churcher were in residence. In 1923 it was passed on to Edna Churcher Devenport, who sold it to Homer and Alice Savey in 1958. In 1964 Arthur Devenport repurchased the house only to sell it to Mr. and Mrs. Woolever in March, 1974.

12 - PURLEY CHURCHER HOUSE The home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Devenport, 2864 Canal Street, was built by Purley and Esther Rhodes Churcher in 1893. The home passed on to Edna Churcher Devenpo~t in 1923 and to Arthur and Dudley Devenport in January, 1962. In April of that year Arthur and Dorothy Devenport bought the home from Dudley. GARDNER'S PLUMBING & HEATING SPONSOR 13 - GROOM HOUSE This home, located at 2884 Canal Street, dates back to 1856, when the land was purchased by Henry Minier from Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Reynolds. Abram Minier was the next owner. Abram sold the home to Nancy Groom, first wife of Orland Groom. When Orland died he left it to his second wife Harriet, who in tum left it to her children. As time went on it was owned by Bessie Groom Benedict, Virginia Benedict Haltin and Richard Benedict. This home was in the Groom family for over 100 years. The house was purchased in 1975 by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Devenport.

~ Chemung Canal ~ Trust Company SPONSOR 14 - D.L. & W. RAILROAD STATION This is a typical small town D.L. & W. Railroad station built in 1883; having board and batten siding, arched windows, gable roof with curved eves and brackets and pendants. There were facilities for freight and passengers combined into the single structure. Mr. Fred C. Gowan came to Big Flats to be the station agent in 1902 or 1904. His job consisted of billing shipments, selling tickets to passengers and operating the Western Union telegraph. Mr. Gowan was also an insurance agent and owned a coal business. Since trucks were not in use at that time all types of items came in by train. Coal was one of the major commodities. Delivery men would then deliver the items to stores and individuals. One of the biggest items in this area to be shipped out was tobacco; it went to tobacco companies in New York. Philadelphia and Connecticut. Mrs. Leo (Elizabeth) Storms, who lives on Hammond Street, used to work at the depot. During the depression, she was taught by the Extension Service to make · mattresses. She rented the waiting room of the station to teach others to help her make mattresses. Eventually the station was open only a few hours a day; then it closed down in January, 1963. Trucks and autos closed out our railroad station just as the railroad had the canal earlier. After the old depot had been vacant for several years, the Big Flats Jaycees tried to turn it into a teen center, under the leadership of Neil Alden. When this project failed, the Big Flats Historical Society was given the station and caboose on February 19, 1975. The Historical Society plans to remove it from its original site, off Canal Street, and restore the station to a facsimile of its original condition. BIG FLATS OFFICE 437 Maple Street ,...... ,.. ··•

15 - BIG FLA TS UNION SCHOOL In 1897 the Big Flats Grade School, later known as the Big Flats Union School, was built. Prior to the building of this school a two-room wooden school had been built on this same site in 1853. The Union School is built of brick and contains four rooms. When this was built, several nearby districts were taken into District No. 1. The first principal of the school was Mr. Levi R. Tubbs. Miss Anna Drake taught 5th and 6th grades, Miss Capitola Yawyer the 3rd and 4th and Miss Mattie Norris the primary grades (1st and 2nd). The first graduating class in 1899 received diplomas stating that they had successfully completed the work required for the 9th grade. In about 1906, the name of the school was changed to Big Flats Union School, Regent examinations were given, and two years of high school were taught. The teaching staff at this time was increased to five teachers. This was done in order to give the principal more time to supervise, according to Mrs. Manning's history, "A Brief History of the Big Flats Union School". Later on, a sixth teacher was hired and shortly afterwards, under Mr. Hildreth, a seventh teacher was added for instruction in Physical Education. In 1938, the high school was discontinued, and pupils in the district were transported to either Corning Free Academy or Northside High School in Corning. This school, still standing in the center of Big Flats, was used until con­ solidation in 1954. 16 - BACON HOUSE The Bacon House, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burt of 449 Main Street, was built about 1831. Though no one is certain they were the original owners, it is believed the home was at one time owned by Robert and Rebecca Miller. The Millers also owned the property on which the Presbyterian Church and cemetery now stands. Rebecca Miller was the second person to be buried in the cemetery - July 14, 1809. The home received the name Bacon House after Sarah Bacon who was the wife of the Baptist minister. Besides being a parsonage, this house has been used as a kindergarten class room meeting place, a library (between 1959 to 1965) and a tax collector's office.

17 - OLD UNITED METHODIST PARSONAGE The house located on Main Street next to Hungerfords was the old Methodist Church parsonage. The house was built between 1897 and 1899 by the Rev. Figles when the other parsonage burned down. The present parsonage is on the Hil1view Drive property· FRANK REYNOLDS, BUILDER SPONSOR 18 - FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats was organized September 27, 1827, and was a member of the Bath Presbytery. When the Chemung Presbytery was organized in 1836 the Big Flats Church was a member of that Presbytery. By 1892 a "flourishing Sunday School was held in Robert Miller's barn." Mrs. Robert Miller was one of the original church members according to Trustees records dated 1843. In June, 1828 the annual meeting was held in the Centre s·chool. In 1830 they met in the Union School house and Nathan Reynolds was moderator and Robert Miller secretary. They adjourned to meet the next year in the First Presbyterian Meeting House. In 1829, according to Towner's History of the Valley and County of Chemung, a church was erected by William H. Reader, assisted by his brother Austin from Pennsylvania, under the direction of Benjamin Farwell, Eleazer Owen, Nathan Reynolds, who were the building committee and probably furnished most of the means. There is a list of these names with the amount opposite their names, ranging from $100. to $200., the total of which is $1,178. This would seem to be what it cost to build the church. The County Clerk's records include a deed to the Church from Robert Miller, dated February 23, 1832, which was the lot on which the church stands. In the early period of the church, probably in the 1830's, money seems to have been raised by numbering the pews which were called slips and assigning a value to those in the center of about $75. and those on the sides of about $35. Then various members chose slips which then became their responsibility for raising the amounts which those slips represented. This was called "Meeting House Division." The first pastor was the Rev. David I. Perry in 1836 for one year. In the 1870' s efforts were made to have Baptist and Methodist Churches join with the Presbyterian in services during the week of prayer. The Baptists held out but for some years various forms of union were carried out by the Methodist and Presbyterians. In April, 1880 the presbytery met at Big Flats and the session voted special thanks to the other churches, Baptist, Methodist and Episcopal, for their assistance in housing the meetings and delegates. Membership prospered during the 1880's. The pastor's report for 1881 states that the average attendance at the morning service was 160, at the evening service 70, at prayer meeting 25 and at the out-station 60. The out-station was in a school house in East Corning where the minister, the Rev. Stanley D. Jewell, conducted services every other week, and at which there was a regu~ar Sunday School. Efforts were made for union with the Baptist Church but no conditions were given and it probably did not progress very far. Union revival services with the Methodist and Baptist Churches were held after the week of prayer in 1896. This same year the Christian Endeavor Society was organized with Mrs.• Nathan Miller as president. There was a membership of about fifty and was very active. They purchased a piano for their services and for the use of the church. There was also an organization of the young ladies called the United Workers. The manse, purchased in 1854, was renovated in 1898 by the Ladies Aid Society. In 1912 it was decided to build a new manse. The manse cost $4,353. Just prior to the depression in the 1930's the church was renovated. Much was done. The plaster was repaired and finished in a rou_gh texture. Imitation beams were put on the ceiling, arches constructed behind the pulpit and a new stairway and paneling were constructed at the front entrance. Another large pulpit chair and , the balustrades on each side of the platform were made. Most of these improvements were designed by J. Sloat Welles who also furnished much of the material and did most of the cabinet work and carving. At a special meeting of the church in 1948, authority was given the Good Will Class, which consisted of younger adults, to raise funds to build an addition to the church for use as Sunday School rooms and church parlors. Elder George M . Welles was named chairman of the planning committee. The Good Will Class raised the funds and in the beginning of the 1950's a large auditorium for church meetings, suppers and Sunday School, with a sizeably equipped kitchen and rest rooms at one end, and stage and class rooms at the other end, with another large class room below the stage was built. This addition was called the Presbyterian House. THE PRESBYTERIAN MEETING HOUSE IN 1973 As you come into this Church, you pass through the former front doors of the Painted Post Presbyterian Church, recently demolished. The inside doors and iron FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SPONSOR railings came from the same place. The chandelier was found in the attic. It dates from 1860, and originally burned kerosene. There is a matching sidewall bracket. The vestibule follows the lines of the original porch, but the floor is lower and the outside grade level has been raised so that there are no icy steps in winter. The coatracks were made and given to the Church by the late Charles Daven­ port, cabinetmaker. Inside, the balcony (circa 1900, enlarged 1925) has been removed, making the room more spacious and greatly improving the accoustics. The columns support the tired trusses that held up the north side of the steeple. All of the 1900 stained glass windows are visible now. When it was necessary, after the flood in June, 1972, to remove the siding and take out the wet insulation, the frames of a pair of rear windows were found. The windows that were behind the organ chambers were placed there. The Austin Organ had been installed in 1923 in the Endicott ·Presbyterian Church. It was given to the Big Flats Presbyterian Church in 1965. It has been rebuilt and has a new·(used) console, which sits on a dolly built by Elder Paul Schweizer. The ceilings and decoration in the main room of the church house and the sunroom were all done by volunteers. The modernfold doors are a gift of the Camillus Presbyterian Church. The rebuilding of this church in 1973, was made possible by many hours of volunteer labor, and by gifts of things and money. The congregation worked, 85 sister churches helped and help also came from the Lions Club, Rotary Clubs, and from many individuals. · FROM: "The History of the First Presbyterian Church. of Big Flats , N. Y. 1827- 1960" and The Rev. Marcy Punnett. CEMETERIES

19 - William Mapes Monument 29 - Tompkins Corners Cemetery in Village Cemetery

32 - Kahler Road Cemetery

42 - Minier Cemetery 42 - Minier Cemetery 20 - HAMMOND FARM The "Bert" Hammond Farm, located at 536 Main Street, is one of Chemung County's "Century Farms". The farm, owned ~oday by fifth generation family members - Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Rodbourne, was a dairy, tobacco and general farm built about 1840. The home of plank construction was built in a couple of stages. There are two fireplaces-one in the living room and one in the upstairs bedroom.

21 - CARPENTER FARM George Carpenter came to what is now referred to as "The Carpenter Farm" in 1852. The major commodity apparently was beef cattle. Later the farm was either given to, or bought by, William Carpenter, George's younger brother. After William Carpenter died, the farm was managed by his youngest daughter, Harriet Carpenter Taylor, for many years. The one memory that stands out in the minds of many people about this home is the fact that twenty to thirty people could be invited to dinner at ori.e time. There was a large table, big enough to sit this amount of people for holiday and special occasion "get togethers". Harriet C. Taylor died during the 1950's. Bob Hooey became the owner and constructed Suburban Acres housing development on most of the farm land. Today the home is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Max Montierth. 22 - HENRY FARR FARM The Henry V. Farr farm, located on Horseheads-Big Flats Road, was con­ structed in 1798 by Aaron Cook. It was originally a six room house, but in 1862 the kitchen and woodshed that were attached to the back of the house were moved back and an older existing building was placed in the middle. Thus it became a 14 room house. At one time there were six fireplaces in the house. Now the only two left are one upstairs in the front bedroom and one downstairs.

23-SCHOOLS There were several other schools in Big Flats. The Pine Grove School (District #6) was located on the corner of Rt. 352 and Harris Hill Road. The Farr School (District #7) was located on the corner of Rt. 352 and Kahler Road. Credit for the first school in Big Flats is given to Robert Miller who donated land in 1809. The Robert Miller School was built in 1814 of rough logs. The second school was built in 1837 and was called the Red School.

CHEMUNG VALLEY GOLF CLUB SPONSOR 24 - FARR-O'HANLON HOUSE This home has many names: 'The Brick House', the James E. Farr Estate and the Farr-O'Hanlon House. It is located on the Horseheads-Big Flats Road. The house was built between 1812-1814. Tradition states that it was built by Clark Winans and his family with bricks made in the field behind the house. This is one of the oldest remaining houses in the area. Two wooden farmhouses, also part of the family farm, have been destroyed. The Henry V. Farr farm nearby was part of the family complex-several of the sons of the original Farr owning property along the road. The Winans and Henry Farr families are among the earliest in the a ·ea. The high ceilings in the second floor are unusual for the period in this era. Most of the interior is completely original: cellar, attic, fireplaces, floors, etc. It has been in one family since the middle 1800's (encompassing seven gen­ erations). Therefore there are still many original features. A bay window on the west side was added after the Civil War. Porches were added across the front and on the west side of the house, but were removed between 1920-60. During the early 1930's, a "sleeping porch" in a closed in area on the east side of the home was added. Sometime about this same period, or earlier, the woodshed was turned into a kitchen. Eventually .bathrooms, electricity and furnaces were added. A deed of sale from John Winans to Henry Farr is recorded April 24, 1860; and Henry and Jane Farr to James Farr - January 11, 1862. James Farr left the property to his daughters Jane Farr Capron and Elizabeth Farr O'Hanlon, and the estate of Elizabeth O 'Hanlon sold it to her granddaughter, Elizabeth Farr O'Hanlon Ander­ sen - present owner. This is a truly beautiful old home with many 19th century furnishings and family portraits. 25 - OWENS HOUSE The Owens house, located on the Big Flats-Horseheads Road, is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kramer. The exact date the home was built is unknown, but it is estimated to have been constructed in the late 1700's or early 1800's. The center part of the home is original; the two wings were added at a later date. About 1930 there was a fire in the house, but fortunately very little damage was done.

26 - J. SLOAT WELLES FARM The J. Sloat Welles farm, now owned and operated by George Welles, is located on the Big Flats-Horseheads Road and is one of the "Century Farms". George Welles is the sixth generation to operate the farm. The land was deeded to George's great-great-great-grandfather, Matthias Hollenback in 1785. Matthias built the original farm house in 1792. When J. Sloat Welles got married, he built a new home on the farm where George now lives. Even though the original farm house hasn't been used in years, it is still standing. Mr. J. Sloat Welles operated the 390 acre dairy farm until his retirement in May, 1957, ending a career of nearly fifty years. - MR. & MRS. DENNIS O'CONNELL & FAMILY SPONSOR 27 - HISTORY OF THE SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION by Ginny Schweizer The Schweizer Metal Aircraft was formed in Peekskill, New York in 1935 for the manufacturing of gliders and sailplanes. With all the National Soaring Meets then held in the Chemung County area, the Schweizer brothers came every year, brought ships, and met other soaring enthusiasts.At the National Meet in 1939, they delivered a 2-8 two-place sailplane to the Soaring Society of America, and in order to complete the transaction, they had to get a bill of sale notarized by Bob McDowell, the Attorney. At that time, Mr. McDowell asked them why they did not move their plant to Elmira. Since they were starting to get orders, and the barn they were working in was naturally limited, they told him they might be interested in moving. McDowell said he would talk to the local Chamber of Commerce and other people about it. They started negotiating in the fall of 1939, and received some local support. They formed the Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and sold some stock to local individuals. They also received support from the Elmira Industries, who, in return for equivalent stock in the Company, agreed to pay the rent for two years for the top floor of the Elmira Knitting Mills' storage building. The move to Elmira came in early December 1939 with one employee, Atlee Hauck, coming with them. The first project was to• get the FAA approved type certificate on the 2-8 two-place sailplane. With sales on this model increasing, a few more employees were hired. In the spring of 1941, the Military contacted the Company about building gliders for the Army Air Force as a result of the use of gliders by the Germans in the European theater of the war. This interest was from the Navy as well as the Army, and was the start of a large expansion of the Company. More space was taken over in the Knitting Mills, and with the large military orders, the Defense Plant Corporation agreed to build a plant on the old American Airlines emergency field which was in the process of expanding into the Chemung County Airport. The plant was finished in early 1943, and the facilities were moved from the Knitting Mills on March 1, 1943. This was the first activity at the airport. Incidentally, in the early 60's the Chemung County Development Corporation was looking for some land which could be used for industrial sites. This corporation had taken over the Elmira Industries and held the Schweizer Stock which was received in return for the first two years rent in 1940 and 1941. Schweizer Aircraft Corporation had purchased the Cohan Farm which included land across County Road 38. It was arranged to swap the land for the return of the Stock. This was done, and a portion of the land was used for the Thatcher Company to build its Research Center, and the balance of the land was used as the start of the shopping area - The Mall. So, the original investment in the Schweizer Company was the basis for the start of the Industrial Park and The Mall in the Airport vicinity. The production consisted of producing steel tube fuselage gliders, the TG-2's and TG-3' s, for the military. In early 1944 when the Army Glider Program had reached its desired size, the Glider Program was discontinued; then most of the production was major subcontract work for companies such as Republic Aviation, American Aviation, Curtiss-Wright Corp., Fairchild and others. At the end of WW-II, components, rudders and ailerons for the C-82 Box Car were being produced. The development of the 1-19 and 2-22 was the start of commercial gliders. However, shortly after the war, it became evident that it would be difficult to sell enough sailplanes to keep solvent financic;1.lly since the main competition was the many two-place trainers they and three other manufacturers had built during the war. These trainers were declared surplus and dumped on the market at extremely low prices. The availability of these sailplanes at low prices enabled soaring to get a good start, but had a serious affect on glider manufacturers. Since there was not a market in the training field, a high performance, single­ place ship was put on the drawing board, and the 1-21 was developed in 1947 which won the National Soaring Meet that year. Because of the rather sophisticated nature of this ship and its higher cost, the 1-23 was designed. This sailplane was modified and the performance improved a number of times, and the production continued until 1962. However, the gliding volume was not sufficient to keep the plant on a profit­ able basis, so the subcontract work was expanded in 1948 when work with Bell Helicopter began and is continuing at this time. In the early part of the Korean War, a contract to build tow targets for the U.S. Navy was procured, as well as work with Chase Aircraft for component for their large gliders and airplanes. In 1952, the first contract was received from Grumman Aircraft to build the Mad Boom for Grumman's submarine searching airplane, the S2F. In 1957, Grumman and Schweizer signed the first contract to build the Ag-Cat: Since the cost of developing this airplane was relatively high arid sale of the Ag-Cat was relatively low, a contract was negotiated to make the tail surfaces for the Gulfstream I Corporate Airplane. At the present time, the major subcontract is the Ag-Cats for Grumman which are being produced at the rate of one per day. The Bell Helicopter wor_k which was reduced after Vietnam War, is now increasing because of the great popularity of helicopters in commercial flying. The Teal Amphibian was acquired in 1972, and this market is being investigated at the present time. The Schweizer Soaring School and National Dealer Organization has helped the growth of soaring, and the company which had a record production in 1974, expects to exceed this in 1975. The company now has an employee force of over 450 people, and the sales volume for 1975 is expected to reach nine million dollars.

FRITZ MEYERS ARCO SPONSOR 28 - HISTORY OF THE CHEMUNG COUNTY AIRPORT The Chemung County airport has made many improvements and expansions · since its inception in the late 1920's. Originally a grass field used for emergencies, it has become an important transportation center for the people of Chemung County. In 1971, it is estimated that almost a half-million people used or visited the facilities of the airport. In the 1920's, American Airways (now American Airlines) found that they needed a field to serve as an emergency landing strip on a New York to Buffalo air route. They leased about 100 acres of land in the Big Flats area for this purpose. It consisted of parts of the Juda Rowley, George Schriver and Judson Gardner farms and from that grass field a modern air faci~ity developed. In 1940, the field was designated as a Defense Landing Area by the Federal Government. Chemung County purchased an additional 239 acres, and the Federal Government installed three hard surfaced runways each 4000 feet long with lighting and drainage. In 1943, they turned the airport over to the jurisdiction of Chemung County. On January 1, 1944 Mr. Glenn S. Banfield was appointed as the first Airport Manager at Chemung County Airport. Under his direction, the airport expanded to accommodate large commercial aircraft. Modern electronic navigational aids were installed, and a new terminal and administration building was constructed. Mr. Banfield retired in Feb. 1970, after 26 years of dedicated service. In September, 1948 the first control tower was put into operation. Between 1949 and 1950, a 700 foot extension was added to the NE-SW runway to accom­ modate the larger Convair airplanes which American Airlines wanted to use. An extended taxiway was also constructed. In 1958, work was started on a new terminal building. This included a new ·control tower, passenger gates, and room for -admfriistra.tive offices . and· government services. Additional land was also purchased to make room for future expansion. In July, 1960, the new building was dedicated. Between 1961 and 1966, some major changes took place. Further runway expansion made the main runway 5600 feet long, large enough to handle some of the smaller commercial jet aircraft. Obstruction lights were built and approach areas to the main runway were cleared. An Instrument Landing System and runway approach lights were installed to bring in aircraft under poor weather conditions. Electronic weather gear, a Rotating Beam Ceilometer and a Transmissometer were added to provide more accurate information concerning weather conditions and runway visibility. More powerful runway lighting and taxiway lighting was also installed. The result of all this was that the Chemung County Airport was now capable of handling aircraft under adverse weather visibility problems and guiding them safely in to a landing. Between 1965-1968 additional hangers were constructed to house general aviation aircraft. The taxiways were widened and the apron was expanded and overlaid. Other improvements were made to the terminal with expansion of the restaurant and snack bar. The most recent addition to the facilities at the airport is an electronic direction finder located in the Flight Service Station. Put into operation on February 11, 1972, this instrument enables the airport to determine the location of an aircraft in flight by tuning into radio transmissions made by that particular aircraft. This system can thus help guide a lost airplane safely back to the airport. Reflecting the new problem of air piracy that hit the world in the late 1960's and early 1970's, a weapons detector was installed through which all boarding passengers must pass. At this writing, further runway extensions are in the planning stages to accommodate the larger DC-9's which Allegheny Airlines is using.

30 - DEO MATTOON HOUSE The Deo Mattoon home, built in 1840, is located at 3475 Sing Sing Road. At one time "Smith Valley", which is located across the road now, was part of the original farm. About seventy five years ago, the dry creek next to the house was put in by fa rmers with slips and teams of horses to prevent the nearby swamp from flooding the fa rm . DR. & MRS. CARMINE NICASTRO & FAMILY SPONSOR 31 - RHINEHART FARM The Rhinehart farm house on Sing Sing Road, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Bailey, was built about 1878. One of the Rhineharts bought the land after moving from Smithome Farms.

33 - WHEATON HOUSE The Wheaton House on Sing Sing Road dates back almost 150 years. The original builders were a family named Livesay. A road near the house now bears the Livesay name. What is now Maple Shades Acres housing development was once the Wheaton dairy farm. The farm was named Maple Shade Farm after all the beautiful Maple trees on the land. The Elmer Wheatons and their nine children moved to the farm in December, 1920. At one time there was a cupola on the top of the house from which you could see clear to Corning. The third floor was used as a ballroom in which twelve 'sets' for square dancing could dance at one time. This home, at one time, consisted of twelve rooms, but now there are only eight because some architects from Texas bought the house and removed the back part. Mr. E. Wheaton was one of the first dairy farmers in this area to have a "pen stable barn" . This was the modern way of milking cows in 1948 and was an experi­ mental process for five years. The farm included 200 acres and had 60 cows. Mr. Wheaton and his sons delivered about 2,000 quarts of milk a day to Elmira con­ sumers. I r

34 - WOLCOTT SCHOOL The Wolcott School, which is now the home of the Evenden family, is located at the corner of Sing Sing Road and Hibbard Road. In 1843 a parcel of land owned by Fred Wolcott was given to be used as a school site. Grades one through four were taught in the school.

35 - BREED HOMESTEAD Paul Whitcomb and Betsey Breed came to Big Flats in 1845, settling on a tract of some four hundred acres in the section known as Breed Hollow. His sons, James, Monroe and Cephas worked the farm which later grew to five hundred acres. The original tract was very heavily timbered and the saw-mills of Breed's Hollow were well known to the town. James and Cephas became joint owners of the land and partners in the farming and lumbering operations. The Breeds had a large apple orchard, cider mill, saw-mill and a grist mill. They also made and sold large quantities of butter, a product of the finest herd of pure-bred Jersey cows in the area. - The Elmer Eastons now live in the original Breed house. THE COMMUNITY CHURCH SPONSOR 36 - KEERYMEADE What is now Keerymeade Riding Stable, located on Route 352, was at one time owned by a member of the Minier family. No one is certain which of the Miniers lived there, but it is thought that the home, built in 1840, was owned by Elisa or Eliza Minier. The front part of the house was originally across the road and was moved and added to the original structure at a later date.

37 - SMITHOME FARMS The Rhineharts owned Smithome Farms at one time. A brick house stood on this property and was torn down. The present day Smithome Farms was built in 1878. This farm and the Rhinehart Farm were both built by the same person, Mr. McMasters or Masters. William T. Smith, grandfather of Senator William T. Smith, II was born on Smithome Farms. The property is still owned and operated by the Smith family today . 38 - FAIRVIEW MANOR Fairview Manor was built in 1812 by Clark Winans from bricks burned on the remises. The bricks were laid three deep in the exterior walls and four chimneys were added. The house still stands today on Route 352 (at one time called the Bath­ Great Bend Turnpike). Most of the homes built in this era were sturdy frame buildings made possible by the two saw mills on Sing Sing Creek. The wide hardpine floor boards of this house were probably products of the local saw mills as was the woodwork. "Norfolk iron latches, glass for the 'twelve over eight' windows, and the parts for the staircase which dominates the wide central hall were probably shipped up the river from centers of culture further south." There is structural evidence that the exterior of the home was different at one time. There might have been a Palladian door which opened onto the upper level of a two-story veranda. With the Civil War came slavery and the operation of the Underground Rail­ road. Elmira was an important station on the slaves' route to freedom. "Area citizens who strongly opposed slavery took it upon themselves to harbor the migrating Negroes and the 1812 House was one of the regular stops for escapees." "Legend maintains that a half mile kmg tunnel was constructed from the house to the river, common sense refutes that notion. Such tunnels would bring spring flood waters right back into the house." A search has found that "under the kitchen fireplace is a massive footing made of the same fieldstone as the foundation and which appears to be an integral part of it. This apparent reinforcing support, which none of the other three fireplaces has, conceals access to a small underground room dug just outside the foundations." "The escaping slaves would be hustled into the kitchen helped through a secret passage in the cold kitchen fireplace and down into the cave below.;, Then a fire would be started to mask access to the hiding place. "When it was time for the slave to move on, it would have been a simple matter to douse the. fire, invite the escapee back into the upper world and send him to the next station." There are other stories that go along with this house. One is that in the late 19th century a family moved in that kept very much to themselves. Why? They used MR. & MRS. GARY BERNHARDT SPONSOR the cave room off the kitchen fireplace to assemble a printing press to make counter­ feit money. One day the Federal Agents solved their case, but the gang eluded the government and set up their operation on an island nearby in the Chemung River. The house is now owned by Mr. Jamesson. Extracts From: "Finger Lakes Chronicle" July, 1967 by Ginny Wright.

39 - FRANK RHODES FARM Settler Thomas Rhodes built his clapboard home in 1832 on what is now Harris Hill Road. Originally there were three adjoining Rhodes farms operated by relatives, but one was sold out of the family. The remaining two are operated as one unit. The home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rhodes. Frank is the fourth generation of farm operators. Thomas Rhodes, the original settler, cleared the first land and built a log cabin. In turn, Jeremiah Rhodes and John Thomas Rhodes operated the business ahead of Frank. In January, 1967 the Rhodes farm was honored as one of the Century Farms in Big Flats. The principal occupation of the farm is dairying and poultry. The Harris Hill Glider Field and youth campsite were taken from the original farm by Frank Rhodes' parents. The family granted the right of way to the Soaring Site of Chemung County in exchange for a promise of installation of electricity on the farm. The homestead often served as a hostelry. Frank's mother would feed 200 people at one meal when some soaring event was in progress. Soaring enthusiasts from all over the world have enjoyed the farm's hospitality for over twenty years. 40 - HARRIS HILL SOARING CORPORATION Today, Harris Hill Soaring Corporation is an active and growing club dedicated to advancing the art, science and sport of motorless fl ight. A nonprofit organization, it sells sailplanes rides to the public, owns several single and two place sailplanes for club members' use, and maintains an active youth program. This was not always the case. Founded in 1937 as the Elmira Area Soaring Corporation, the group originally was primarily interested in sponsoring the many national and local soaring contests held on Harris Hill. From ;I.930, when soaring first came to this area, until 1937 the Elmira Association of Commerce had shouldered the financial and organizational responsibility of these contests. By 1937, the national contests had grown to such size and importance that the A of C needed help. EASC was formed and immediately took over the 1937 national contest. The corporation's stated aim was promoting and fostering gliding and soaring specifi­ cally in this area, and generally throughout the nation. Richard C. duPont, a soaring pilot and a member of the famous duPont familY, was the first president. In May, 1941 EASC expanded to establish a soaring school on Harris Hill. A month later the Army took over in its quest for glider pilots and EASC ran its train­ ing program. Later this project was moved to Mobile, Ala. Later the EASC formed the Southern Tier Air Group (STAG). This section of EASC owned and operated a TG-3 glider so that adults might have the opportunity to learn to soar without the expense of purchasing planes. EASC also ran the first 1-26 meets. These competitions were open to pilots of the Schweizer 1-26 sailplane, a one-design, one-class sailplane. EASC began the annual Snowbird Meet which continues to be held over the Thanksgiving week-end. In 1967 EASC legally became the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation. One of its continuing functions is to sponsor soaring contests. However, it also is a club providing a way for adult and teenage soaring enthusiasts to learn to fly without the expense of owning and maintaining their own sailplanes. Its promotion aspects include rides for the public, a special Fall Foliage Festival week-end when extra pilots are available to fly passengers at a time when the hills are especially colorful. MR. & MRS. WILLIAM SIEBOLD SPONSOR 41 - THE HISTORY OF HARRIS HILL AND THE NATIONAL SOARING MUSEUM by Meta Levin Soaring enthusiasts have been learning what they can do in the Chemung Valley since July 2, 1930. The day before Jack O'Meara arrived on South Mountain, near Elmira, from Akron, Ohio, with a Baker-McMillan Cadet II glider. A demonstration pilot for Baker-McMillan Co., O'Meara was sent to do some exploratory flights after the hills surrounding the Chemung Valley had been chosen as the site of the first National Soaring Contest. On July 2, 1930, he launched the glider from the Walsh sisters' farm, flew back and forth along the crest of South Mountain for a little more than an hour and a half, and landed at Southport Airport on Caton Avenue. He was there testing the site because of three men: Wolfgang Klemperer, a designer for the Goodyear Company, Akron, Ohio, who had been active in Germany's pioneer work in motorless flight; Warren E. Eaton, a Norwich, N.Y. , native who owned Norwich Airport; and Sherman P. Voorhess, director of schools for the General Aviation Company, based at Elmira's Southport Airfied, and chair­ man of the Elmira Association of Commerce's aviation committee. Following the National Glider Association's preliminary training camp in 1929 on Cape Cod, the group wanted to have a national contest. Representatives believed Detroit, Mich. offered a good climate for financing the enterprise, but asked Klemperer's advice. After establishing specifications, Klemperer began visiting prospective sites, the last of which was the Chemung Valley. That was it, he decided, and the National Glider Association representatives agreed. O 'Meara was one of Klemperer's proteges. Already an accomplished power pilot, he caught on quickly when Klemperer introduced him to soaring. His report of July 2nd was added confirmation of Klemperer's choice. Twenty-five pilots turned up to fly 14 gliders at the first National Glider Contest, September 21-October 5, 1930, on South Mountain. That and succeeding contests were held in various locations in the area. It was not unusual for spectators and contestants to pack up and change sites in the middle of a contest when the weather changed. 1932 marked another national soaring contest and the birth of the Soaring Society of America. The contest, July 11-24, 1932 was the society's first event. But a permanent site was needed. Prior to the 1934 meet, Eaton, Earl Southee, Franklin Iszard and others rounded up leases on land now known as Harris Hill, in Big Flats. It provided a permanent site facing the prevailing northwest wind. Later the Chemung County Board of Supervisors granted $10,000. to clear fields and make general improvements, including installation of a road to the site. The fifth annual National Soaring Contest was held in the new facilities. Lt. Henry "Hank" Harris was the first man to fly from the 150 acre field. An active member of the MIT soaring group, Harris was killed before the 1934 contest when one of the wooden wheels on a tow car he was driving collapsed. Eaton was killed later the same year in a flying accident in Florida. Both men share indentification of the site, which is officially known as the Warren E. Eaton Motorless Flight Facility. However, popular usage and alliteration has made it Harris Hill. The area further earned identification with soaring in 1937 when Ernie and Paul Schweizer won third place in a sailplane design contest established by Mrs. Eaton. The Schweizer SGU 1-6, with which they won, was noteworthy because besides its fabric covering, it was entirely made of metal. It was the first glider without any wood in it. The Schweizer brothers and a third brother, Bill, now operate Schweizer Aircraft Corporation in Big Flats, near the Chemung County Airport. Since that time Harris Hill has been inextricably connected with soaring. With the realization that the sun warming the earth, making air rise, provides lift, soaring became a nationwide sport. However, the historical beginnings are at Harris Hill, which is why the National Soaring Museum is there. In 1968 a group of soaring enthusiasts made plans for the first National Soaring Museum on Harris Hill. Many of those who discussed the museum idea in 1968 had been involved near or at the Harris Hill beginnings. The original committee included Paul, Ernie and Bill Schweizer, Tony Doherty, Jim Gray, Ned Kelley, E. Barnett, John Murphy, Roy Speecher, Ron Ogden, John Miller, Roy McMaster, Archer Martin, Frank Hurtt, Dale Gustin, R. Squires, A. Bywater, Heinz Weissenbuehler, M. Santone and Ted Sprague. For many years Harris Hill had been billed as the Soaring Capital of the Nation. Claim to that title was tenuous since the national contests, once held almost exclusively on Harris Hill, are now rotated in other parts of the country. Other soaring sites have been promoting their conditions. On July 22, 1969, the museum opened in the Harris Hill administration build­ ing with 35 exhibits. By the end of the first month more than 3,000 people had visited. Also in 1969 the Soaring Society of America chose Harris Hill as the official museum site, and in February of the same year the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation became the preliminary proprietors of the museum. NSM came into its own May 12, 1972 when it officially incorporated as a tax exempt, educational institution. It had operated three years as an organization associated with HHSC. NSM's popularity was growing and in December, 1972, a part time secretary­ clerk was hired to take care of the SSA film library (which had been operating out of the museum's facilities since August, 1971), and NSM and HHSC business. The search also was on for a professional museum director. The need for a new building was apparent by that time. In October, 1973 NSM asked the New York State Urban Development Corporation to assist it in developing a program and plans for constructing a new soaring museum. UDC offered technical assistance up to $10,000. From this a proposed program was drawn up. Plans also have been established for a new building to sit where the youth camp swimming pool is now, at the end of the HHSC runway. From this building visitors would be able to watch the sailplanes fly overhead. The new building also would provide space to exhibit full scale planes of the past and present - many of which are waiting in storage. A new national fund drive is planned to build this facility, which should become a major attraction in the area. In the meantime, NSM is rapidly outgrowing its present facility. It has become a popular place for school and tourist groups. Special programs are under develop­ ment to accommodate them. In support of these and other museum programs, such foundations as the New York State Council on the Arts, the Corning Glass Works Foundation and Ingersoll-Rand have been major contributors to the museum. The museum staff also has grown from two to four, with additional help during the summer season.

43, 44 and 48 - TROLLEY BRIDGES

45 - STANLEY WOODS - GIRL SCOUT CAMP Rufus Stanley, born in Johnsville, Michigan in 1859, came to Elmira as general secretary for the YMCA in 1885. · In 1900 Mr. Stanley bought a farm of 46 acres from Bennett Road to the Chemung River in the Town of Big Flats to provide a site for the Boys' Omega Club activities. The object of the club was to give city boys of limited means the opportunities of country boys (to work, make things and grow things). Although this club was an off-shoot of the "Y" program (as were other boys' and girls' clubs founded by Stanley) in 1914 all were amalgamated under the Chemung County Achievement Club. His programming ideas were used in founding the 4-H. Girl Scouting began in Elmira with two troops in 1917. The first summer a Gir1 Scout camping program was held at Stanley Woods was 1922. In 1926 Rufus Stanley died. Stanley Woods was purchased by Mrs. J. Sloat Fassett. It was operated by the Federation for Social Service and used principally by the Boy and Girl Scouts. The Boy Scouts built an Adirondack shelter on the site. In 1930 the first summer day camp at Stanley Woods was sponsored by the Elmira Girl Scouts. In 1933 Mr. Louis Lowman built a log cabin for the Girl Scouts at Stanley Woods. Sometime between 1933-34 Boy Scout activities were transferred to their council owned campsite. Plans were developed for Girl Scout cabin camping at Stanley Woods. The deed to Stanley Woods property was obtained for the Elmira Girl Scout Council in 1948 by ten Elmira businessmen. The council embarked on providing year-round facilities for camping there. In 1953 a memorial boulder and bronze plaque were placed at the entrance to Camp Stanley Woods by the 500 members of the Stanley Memorial Association. The Elmira Sertoma Club renovated the log cabin in 1958 and in 1962 a two­ story addition was built to the Troop House. This was destroyed by fire in 1968. In 1969 the present Troop House was built and dedicated. This same· year Penn-York and Tiotomca Councils merged with the Seven Lakes Girl Scout Council. In 1975 an addition was built on the Troop House for office space for the South Service Center. 46 - MOUNT SAVIOUR MONASTERY In January, 1951 a founding group of four monk-priests, with financial help from five friends, purchased the three adjacent farms oh Madigan Road, namely, the Hofbauer, Schurstedt (formerly Keller) and Harding (formerly Madigan) farms. On March 29, 1951 two of the monks arrived to prepare the Schurstedt house for occupancy. In mid-April, work was begun by the contractor, a Mr. Mitchell of Elmira. On May 10 the founding group: Frs. Damasus Wizen, Gregory Borgstedt, Placid Cormey and Bernard Bums, began community monastic life together in the Schurstedt house. Interested young men began to arrive, having read publicity articles in Catholic newspapers. By summer, there were probably ten or twelve youths in residence at the new monastery. The Hofbauer House was ready for occupancy on - July 5, 1951, as a temporary building. The Schurstedt house was vacated to be used as a guest-house. Bishop James Kearney came on August 6 of 1951, which is the Feast of the Transfiguration - the patronal feast of Mt. Saviour, to bless the monastery build­ ing and the site where the chapel would later be constructed. Six assorted dairy cows and three Black Angus heifers were the beginning of the dairy farm enterprise on January 8, 1952. On June 20, work was begun on the chapel designed by architect, J. Sanford Shanley of New York City, and blessed by Fr. Damasus on August 16, 1953. The crypt, or basement, was finished in Septem- ber. · Excavation work was begun on May 25, 1954, for the foundations of the new temporary monastery buildings, which would later become the men's guest-house. The building, called St. Joseph's, was finished and blessed on August 19, 1956 by Fr. Damasus. In April, 1959, a new dairy barn was begun and finished on December 1. The Sigler (formerly Hemenway) house and land was _purchased in September and opened as St. Gertrude's guest house for female guests in July, 1961. Work on the construction of the permanent monastery buildings were begun by Welliver Construction Company on May 16, 1963 and finished and opened to the public for inspection September 13-14, 1964. 47B - THE CHEMUNG CANAL In 1829 the legislature in Albany passed laws which provided the building of the Chemung Canal at a cost not to· exceed $300,000. The work was finished on May 18, 1833 and the canal was opened for traffic in October, 1833. A Feeder Canal began on the Chemung River at Gibson and ran sixteen miles to Horseheads. Flood gates built at Gibson regulated the water supply from the river into the Feeder Canal. Three locks were necessary in the Feeder for the drop to the Horseheads level. The purpose of the feeder was to supply the Chemung Canal with water from the Chemung River. The wooden dam across the river at the head of the feeder was 645 feet long and seven and one-half feet high. A chute in the dam was constructed to permit rafts and arks (a type of barge) to pass. Much timber was sent down the river on these rafts. Heavy rains on May 5, 1867 put the canal out of commission until October of that year. In 1870, a flood destroyed the Gibson Dam and it had to be rebuilt the next year. Considerable damage was done to the dam in the 1883 flood. At one time before its abandonment in 1878, the Feeder Canal through Big Flats conveyed more tonnage than the main canal. The toll house was located at Horseheads because it was at the junction of the feeder with the main canal. The collector of tolls was kept very busy, since clear­ ances were made out at all hours of the day and night. The highway superintendent of the time was charged with the duty of checking the speed of canal boats, which was limited by law to 4 m.p.h. Along the canal and Feeder Canal was a tow path, and the canal boats were pulled along by mules and/ or horses. There wen~ bridges across the canal to change the animals from one side to the other.

FROM: 150 Years Big Flats, N . Y. Sesquicentennial Edition and "Chemung County" - Its History 47A - ROUTE OF THE FEEDER CANAL "Beginning at the depression in the land behind the present-day Horseheads Grange, we find it was once a place where the canal boats were tied up. The Feeder Canal continued on through where the Horseheads swimming pool now stands, south of the cemetery. It followed the foot of the hill where the Par 3 Golf Course now is and crossed over just this side of Phil Kuster's Junk Yard on the north side between the house and the junk yard. The Feeder Canal continued over next to the railroad track. (The railroad was built in 1850, after the canal.) It followed what is now t~ Erie Railroad tracks to Sing Sing Creek by the Howard Voorhees farm. The canal went south of their buildings and swung through Lowe's Pond. The Feeder Canal continued on south of the present-day Marion Rhodes farm buildings and crossed what is now Rt. 17 between the present Dairy Freeze and Farr's Car Wash, and on through that field to the other side of Ledfords. It then crossed Hillview Drive to Olcott Road just below Henry Minier's home and along the left side of Davenport Road. The Canal then followed next to the hill on the level and crossed Goff Road at Hickling Heights and through the back of the Ray Rhinehart property to Gibson."

FROM: 150 Year Big Flats , N. Y.; Susquicentennail Edition by Pam Farr • I 111111 HILL 110. I I

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SOURCE = CHEMUNG COUNTY PLANNING------BOARD , US GS MAPS N.Y.I. ROUTE 17 - CHEMUNG RIVER ~ TOWN OF BIG FLATS COUNTY HIGHWAYS - CREEICS ------TOWN ROADS - FEEDER CANAL • • • • • • "HERITAGE TRAIL MAP" MINOII IIOAOI ----­ MAJOR ■ RIDGES ~ IOAIIDIIII -·-·-·- A BICENTENNIAL PROJECT