May 24, 1962 New Restaurant Is Opened On Geneva Street

       The May 24, 1962, Interlaken Review noted, “Interlaken has a new restaurant, opened recently by Mr. and Mrs. Nick Candido at their home on Geneva St. The Candidos will specialize in Italian Cuisine. The building was formerly Roarks Hotel, back in the heyday of Railroad. Located directly across Geneva Street from the Lehigh Station, the hotel became a landmark of this area.”

Looking between the pillars you can see

the Roarke Hotel in the background.

Interlaken Historical Society photo #453.

       I was able to find a number of references to the Roarke Hotel or sometimes Hotel Roarke in the Farmer Review. March 16, 1901, “Fox chase at Farmer this afternoon at 3 o’clock. Headquarters at Hotel Roarke.” October 5,1901, “Hotel Roake has been greatly improved by a coat of paint applied by Johnson & VanDusen.”

       April 24, 1903, “John Marshall has moved from Hayt’s Corners to Farmer and opens Hotel Roarke on May 1^st.”

       The Interlaken Review listed the Bell Telephone customers in Interlaken in the April 7, 1905, issue. Included in that list, “Hotel Roarke now has a Bell ‘phone.”

       A new sidewalk was installed in May 1907, Interlaken Review May 31, 1907, “Thos Briggs has completed a cement walk for C. K Yates, on Geneva Street extending from Hotel Roarke thru to Cayuga street…”

      

1910 Sanborn map showing the former Roarke Hotel

       The Hotel would change hands over the years, retaining the Hotel Roarke name. Michael Roarke died on May 30, 1928. His obituary in the Interlaken Review June 1, 1928, did not mention the Hotel, but it would be part of the settlement of his estate. Interlaken Review January 10, 1941, “Notice of sale as part of the last will of Michael Roark, ‘Such premises being known as the Roarke Hotel’…”

       Some locations retain their earlier designation after ownership or business use have changed. On May 21,1937, Under the headline “Local Fire Department Answers Two Alarms” a second alarm occurred when “fire was discovered in rooms occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Lester Covert, in the south part of the former Hotel Roarke near the Lehigh Valley station.” The article continued, “The flames were confined to the kitchen and one room on the second floor, and except for the fact that an abundant supply of water was available from a nearby hydrant, probably would have destroyed the entire structure.” This was the first reported use of the new village water system in fighting a fire.

       Even into the 1940s, the Hotel was still a known landmark. Interlaken Review August 25, 1944, “James Drake has purchased the vacant lot…just north of the former Hotel Roarke and plans to erect a feed store on the site as soon as possible.” A few years later, the feedstore would be purchased and become the Interlaken Pennysaver offices.

       Do you recall dinning at Interlaken’s Italian Restaurant? Some memories linger for many years, often seeking an outlet to share. In trying to find out more about Candidos Restaurant I was able to trace the history of another of Interlaken’s older buildings.

       While there were a few other references to the restaurant, the one ad I found was this Christmas ad from the December 23, 1965, Interlaken Review.

       Antonio “Nick” Candido was born February 23, 1903, in Italy. He died October 21, 1981, and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Ovid. He was a Korean War veteran. [www.findagrave.com]

 

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, May 24, 1949, Temperature 58 degrees, rain. Light rain again this morning. Bunny, Leland and I tried bullhead fishing, no luck. Tried night fishing tonight. They bit for an hour until the wind blew us off the lake. I caught 2 at night, small ones for the 1^st of the season.

 Darling Restaurant May 10, 2024

       Have you found yourself looking at the “Can you Spot the Difference” puzzles and found most of the items, but not all? Today, we have two photos taken within minutes of each other, but can you spot the difference.

       Photo #2197 was given to the Interlaken Historical Society many years ago. It is taken in front of the Darling Restaurant, formerly located at 8379 Main Street. The heading on the photo is rather interesting, “Interlaken round table about 1950.”

       In 2004, photo 2197b was given to the Historical Society. I instantly recognized what it was. Back to the question of spotting the differences:

       In the first photo the full front and sign of the building are shown, and the men identified. Well, all but one gentleman, second from the right. There is a question mark for his name. Most likely we will never know who he was.

       In the second photo Mr. Unknown is replaced with Myron Bassette. Myron was known for taking multiple photos of events. If he wanted to be in the photo, he would ask someone walking by, a bus driver or delivery driver, to step into the photo. In turn Mr. Unknown would then take the second photo with Myron present.

       Who were these gentlemen? John Kellogg was the Interlaken Postmaster. Bill Wheeler was a director and teller at the Bank. Lou Bell owned and managed Lake View Stock Farms. When Myron died in 1961, Mr. Bell, a member of the board, was appointed interim president. Dr. Edgar W “Doc” Thompson was the local dentist, and president of the Chamber of Commerce. Clare Wyckoff had the insurance agency and served on the bank’s board of directors. Don Hanford had the hardware store at the corner of West Ave and Main Street. Myron Bassette was president of the Wheeler National Bank, and Howard Peterson owned Peterson Dry Goods Store. It would truly be a roundtable for discussions when they met.

       A more recent addition to the Historical Society collection is this plate, given by Phyllis Betzler. The note she attached to the plate tells the rest of the story. “One of the plates from Ida and Bert Darling’s Restaurant. Ida gave [several] to Mother (Dorothy Wickes) after she moved to Blanche Millage’s apartment. Mother took meals to Ida on these plates.”

Dewitt’s Diary Saturday, May 10, 1924: Partly cloudy and fair today. Father, Francis and I went to Ithaca. We fished a little in the canal while father had the fender on his car fixed. We brought back one of the wagon wheels which we are having new tires put on. I caught one sucker in the canal. Mr. Predmore, Francis, and I went spearing tonight in Sheldrake creek. We got 21 suckers which weighed 46 lbs. Francis speared one sucker that weighed 4 lbs.

Father is D.C. Bassette Sr., Francis is Dewitt’s youngest brother, and Mr. Predmore is Dewitt’s father-in-law. Myron is the oldest of the four Bassette brothers, sons of D.C. and Catherine Bassette.

For more about the Darling Restaurant building see November 7, 1914, First Silent Movie in Interlaken

 Thursday, April 18, 2024 Then and Now

In response to a request for a picture of the old theater building on Main Street and the Library parking lot, I decided to give you a few views, Then and Now, along that stretch of Main Street.

Then, the Theater building

Theater building with a slice of the telephone company building and, on the right, a bit of the library

Now, with the theater removed. The parking lot with the north side of the telephone company and the addition on the south side of the library.

Then, the Library was originally the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Hinman. As such it had a front porch overlooking Main Street. When the home was sold after Mrs. Hinman died the new owner added a second story to the porch. In 1922 a grandson repurchased the home and gave it to the Village for the Library. The two-story porch was removed as part of that process.

1976 photo taken as part of the Bi-Centennial Between the Lakes book.

Now, the Library building with its Children’s Room addition and the new front porch, built on the footprint of the original family home porch.

Then, the Symonds home was also the telephone company offices.

That building was torn down in 1955 to make room for the new telephone building.

Now, the Interlaken Historical Society has their Community Life Museum in the former office.

One building has had few changes over the years, the Masonic Hall. The lower floor has had a variety of businesses, while the second floor houses the meeting and dining room.

Then, for most of us, the last building was known as the Liquor Store with various owners over the years. Originally there was an open front porch on the family portion of the building.  Later the porch was filled in.

Now, a residence.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at a bit of Then and Now on Main Street. Another time I’ll take a look at other sections of Main Street. All Then photographs are from the Interlaken Historical Society collections, the Now photographs were taken by the author.

Dewitt’s Diary Friday April 18, 1924, Ray and I and Charley went fishing in Ithaca. I caught three suckers in the creek up there. It rained all day. We all got wet some. Too cold to fish much yet—the wind swung into the north tonight at dark.

Today we've seen buildings which were significantly changed by human design. On April 18, 1916, a fire destroyed the building on the southwest corner of Orchard and Main Street. You can read more by clicking on the date. 

 

 

 Interlaken Grange Celebrates Their 50^th Anniversary April 12, 1924

       Interlaken Review, Friday April 11, 1924, reported on the plans being made to celebrate the Grange’s 50^th anniversary.

       The following week, April 18, 1924, the paper had a multi-column report on the proceedings. The paper reported that the day began with “A reception and social time filling the morning hours. Dinner was served at noon to 325 Grangers and visitors. The Grange orchestra furnished music during the dinner hour.”

       The number of dignitaries came from around the state and represented the current year officers from the State and County levels. The current Master [President] of the Seneca County Grange was E.P. Cole. He was also present at the organization of the Interlaken Grange fifty years ago, 1874.

       The article listed well over 50 people. A few of those involved in the afternoon program were current Interlaken Grange members, including Master Howard Bassett who gave a welcoming address. The history of Interlaken Grange was presented by W.W. Severn.

       Another local Grange member was Fred J. Freestone. In 1924 he was serving as Overseer (the 2^nd highest officer after the Master). In the years following, he would become the State Master.

       “Two of our charter members have been spared by the scythe of time and were present, Brother Marion Rappleye of Interlaken and Ansel Austin of North Tonawanda.” It was also noted that Mr. Rappleye was a Past Master of Interlaken Grange and still an active member.

       One highlight of the afternoon was the song, “Haymakers and Dairymaids,” performed by members in costume. As with many Grange events, the afternoon closed with all singing, “God be with You.”

       In giving the history Mr. Severn noted, “Farmer Village Grange, No. 160, Patrons of History, was organized on April 2nd, 1874, at the Masonic rooms in the Mann building, with twenty-two charter members…W.W. Boorom was elected the first Master, William Ditmars secretary.” In 1910 they changed the name to Interlaken Grange.

       In 1924 the Interlaken Grange had a membership of 326 and was one of the very active Granges in the county, having had the highest average attendance for the past two years. That was not always the case. Starting with the 22 charter members, they had fifteen additional members join that first year.

       In the fifty years since the organization, Mr. Severn reported, “We have had 22 Masters, nine are deceased and thirteen still living.” The newspaper article listed all the Past Masters. The report included, Wm. W. Boorom who was in the chair the longest, 7 years, and our present secretary, Ida Goodwin, has served the longest, 13 years.”

       When you consider the population of the area, and the fact that Lodi and Ovid both had their own Granges, it is very interesting that in those 50 years they initiated 615 members and received by membership transfer 63. Mr. Severn concluded his remarks with, “You can now see how tall oaks from little acorns grow.”

       This year Interlaken Grange and many other local Granges will be celebrating their 150^th anniversary.

 Dewitt’s Diary Saturday April 12, 1924, 50^th Anniversary of the Grange today. We did not go to the Big Dinner. Over 350 there. There was not enough room to turn around. Edna went with Mother this evening while I went over and got Eve. [Eve is Edna’s sister.]

 

To read the entire article and see all the names, click here. Interlaken Review, Friday, April 18, 1924 page 3

 A Fishing Story, April 1, 1949

       April 1^st is a date many connect with April Fools Day while others recall or plan for the start of trout fishing. And what is more enjoyable than seeing someone holding a fish they have caught? Just look at Facebook and you can see all manner of catches. My favorite is this picture of my granddaughter holding an early morning catch.

        My great-uncle, Dewitt Bassette, was an avid fisherman and his diaries contain many references to fishing, catches and who he went fishing with.

       On March 29, 1949, he recorded, “Rode to Montour Falls and Millport with Bunny H to see rainbow trout in Catharine Creek. It was a grand sight. Hundreds of fish and they were big.”

       Catharine Creek, between Montour Falls and Millport in Schuyler County, has long been a favorite spot for many on opening day of trout season.

       A few days later, April 1, 1949, Dewitt recorded, “two inches of snow on the ground. Went to Catharine Creek with Bunny, Ed Hayward, Jim Wilkins. I caught two fine trout, 8 pounds 8 ounces and 4 pounds 8 ounces. I lost four others. Bunny caught one and Ed caught one, 3 and 2½ pounds. Wilkins and Bunny each lost one. A great day.”

       Great catches were not unusual for Dewitt. The May 12, 1939, Interlaken Review noted, “Dewitt Bassette of Interlaken was awarded first prize at the Seneca County Fish and Game Banquet Tuesday night at Lodi. The prize was for landing the largest small mouth bass. Mr. Bassette’s catch weighed 4 pounds and 14 ounces.” He caught the bass in August 1938 fishing near Interlaken Beach on Cayuga Lake as noted in the Interlaken Review August 12, 1938.

       Over the years the number of people out fishing and the activities of the Department of Conservation in releasing fish and monitoring them has changed. People still flock to Catharine Creek for the opening days. You will also find food vendors along the way.

       And that fish that Dani caught a few years ago? After taking the picture the fish went back in the water, to swim and may be caught again. Such are the memories of youth and fishing. 

Dewitt’s Diary April 1, 1950, Leland and I went to Catharine Creek this morning. Thousands of fishermen and no fish caught that I saw. There was so many fishermen that they were in each other’s way all along the creek.

 March 21, 2024 Springtime Sidewalks

       The current Spring like weather encourages us to get out and walk. In walking around the village of Interlaken you often find at the crosswalks of the older sidewalks, “T Briggs Interlaken, NY”. Who was Thomas Briggs?

        “A new cement walk has been laid in front of I.B. Weager's new house.” [Interlaken Review June 3, 1910] The article continued listing those who had applied for new cement walks, “John Dickerson, Thomas Briggs on Cayuga street; W.E. Peterson and the Reformed church parsonage, thus completing the north side of Orchard Street; Ford Rappleye, Lewis Covert, James Switzer and Thos. Freestone, on West Avenue. Mr. Freestone intends to continue the walk from the corporation line to and around his residence.” Once those walks were completed, there would be “two short pieces of poor walk on the north side of West Avenue, and it is believed they will fall in line and thus complete the longest and best strip in the village, this year.” These sidewalks were the work of Thomas Briggs.

       Mr. Briggs did more than build sidewalks in the village. Interlaken Review August 29, 1913, “Thomas Briggs had his horse drop dead while returning from Kidders last Saturday evening, where he is building a sea wall for Owen DeWitt.”

       Mr. Briggs was also involved with larger projects which remain in use today. Interlaken Review September 4, 1914, “The contract for building a vault in Lake View cemetery has been let to Thomas Briggs at $900. The building is to be of concrete, with a slate roof.”

       Two months later, Interlaken Review October 30, 1914, “The vault being constructed by Thomas Briggs in Lake View Cemetery is nearing completion. In fact, all that remains is the fitting of the large iron doors, which have not yet arrived. It is a nice job and looks well.”

       As you enter the cemetery, the Chapel is directly in front of you. Interlaken Review March 16, 1923, “The late Madison Covert bequeathed a sum to Lake View Cemetery for a memorial chapel to be erected in the cemetery. On Tuesday the trustees let the contract to Thomas Briggs and Frank Kennedy. The designs for this building were drawn up by A.D. Chadwick of Ithaca. The building will be located at the foot of the hill, facing the entrance, and will be put up this summer.”

       The Village of Interlaken Minute Book records a Special Meeting held on October 10, 1928. Several residents of Knight and Mechanic Streets met with the board requesting water for fire protection service for their streets. The minutes note, “Thomas Briggs to figure the cost of a reservoir for this.” There are payments made to Mr. Briggs shown in the minutes for 1929 but no further discussion.

       The Interlaken Review, October 11, 1929, had an article praising the work for the new reservoir.

       “Thomas Briggs, 58, died Friday, January 24th, 1930, at his home in Interlaken, after an illness of several weeks. Mr. Briggs was born in the town of Covert and with the exception of a few years spent in the west, had lived his entire life in this section, where he was widely and favorably known.” Interlaken Review January 31, 1930.

       He had served on the village board as street commissioner. In reflecting on all he had done for the community, the obituary noted, “evidence of his careful work will long exist.” Given his death in January the article concluded, “Vault burial at Lake View.” In the spring he was buried on the family lot.

       Wheeler A. Bassett wrote many items for the Review often adding much to a simple obituary or news item. This was very evident in the January 31, 1930, Interlaken Review:

     I am sure that I bespeak the voice of every citizen of Interlaken when I say that we deeply deplore the loss of our fellow citizen, Thomas P. Briggs. His has been a peculiarly useful and busy life. His name will long be remembered for it is written on every street in our village. Through his skillful work our village has been beautified and made more safe for everyone who walks its streets. What proved to be the last and crowning work of his life was the water reservoir built last fall on West Avenue. As one who watched the work as it progressed day by day, I can truly say that Mr. Briggs spared himself no effort in making this what we trust will be a great and lasting success. And the thought comes to us all that he possibly overtaxed himself at this time and brought on his untimely death. W. A. B.

       As you enjoy these springlike days and walking in the village or visiting the cemetery, I hope you will pause and recall Mr. Briggs for his work.

Dewitt’s Diary Friday, March 21, 1924, Cloudy and still this morning. Leon W. and I are working in the woods. I am freshening up my buzz pile today. The ground froze hard last night. Today is the first day of spring.

Snippet January 4, 1923 The Chapel at Lake View;
December 18, 1914 Receiving Vault

 Girl Scout Sunday, March 12, 1962

       In the collection of the Interlaken Historical Society are two boxes of memorabilia relating to the Interlaken Girl Scouts. These were donated by Kitty Ritter and Mary Willers, both longtime leaders.

March 12, 1964 Girl Scout Sunday bulletin insert

       For many years Girl Scout Week and Girl Scout Sunday were held in October. Interlaken Review October 28, 1949, “Sunday, October 30^th, marks the opening of Girl Scout Week. Girl Scout Week is celebrated every year during the week of Juliette Low’s birthday, October 31^st. Juliette Low, the Founder of the Girl Scouts in the United States, announced the beginning of the movement in March, 1912.”

       Later in the article it noted, “On Sunday, the Girl Scouts and Girl Scout Committee of Interlaken will begin their activities by attending the 10:30 service at the Baptist Church. Last year this service was held at the Interlaken Reformed Church.”

       Interlaken Review, October 27, 1950 “The week opens with Girl Scout Sunday, emphasizing that all Girl Scouts attend church in uniform.”

       At the Girl Scout national convention in the fall of 1953, “the dates of Girl Scout Week were changed to coincide with the annual celebration of the Girl Scout Anniversary on March 12.” Trumansburg Free Press, March 5, 1954.

       That article continued, announcing the dates for “Girl Scout Week, March 7-13. According to the president of the local Scout Executive Committee, this will be the first time that Girl Scout Week will be observed in March. Previously Girl Scout Week occurred in October.”

       Interlaken Review March 7, 1957, “Area Girl Scouts will join more than two million scouts across the country in observing Girl Scout Week, March 10 through 16…The week-long celebration commences with Girl Scout Sunday when Scouts will attend churches in uniform, with their leaders.”

       March 11, 1965, Under the Headline, “Girl Scouts Attend Rally, The Interlaken Girl Scouts and adult volunteers will observe Girl Scout Sunday, March 14. Go to the church of your choice.”

       Many of the articles announcing Girl Scout Week included lists of the girls and their rank along with the adult volunteers. One photograph in the March 12, 1964, Interlaken Review showed a group of Scouts serving refreshments at the P.T.A. meeting. Shown are Phyllis Boyes, Sue Bell, Midge Larsen, Carol Adams, Carol Barber, Doris Swartout, Sephanie Adams, Sharon Jackson, Roxie Waid, and Mrs. Barb [Paul] Adams.

       Several of the girls from the Interlaken troops also participated in larger national events. Margaret Willers attended the 1962 Girl Scout Senior Roundup at Button Bay, VT. The Historical Society has her “trading hat” from the event.

       Also in the collection is a copy of the letter written in December 1964 notifying Joan Leary and others that they had been selected to attend the 1965 Senior Roundup at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, representing the Tiotomca* Area Girl Scouts.

      After sharing a draft copy of this snippet with Joan Leary Young she shared a photo of herself in a 1935 uniform and Wendy Hanford in a 1929 uniform that they wore to school to help celebrate Girl Scout Week. Thank you, Joan.

       Included on the back of the 1964 church insert was the Scout Promise. It also noted that in the Tiotomca Area Council there were 3,300 girls.

       For all of those who were and still are involved in Girl Scouts, we have to say “thank you” to the adults who assisted along the way, many of them our mothers.

Dewitt’s Diary Wednesday, March 12, 1924: Edna ironed today. Cold northwest gale today. I trimmed trees this morning. Edna, Leland and myself went down to Mother’s tonight. Francis has been adding another “tube” to his Radio set. It sure makes it much better. All stations much louder.

Editor’s notes: *Tiotomca stood for the counties that made up the council, Tioga, Tompkins and Seneca.

In Dewitt’s Diary, Mother is Catherine Petterson Bassette wife of D.C. Bassette, and Francis is Dewitt’s youngest brother.