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