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.