by Old Mentz | Feb 14, 2020 | Uncategorized
If you ever wonder what it is we do at Lock 52 Historical Society, here is a recap and overview. [pdf-embedder url=”https://portbyronhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lock-52-newsletter-2020.pdf”]
by Old Mentz | Dec 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
When a genealogist or researcher needs to find information about their subject, they will typically turn to the old newspapers. In the old days, before computers and the internet, this meant a trip to the library and visually scanning each paper for a mention or a...
by Old Mentz | Dec 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
On October 26, the Lock 52 Historical Society held a tour of selected graves in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. We had a very nice and interested crowd and we thank everyone who showned up. We look forward to doing more of these. We visited the grave of John Spaulding who...
by Old Mentz | Dec 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
Sometimes the most simple of objects can lead us down a interesting path. I recently received a photo of a earthenware jug from our friends at the Canal Society of New York State with the stamp; “Smith and Ross- Port Byron Dealers in Dry Goods- Groceries- Crockery-...
by Old Mentz | Aug 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
By Anita Messina The Denmans, Genevieve Mae, her husband Charles and their daughter Cheryl Mae were moving to their new home at the farmstead owned by Charles’ parents, D Lulu and Jesse Denman. The pick-up truck was full to overflow with their possessions....
by Old Mentz | Aug 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
(Note that this will be the Citizen Column for August 18th.) It has been a bit since we had a historical society update and there has been a lot going on. The image I have chosen is an mid nineteen-teens postcard view of the cemetery and the Soldiers Monument. Things...
by Old Mentz | Jul 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
In the April 1947 issue of Ebony magazine you will find a very nice photo of downtown Port Byron. It seems an odd place to find such an outstanding photo as Ebony was, and is, a magazine for the African-American market. I would never have seen this photo except that I...
by Old Mentz | Jun 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
At 3:48pm, on Monday the 14th of November, 1910, Port Byron became the “best lighted village in the state.” It was likely not too bold a claim, as it was the latest village in the state to have installed street lights, eighty in total. Although the village had been...
by Old Mentz | May 4, 2019 | Uncategorized
By Anita Messina John Seamans, nine years old, finished the last of his cold cereal, listening. He listened for a nearby screen door to fling open and slam shut. That was his signal that the first of the Pine Street kids was on his bike and headed for the cemetery for...
by Old Mentz | Mar 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
It is spring and soon the crack of bats, the loud voices of the coaches, (some might call it yelling), the call of “hey batteeeer!”, and the cheers of the parents will fill the air as Little League once again returns to the Green Street fields. It is a spring time...
