by Old Mentz | May 17, 2020 | Uncategorized
It would be safe to say that June 1, 1853, would have been a momentous day in Port Byron. It was on that date that the New York Central Railroad began service along their direct route which connected Rochester and Syracuse. This new route between the two cities...
by Old Mentz | Apr 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
The idea that schooling was for everyone, and not just the wealthy, dates back to the beginning of the country. In 1787, Alexander Hamilton spoke about the need for the common school, and this was echoed by Governor George Clinton, that everyone should have access to...
by Old Mentz | Mar 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
On Monday June 28, Mr. and Mrs. Herrick C. Slack, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage, which occurred at Savannah, N.Y., June 28, 1849. They were married by Rev. David Ferris, then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in that village. Both Mr....
by Old Mentz | Mar 21, 2020 | Uncategorized
There is a photo in our Lock 52 Historical Society archives that shows the downtown area of Port Byron festooned with flags, bunting, and banners saying; “Welcome Brave Boys.” What we are seeing is the village in preparation for the August 1909 Northern Central New...
by Old Mentz | Mar 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
Sixty Four Years of Married Life Born in Mentz – Married in Mentz William Graham and Wife Celebrate the Anniversary of Their Marriage. Both in Good Health, Have Lived More Than Three Fourths of a Century and Witnessed the Wonderful Progress of Events The subjects of...
by Old Mentz | Feb 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
Being the husband of a good and true Episcopalian, I have always had a soft spot for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Port Byron. The church was long gone before I ever came to town, but the few photos of it show a very attractive, yet small Victorian Shingle style...
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-...