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...
