Planes, trains and education were among the big local newsmakers during May of 1946.
As The Oneonta Star of May 23, 1946 told readers, “Definite action in the city’s move for a modern airfield was taken by Earle P. Elmore, chairman of the Municipal Airport committee, following enactment of a federal law providing 50 per cent aid for approved flying fields.”
It would be another 20 years before a modern airport opened for business in the town of Laurens, but this was a start, with many changes in plans during the span of time.
“Mr. Elmore sent a letter to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, Washington, asking that a representative be sent to Oneonta to inspect the city’s plans with a view to endorsing them for federal aid.
“President Truman on Monday signed a bill that authorizes 500 million dollars to be administered direct from Washington for establishment of airports which meet CAA requirements.
“Mr. Elmore pointed out that Oneonta already has been designated as site of a class-two airport on a nation-wide map prepared by the CAA. He added that preliminary plans for a field north of Glenwood cemetery,” in Oneonta’s East End, “have been approved by Joseph Culliman, of the aeronautics division, New York State Department of Commerce.”
Oneonta’s airport at that time was in the West End, behind what is today’s New York State Electric and Gas Corp., on Country Club Road. It was known as Keyes Airport, which closed in 1954.
Local railroad workers couldn’t have been pleased that month, as The Star of May 16 reported, “Effective at the close of the working day today, more than 250 employees of the Susquehanna division of the Delaware and Hudson railroad will be laid off ‘due to the severe decline in business resulting from the coal strike.’”
More than 400,000 mine workers walked off the job in 26 states. The strike didn’t last much longer, as President Truman ordered the U.S. government to seize control of the coal mines, and an agreement was made with the workers.
Strikes and shortages were a way of life following the war, and it affected plans and hopes for progress, including in Oneonta.
As The Star of April 4 reported, “Hartwick College’s $350,000 building program and erection of the Hoffman building at 214 Main St., apparently will be held up by the new Civilian Production administration order which limits construction so as to facilitate the nation-wide Veterans’ Emergency housing program.
“Dr. Henry J. Arnold, president of Hartwick College, said erection of the $150,000 dormitory for women and the $200,000 religion and arts building ‘seems to be off, at least for this year.’
Hartwick College was scrambling to try to meet the growth in enrollment by GI’s who’d served in the war. They needed housing, and help was on the way.
Star readers of May 23 learned, “Parshall hospital, 5 Myrtle Ave., an Oneonta institution for more than a quarter of a century, has been sold by the owner, Charles C. Parshall, to Hartwick College for an undisclosed price.
“Hartwick College will turn the property into a dormitory for men students entering this fall. According to Dr. Henry J. Arnold, president, the college will house in the dormitory 75 of the 300 veterans who are expected to come to Hartwick next term. Alterations will take place this summer.”
Positive news was also received for incoming or future female students, as The Star of May 30 reported, “Hartwick College will receive a total of $33,000 in the next three years from the A.L. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, Mich., to improve its School of Nursing,” it was announced at commencement exercises recently.
“The money will be spent in salaries and in scholarships in the School of Nursing, Dr. Arnold added. Approximately $4,000 will be offered in 20 scholarships.”
Generations of Oneonta High School alumni will know the name of a new leader for the school that year.
The Star of May 30 reported, “Appointment of Charles A. Belden as principal of Oneonta High school, effective August 1, was announced yesterday by the Board of Education.
“Mr. Belden, who has been vice principal since September 1943, succeeds Dr. Robert G. Andree, who submitted his resignation to become headmaster of Brookline (Mass.) High school.” Belden remained as principal until retiring in the early 1970s.
On Tuesday, local sports of all sorts in May 1981.