Local news in January 1924 was of a kind to stimulate the senses. These were events to see, feel and hear.
It was a “sidewalk supervisor’s delight” if they paid a visit to the Delaware and Hudson rail yards in Oneonta that month.
As The Oneonta Star of Jan. 7 reported, “What is believed to be the largest turntable in the world is being installed at the Delaware and Hudson roundhouse in this city.”
Driving downhill on Fonda Avenue from Chestnut Street, one will see a historic marker today in the vicinity where the massive roundhouse once stood until 1993. It was here locomotives were directed in to repair and maintenance stalls by a large turntable.
The Star continued, “The new turntable will be 104 feet in length, 29 feet longer than the present equipment. The turntable will accommodate the largest locomotives made and will make the equipment in Oneonta yards as complete and up-to-date as in any railroad yards in the world.”
D&H forces made quick work of the installation, in seven hours and 15 minutes, beating a previous record time of 18 hours for a similar task.
While a bit more limited to being seen other than by students and teachers, The Star reported on Jan. 26, “The school building at the Plains…erected less than three years ago, is already being found inadequate, with the facilities provided in the beginning to care for the demands placed upon it as a result of the rapid growth of the school. The enrollment of the school a little over two years ago was 76 but had increased to over 150 at the beginning of the present year’s work. With this constant growth more and more room has been needed, and at the present time the large second floor auditorium is being used as a class room until other facilities can be provided.
“Fortunately there is room available to take care of the present needs, one half of the second floor having been left unfinished heretofore, with space sufficient for two rooms, each adequate to accommodate 25 or 40 pupils and with simple cloak room facilities.” Bids for the work to add the classrooms were out, and work was expected to begin in the next few weeks. The school was found at the corner of Chestnut Street and Winney Hill Road.
Adding to the sense of sight was the sense of the chill of being outdoors, as Star readers learned on Jan. 16, “Arrangements have been completed for an ice skating carnival to be held at the rink in Neahwa park on Thursday evening beginning at 8:30 o’clock sharp. The carnival will be open to everyone, and three prizes are being offered by the Stevens Hardware company of this city.
“Students of the High school, it will be remembered, volunteered to clear the pond of snow and interest in the sport has been steadily increasing of late. The carnival is being arranged by the Stevens company to stimulate interest in the sport.”
Oneonta’s Y.M.C.A. has always been a place for recreational purposes, among other activities. In 1924 the Y was found on Broad Street, having opened in March 1900. On Jan. 16, the Y held their annual meeting, with plenty of speeches and presentations being heard.
Next morning, The Star reported, “Attorney Owen C. Becker…made a strong plea for a new and larger building, to take care of increasing needs, a building adequately provided with a gymnasium, swimming pool and simple facilities for both the boys’ and men’s departments.
“While no definite plan of campaign was adopted at this meeting, the project of a new Y.M.C.A. building is in the air, and there is no doubt from the spirit manifested by those present, but that when the time comes for action, the success of this project will be assured.” The “new” Y building finally opened in 1965 on Ford Avenue.
Oneontans had the chance that month to hear what was known as one of America’s most popular dance bands of the era.
Star readers of Jan. 21 found out, “Paul Whiteman’s Steamship orchestra, which will furnish the music for the dance to be held at the state armory on the evening of January 30, by the Oneonta Public Park and Playground Improvement association, is regarded among authorities on the subject to be the finest travelling dance attraction in the country. Oneonta is particularly fortunate in being able to have the orchestra come here because…they are regularly engaged to play on the Leviathan and are doing little traveling now. An accident which has delayed the sailing of the huge liner has made it possible for the association to secure the services of this premier musical organization.” It was reported to have been well attended, with hundreds of dollars raised for park improvements.
On Wednesday, a look back at the local life and times of January 1994.
Oneonta City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area before 1950. His Wednesday columns address local history 1950 and later. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is oneontanyhistorian.com. His columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/opinion/columns/.