Last weekend, stories were told about novelty sights to see in the region, in 1930.
This time, while staying in 1930, the emphasis will be on transportation stories, from airways, waterways and highways.
As the Otsego Farmer of July 23 reported, “Pilot Carlton J. Hinman is not much of a golfer, but he can do almost anything in a plane, and on Wednesday scored a hole in one while making a forced landing on the course of the Oneonta Country club, according to this morning’s Oneonta Star.
“In spite of the fact that Mr. Hinman picked the thirteenth green for his stunt, neither he nor Kenneth Corbin of Stamford, a student flyer, who was with him in the Canuck plane of the Oneonta Flying club, was not injured and the only damage to the plane was the propellor.
“Mr. Hinman was giving instruction to Mr. Corbin about 7:45 o’clock Wednesday evening and had reached an altitude of only about 200 feet, flying from the airport when due to ignition trouble the motor of the ship stopped. With the slight altitude, Mr. Hinman was forced to pick one of a few nearby spots to bring the plane down and was able by side slipping to land the plane safely in spite of several trees.
“To avoid trees and a fence on the short straight run which was allowed, Mr. Hinman used the rudder of his ship to turn the plane and rolled slowly to a sand trap on one side of the thirteenth green. At first it seemed that they would stop without running into the trap, with a bunker of the green side, but finally the plane dropped over into the sand trap.
“Members of the Flying club were out early to remove the wings of the ship and take it to the airport field,” nearby on Country Club Road, “as it does not appear wise to attempt to fly out of the small space allowed for in take-off.”
From planes we move to boats, and as the Farmer of June 25 informed readers, “The Otsego Lake Transit company of Cooperstown announces the opening of transportation June 28, when the Steamer Mohican will make three trips each day until after Labor Day.
“The Mohican is a double decked craft, eighty-five feet in length, with a thirty-foot beam. It is licensed to carry 325 passengers. It is a most seaworthy and comfortable boat for pleasant trips on the Glimmerglass.
“Here in a large easy chair you are free from the dust and confusion of the road where you may enjoy seeing how man is changing the water into a new playground by taking advantage of the beautiful lake.”
Indeed the lake became more of a playground for smaller craft, as the Farmer of Aug. 20 reported, “The complete program for the first annual regatta of the Otsego Lake Boat club, which will be held on the morning, afternoon and evening of Saturday next, was announced at a meeting of the committee on arrangements held Monday evening at the Chamber of Commerce. Interest in the event on the part of boat owners and those devoted to water sports not only assures the success of the present regatta but promises that such a meet be made an outstanding feature of the season in this resort in the coming years.”
Bad weather postponed the event a week, but a day of races and an illuminated boat parade in the evening made for a successful regatta.
Getting people to and from this region was also seeing improvement in 1930, as the Farmer reported on July 23, “The cement road which is being built from the Cherry Valley Turnpike at Gano’s Corners, near Richfield Springs, to Orendorff Corners, the remainders of this road leading over Vickerman Hill, has been improved for several years, is progressing rapidly with Louis Mayersohn, Albany, contractor, using a bituminous product.” This appears to be a section of today’s state Route 28 from Richfield Springs to Mohawk.
“When the road is completed, which probably will be later this summer, the shortest route connecting the Susquehanna and Mohawk Valleys will be established and will replace one of the many worn out dirt roads in this section.”
On Wednesday, we’ll fast forward to space travel in July 1975.