It’s getting to be that time of year when the question gets asked, “What did you do over the summer?”
In August 1925, some likely responded with travel. Others went to camp in various forms.
As it was noted last weekend, motor vehicle ownership was high and growing, and the roads were heavier in use.
A name of a road was in question at the time, and as the Freeman’s Journal of Aug. 26 reported, “The following from the Cazenovia Republican apparently sets at rest the agitation to restore the name ‘Cherry Valley Turnpike’ to general use in connection with the main artery of travel across the state of New York.” We know it now as U.S. Route 20.
“The old Cherry Valley Turnpike seems to be a much named thoroughfare. Letters received in Cazenovia from Fred S. Greene, state superintendent of public works says that his department calls the road from Albany to Cazenovia ‘Cherry Valley Turnpike’ and the road from Albany clear through to Buffalo (of which the Cherry Valley Turnpike is a part) ‘Empire State Turnpike.’ Col. Greene also says that the road is known to many people as the ‘Great Western Turnpike.’
“But, as the Colonel goes on to say, ‘this matter is really of no importance for I have designated the Cherry Valley Turnpike as one of the transcontinental routes. It will connect straight through with the route from Boston to the Pacific Ocean, so that before very long it will be known as Transcontinental route No. 3, No. 4, No.5, or whatever number the government gives it.’”
On another route to travel, The Oneonta Star of Aug. 25 reported, “Oneonta will be on the new Appalachian Scenic Highway from Quebec, Canada, to New Orleans, according to an announcement made by the international organization, a report of which was received in the city last night.
“The road will parallel the coast all the way from the Canadian city to the Gulf of Mexico. The highway will pass through this city to Binghamton,” generally what we know now as state Route 7, “and then the route will be over to the Lackawanna trail to Scranton and thence down the eastern coast.
“Edward M. Tierney, proprietor of the Arlington Hotel in Binghamton and president of the New York organization of the Appalachian Scenic Highway and the vice president of the international organization will preside at the dedication of the road in Asheville, N.C. on Sept. 15.
“More than 5,000 persons are expected to attend the dedication ceremony. Among them will be members of the chamber of commerce from Binghamton, heads of various automobile clubs located in cities through which the road will pass and other prominent improved highway enthusiasts.”
Some didn’t desire long road travel, instead going a short distance to get away from it all.
According to The Star of Aug. 20, “Oneonta’s summer colony at Goodyear lake is thriving and expanding, and it is possible that it will not be many years before a thousand people will be camped about the lake during the warm season of the year. In the past few years cottages have been springing up all along the lake shore, there has been considerable activity. Its accessibility to Oneonta has made it the most popular of all the recreation spots about the city.”
Camp of a more serious nature closed for some, as The Star of Aug. 24 said, “Co. G Tenth regiment, New York National Guard, of this city, arrived shortly before noon yesterday after spending two weeks at Camp Smith in Peekskill.
“The local guardsmen were given a rousing reception. Mayor W. Irving Bolton headed a delegation of city officials at the station, among them being the members of the common council, the Oneonta and Delaware & Hudson police departments and the band. A large crowd of friends and relatives also were waiting at the station and it is believed one of the largest crowds ever present at a homecoming of the Co. G. men would have been present if the train had not pulled into Oneonta sooner than anticipated.”
On Wednesday, a busy month for railroading in Oneonta in September 1960.