Utica chooses new library over housing plan: This week in Mohawk Valley history

Frank Tomaino

1899, 125 years ago

New library

The city of Utica wants to build houses on the site, but the Proctor family has a better idea. Erect a large public library there.

The land is on the east side of Genesee Street about two blocks below Oneida Square. Most Uticans agree that the current library — on the north side of Elizabeth Street between Genesee and Charlotte streets — is inadequate to accommodate the city's fast-growing population.

The northeast corner of Plant and Hart streets in Utica — one block west of Oneida Square — was part of the Utica College campus from 1946 to 1961. Students often gathered there for rallies to support or protest a movement. The Administration Building was on the corner. In 1961, the college (today known as Utica University) began to move to its new campus on Burrstone Road.

So, the Proctors, being doers and not just talkers — Maria, Thomas, Rachel and Frederick — purchase the land from the city for $35,000 and donate it to the city for a new library. (Construction began in 1903 and it was opened to the public in December 1904. It is a magnificent building made of Indiana limestone and New Haven brick and still stands today serving the public. Chris Sagaas is director.)

1924, 100 years ago

New church

The new First Presbyterian Church, at Genesee and Faxton streets in Utica, is dedicated in ceremonies that attracts hundreds. The Rev. George B. Stewart, president of the Auburn Theological Seminary, gives the dedication sermon and Henry J. Cookinham, Spencer Kellogg and Edward Ibbottson present keys to the new edifice to the pastor, the Rev. Smead Bird.

1949, 75 years ago

Railroad improvements

The New York Central Railroad improves its service along the Mohawk Valley by adding 139 deluxe passenger cars to its trains in and out Utica, including the North Shore Limited and the Empire State Express. All coaches now have reclining seats, sleeping cars with roomettes — some with double bedrooms — and dining cars decorated in restful pastel shades. All cars are air-conditioned and have fluorescent lights.

1974, 50 years ago

Medical officer

Dr. John H. Hobika, of Utica, is the new president of the Medical Society of the County of Oneida.

Meanwhile, the Etude Music Club of Utica elects Sharon Palmer as its president. Other officers include Liz Walrath, vice president; Ruth Ridgway, treasurer; Jo Zangrilli, corresponding secretary; Julie Clark, recording secretary, and Kathy Wyraz, librarian.

1999, 25 years ago

First coach

Mike Kemp is Utica College's first-ever football coach. The college (now known as Utica University) has played club football since the 1960s. Kemp was a walk-on football player at Notre Dame High School in Utica and captain of the wrestling team. He is a native of Brockport. He says the college will field its first varsity football team in the fall of 2000.

American Legion Utica Post 229 and Unit 229 elect officers. LeRoy Michel is commander. Other officers: Darwin Rocker, Gene Schreiner and Jack LaPaglia are vice commanders; Ron Casadei, treasurer; Jim Haggerty, chaplain; Jane Michel, historian; Paul Wolczk, adjutant; Bob Constantine, service officer; Arnold Furney, sergeant-at-arms, and Len LaScala, judge advocate.

Rose Coniglio is president of Unit 229. Other officers: Angie Giorgi, Celeste Haggerty and Eleanor King, vice presidents; Rosetta LaPaglia. secretary; Sue Haggerty, treasurer; Josephine LaPaglia, chaplain; Geraldine Schissler, historian, and Teresa Jensen, sergeant-at-arms.

In other news, students at the Johnston School of Irish Dancers in Utica are among winners in a Central New York Feis in Syracuse. Among the winners at the Gaelic arts and cultural festival are Ariane Nagy of Lyons Falls; Mukta Hoke of Westernville; Meghan Bryant of New Hartford; Jesse Thompson from Rome; from Clinton — Irene Warner, and Brandon, Jason and Kristen Dostie; and from Utica — Kaitlin Miano, and Kate and Tess Burns.

2014, 10 years ago

More farms

The number of farms in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties is growing, according to a census by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Oneida County has 53 more than in 2007. Herkimer has gained 15 farms while Madison has added 94.

Meanwhile, the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing announces honor students: Daniel Freedman of New Hartford is weekday valedictorian; Holly Sellers of Munnsville is weekend valedictorian; Heather Duncan of Clinton is weekday salutatorian, and Christina Johnston of Rome is weekend salutatorian.

In Clinton, Dave Murray is named head football coach at Hamilton College. He has been head coach at Alfred University since 1998.

Trivia quiz

This future first lady was years ahead of her time. When her husband and other leaders of the new United States of America were writing the U.S. Constitution, she wrote to her husbabnd: "In the new code of law, I desire that you remember the ladies. We will not bound ourselves by any laws in which we have no voice and representation.” Who was she? (a) Martha Washington, (b) Abigail Adams, (c) Dolley Madison, (d) Elizabeth Monroe. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week’s question: Chester Alan Arthur, 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885, graduated from Union College in Schenectady in 1848. He later taught school in Schaghticoke, New York, just north of Troy.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica University names first ever head football coach: This week in history

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