(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
This week in local history brings together iconic figures like Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, milestones in faith and transportation, and memorable moments ranging from spiritualist “treasure caves” to musical legends gracing Chautauqua's stages.
July 20
1860 – Rev. Patrick Byrnes was appointed the first resident Catholic priest in Jamestown.
1870 – A violent storm frightened passengers aboard the steamboat Chautauqua, just after midnight.
1894 – A total of 113 bicyclists gathered in Jamestown for a meet—an early sign of cycling's popularity.
1897 – At 7:25 AM, construction of the Welch’s Grape Juice plant began in Westfield. The first juice was pressed on October 22.
1898 – The post office and store at Watts Flats were burglarized.
1929 – Amelia Earhart made an appearance at Chautauqua Institution.
1933 – The “spiritualist treasure cave” near Kiantone was reopened at the camp of Gerald G. Staples, Jamestown City Court Clerk.
1973 – A seven-car Erie-Lackawanna train derailed just after midnight in Lakewood.
July 21
1969 – Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown area began making deliveries, supporting local seniors and shut-ins.
1997 – Watsons (Afro-Lecon) of Jamestown closed and filed for bankruptcy.
2003 – High winds (80 mph) caused 12 supports of the Kinzua Viaduct to collapse.
July 22
1749 – Pierre Joseph Céloron and 250 men camped along Chautauqua Lake during his expedition.
1831 – The First Presbyterian Church of Sinclairville was officially organized.
1886 – The Buffalo Fire Underwriters held a summer picnic at the Kent House in Lakewood.
1894 – The United Brethren Church (originally a Congregational Church moved from Busti) was rededicated in Frewsburg. Today, it's an apartment building at 24 Main Street.
1894 – The cornerstone was laid for SS. Peter and Paul Church in Jamestown.
1899 – The Bush family reunion was held at 11 AM in Lakewood. Heman Bush, the family patriarch, was a pioneer and the original owner of the Busti Mill.
1906 – Famed African-American educator Booker T. Washington spoke at Chautauqua.
1911 – Charles A. Lindquist of Busti purchased a 12-horsepower Huber steam traction engine and threshing machine.
July 23
1824 – Paul Busti, General Agent of the Holland Land Company and namesake of the town of Busti, died in Philadelphia.
1956 – School District No. 7 in Busti, the last independent district in the town, voted to consolidate with Jamestown (Garfield Road).
1986 – At 9:30 AM, the original Third Street Bridge in Jamestown closed for demolition.
1986 – The county government approved the outright sale of the Bemus Point–Stow Ferry to Sea Lion Project Ltd.
July 24
1858 – The Ash family was arrested in Westfield for counterfeiting.
1886 – The New School of Theology opened its first season in Lakewood, a progressive Unitarian movement. It relocated to Bemus Point the following year.
1901 – At 8 PM, the Danish Evangelical Church of Jamestown was incorporated.
1907 – The cornerstone was laid for the current Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville.
1939 – Frank O. Anderson became the first Jamestown resident to fly over the Atlantic Ocean.
1956 – Jamestown’s municipal electric service ended its direct current (DC) option.
1976 – The Busti Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2003 – The Best Western Hotel opened in Jamestown.
2006 – Former Vice President Al Gore spoke at Chautauqua Institution.
July 25
1814 – Ellicott’s original school districts were established.
1877 – The Fair Point (now Chautauqua) Post Office was established.
1886 – Three train cars of German immigrants from Dunkirk danced and drank beer at Lily Dale.
1889 – The Beta Theta Pi fraternity celebrated its semi-centennial at Wooglin-on-Chautauqua.
1900 – A massive fire destroyed 25 buildings in Fredonia.
1906 – The Busti Swedish Lutheran Church was organized. It later merged with Jamestown’s Bethel Lutheran in 1945. The original church building still stands.
1933 – First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt spoke to a crowd of 6,000 at Chautauqua Institution.
1967 – The Fenton Historical Society first opened to the public (library access only).
1985 – The Iron Skillet restaurant inside the Jamestown Bus Terminal (Fourth Street) closed.
1986 – Renowned economist and author John Kenneth Galbraith gave a lecture at Chautauqua Institution.
1992 – The Findley Lake and Mina Historical Society was officially formed.
July 26
1960 – A meeting was held to establish the Jamestown Community College Alumni Association.
1989 – Folk music legends Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie performed at Chautauqua Institution.
