(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
From solar eclipses to steamboat rallies, religious awakenings to railroads—this week in Chautauqua County history is packed with milestones that shaped our communities. Here's a look back at the events that unfolded between June 15 and June 21 across the years.
June 15
1799 – Near the Pennsylvania border (6 miles from Chautauqua County), the first vision of Handsome Lake occurred at Cornplanter Grant. This marked the beginning of the Handsome Lake religion, still practiced today by hundreds of Iroquois in the U.S. and Canada.
1818 – The Westfield Post Office was established.
1873 – Alden’s Grove at Cassadaga Lake was dedicated. It later became the foundation for the Lily Dale Assembly.
1877 – The Gokey Shoe Factory opened in Jamestown. It was destroyed by fire on March 10, 1910.
1930 – Lakewood and Busti implemented daylight saving time for the first time.
1942 – Bethel Baptist Church was organized in the Jamestown area.
1944 – 407 German prisoners of war were housed at the Dunkirk Fairgrounds.
1978 – The Chautauqua County Agricultural Center (Bratt Ag Center) was first occupied near the Jamestown Airport.
1984 – Welch’s historic plant in Brocton closed.
1999 – A bank in Sugar Grove, PA was robbed.
June 16
1806 – The "Great Eclipse," a total solar eclipse, covered the entire county.
1816 – First Congregational Church was formed in Jamestown.
1891 – Launch of the steamboat W.C. Rinearson, later renamed City of Cleveland and then City of Jamestown.
1902 – Mastodon fossils were unearthed at Jefferson and Franklin Streets in Westfield.
1902 – The first baseball game under lights in Chautauqua County was played at Celoron: Jamestown 2, Ashtabula 0.
June 17
1867 – The Buffalo & Oil Creek Cross Cut Railroad opened to Brocton.
1867 – Construction began on what would become the Dunkirk, Allegany Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad at Cassadaga Lake.
1868 – Graduation of the first class from Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute, precursor to Jamestown High School.
1893 – The first village election was held in Cherry Creek.
1904 – Dunkirk Lodge No. 922 of the Elks was established.
1919 – The Jamestown Rotary Club was formed.
1924 – Jamestown Schools transitioned from a grammar school format to a junior high system.
1996 – The Town of Busti assumed ownership of the Busti Cemetery.
June 18
1882 – Local 36 of the National Association of Stationary Engineers was organized in Jamestown.
1909 – Chautauqua Traction Line began operations to Barcelona.
1915 – Officer George Kendall of the Jamestown Police Department was shot and killed in Brooklyn Square.
1934 – A tragic fire at Richfield Oil in Jamestown claimed seven lives.
June 19
1884 – The first trial run of a horse-powered streetcar took place in Jamestown.
1927 – The Jamestown Centennial Celebration kicked off, marking 100 years since incorporation as a village.
1997 – The renovated front gate of the Chautauqua Institution was officially dedicated.
June 20
1834 – Four English families from Prickwillow, Cambridgeshire arrived in Jamestown after departing England on April 12.
1860 – Rev. Patrick Byrnes became the first resident Catholic pastor in Jamestown.
1889 – A steamboat route began service along Cassadaga Creek, connecting Ross Mills and Red Bird Corners.
1894 – Celoron Park opened for the first time.
1963 – Jamestown’s water supply began fluoridation.
1969 – The last day of school was held in the old Busti #11 schoolhouse before its permanent closure.
1969 – A tornado damaged Celoron Park.
2000 – A steamboat rally was launched on Chautauqua Lake.
2003 – An all-way stop was established at the busy Busti intersection, which previously allowed through-traffic on Forest Ave/Busti-Sugar Grove Road.
June 21
1826 – The first issue of the Jamestown Journal was published.
1862 – Evergreen Cemetery in Sinclairville was organized.
1873 – A decision was made to relocate the Chautauqua County Fair to new grounds at Marvin Park, near today’s Chadakoin Park.
1924 – A severe storm isolated Jamestown from surrounding areas.
1969 – Train traffic ceased on the historic Kinzua Bridge near Kane, PA.
1985 – An excursion train, the last passenger train to Jamestown, rolled into town.
1996 – A silo collapsed at the Mee Brothers Farm near Falconer at 6:15 PM.
2002 – The final day of classes was held at Celoron and Lakewood schools.
2010 – The Lake County Dairy stores were sold.
