(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
Each June, history whispers through our villages, railroads, churches, and parks. From vanished school buildings to vanished people, and from Swedish pioneers to celebrity visits, these seven days are filled with compelling stories that continue to shape Chautauqua County’s legacy.
June 8
1848 – Silver Creek was officially incorporated as a village.
1900 – The First National Bank of Falconer was established.
1952 – Ground was broken for the new Watts Flats United Methodist Church, replacing the previous church destroyed by fire on March 17, 1951.
1957 – The original Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Jamestown was demolished following its relocation to Forest Avenue. It is now known as Tree of Life Lutheran Church.
1997 – Lori Ceci Bova disappeared from Lakewood, a case that remains unsolved.
2000 – A new McDonald’s opened on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott, replacing the region’s first McDonald’s which originally opened in July 1961.
2005 – Demolition of Lakewood High School began. The school originally opened in 1925.
June 9
1849 – Johanna Charlotta Johnson arrived in Jamestown, becoming the city’s first Swedish resident.
1898 – A hospital at the poorhouse in Dewittville was opened.
1900 – A state engineer began a survey for the proposed Conewango Canal.
1998 – A Japanese Pine Sawyer Beetle, a serious potential pest, was intercepted at the Zurn Industries plant on Girts Road in Jamestown. Fortunately, it had not yet established itself in North America.
2000 – The film “Gone in 60 Seconds” had its world premiere in Dunkirk.
2006 – A new hydrant was installed in Busti hamlet, connected to Jamestown’s water system.
June 10
1820 – The Ashville Congregational Church was organized.
1847 – The Ellicott Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows was instituted.
1886 – The Eureka Fire Company was organized in Silver Creek.
1945 – A tornado struck Jamestown, causing significant damage in the Brooklyn Square area.
1956 – Lena the elephant arrived in Mayville. She passed away in January 1957.
1958 – Milgore Funeral Home was founded in Jamestown.
1967 – Groundbreaking took place for the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.
1973 – The new Jamestown Airport was officially dedicated.
1975 – The Busti Swedish Cemetery was formally conveyed to the Busti Cemetery Association. The two adjacent cemeteries are now owned by the Town.
1988 – The New Sweden Celebration began in Jamestown, marking Swedish heritage in the region.
1996 – The largest surviving chestnut tree in New York State was discovered in Arkwright. The species was largely destroyed by blight in the early 20th century.
2000 – A Ku Klux Klan rally was held in Warren, Pennsylvania.
2006 – The first public event of the Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association was held.
June 11
1826 – Elder William Swayze held a Methodist camp meeting at Frank Settlement (now part of Busti). Camp meetings were a major feature of early 19th-century religious life.
1873 – An old settlers’ reunion was held in Fredonia.
1876 – The cornerstone was laid for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Dunkirk.
1889 – The Pickard House opened in Bemus Point.
1891 – The Jamestown Street Railway began converting from horse-drawn to electric-powered trolleys.
1912 – The Samuels Hotel held its grand opening in Jamestown. It is now known as Covenant Manor, providing senior housing.
1925 – Eleanor Roosevelt visited Jamestown.
1963 – Groundbreaking took place for the Lakewood Sacred Heart Church.
1976 – King Leka of the Albanian royal family visited Jamestown while in exile.
1996 – The Olympic Torch passed through Chautauqua County on its way to the Atlanta Summer Games.
June 12
1820 – The Big Tree Road and the east end of Kortwright Road were both officially established as public roads. At the time, this area was part of the Town of Harmony before becoming Busti in 1823.
1832 – John D. Frank, age 12, of Busti, died tragically when struck by a falling well sweep.
1845 – The first advertisement for a resident photographer appeared in Jamestown.
1939 – Celebrated contralto Marian Anderson performed in Jamestown.
1941 – Robert H. Jackson of Frewsburg was appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
1955 – The first graduation ceremony was held at Jamestown Community College.
1959 – A tornado struck Celoron, causing damage.
1960 – Groundbreaking took place for Calvary Assembly of God Church in Jamestown.
1994 – Zebra mussels were first detected in Chautauqua Lake near Stow.
2003 – A three-county terrorism drill was conducted in Jamestown.
June 13
1819 – William Bemus gave a lecture in Mayville on achieving physical immortality. He believed he would live forever—but died in 1830.
1884 – A fancy roller skating demonstration took place at the Novelty Roller Rink on East Second Street in Jamestown.
1900 – William Miller’s mill in Lakewood was destroyed by fire.
1902 – A test run of the first train from Westfield to Jamestown was conducted.
1930 – The first Pier Ballroom in Celoron burned down.
1960 – The Chautauqua Power Squadron, a boating safety group, was chartered.
1998 (9:30 a.m.) – The Jamestown Soap Box Derby moved to Diethrick Park.
1998 – The WJTN Breakfast Party relocated to the Sandpiper Restaurant at the Jamestown Airport.
June 14
1813 – The first barn in Jamestown was raised.
1816 – The road from Brown’s (Sugar Grove) to Jamestown was surveyed. Today’s Sanbury Road follows part of the original route.
1880 – The first standard gauge train passed through Jamestown. (Standard gauge = 4 feet 8½ inches; it does not, despite rumors, come from Roman chariots.)
1896 – Formal opening of the Lakewood Congregational Church.
1902 – The Town of Busti voted to purchase two voting machines at $500 each.
1941 – The Jamestown Optimist Club was chartered.
1971 – Art Metal closed its large plant in Busti. The building is now occupied by Cummins Engine.
1994 – The Jammers baseball team arrived in Jamestown.
2005 – Demolition of Lakewood High School was completed, having begun on May 8.
