(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
From remarkable fires to community milestones, this week in Chautauqua County history offers a glimpse into the stories that shaped our region. Let’s explore the significant events by day and year.
January 12
- 1837: The Jamestown Academy opened its doors, providing advanced education and eventually merging to form the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute, the forerunner of Jamestown High School.
- 1881: The Allen Opera House in Jamestown was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours.
- 1894: The Union Trust Company was organized in Jamestown, marking a new era in local financial services.
- 1999: Heavy snow caused part of Leon Anderson’s barn in Busti to collapse.
January 13
- 1838: Seven prisoners escaped from the Chautauqua County jail in Mayville during the night.
- 1872: The Dunkirk Library Association was formed, fostering literacy and education in the region.
- 1914: A shootout in Summerdale marked the beginning of a notable siege in Chautauqua County’s crime history.
- 1954: Judge Allison Wade was tragically murdered in the Warren County Courthouse in Pennsylvania.
- 1974: The Clymer Bag Company burned in a devastating fire.
- 1980: The beautifully restored Kiantone Congregational Church was rededicated, preserving one of the county's oldest church buildings.
- 1985: The Jamestown Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) Family History Library opened on Forest Avenue.
January 14
- 1820: The Franklin Library Society was organized at Bush Tavern in Frank Settlement (Busti), an early example of private lending libraries in the county.
- 1846: The First Universalist Society of Busti was organized at Brick School (4). Though the society struggled to flourish, its roots remain part of the county's diverse religious history.
- 1897: The Jamestown Brewing Company was incorporated, adding to the area’s rich industrial heritage.
- 1925: Early graves were discovered on West 7th Street in Jamestown, remnants of a cemetery thought to have been relocated in the 1870s.
- 1929: A dynamite bomb exploded in a restroom at City Hall in Jamestown.
- 2000: The Green Party of Chautauqua County held its first meeting, though no branch currently exists.
January 15
- 1932: The Busti District 11 Mothers’ Club was organized to support local education and community needs.
- 1956: Dorothy Connelly retired after 40 years as a school superintendent, becoming a legendary advocate for school consolidation.
- 1985: Willis C. Hale of Frewsburg retired as the first manager of the Chautauqua County Airport.
January 16
- 1934: The first emergency college class, a precursor to Jamestown Community College, began in Jamestown.
- 1967: Construction began on the Art Metal plant in Boomertown, now the Cummins Engine facility.
- 1999: The last issue of the Post-Journal's Saturday magazine, formerly known as Tempo, was published.
January 17
- 1938: The era of Jamestown streetcars ended as they made their final run.
- 1945: The Jamestown Civic Orchestra held its first concert, marking a significant cultural milestone.
- 1995: The iconic Helman’s Grocery store building in Lakewood, a community landmark for generations, was demolished.
January 18
- 1979: Lydia Caswell became the first resident of Covenant Manor, a home for the aged in the former Hotel Samuels in downtown Jamestown.
- 1995: The Second Cherry Street Parking Ramp in Jamestown formally opened but was later closed in 2001. The third rebuild now serves the community.
