(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
Each day this week, we look back through the decades—and even centuries—at remarkable, quirky, and foundational moments from Chautauqua County’s past.
May 4
- 1824 – The original eleven Busti school districts were established.
- 1919 – A tornado struck Busti, causing local damage.
- 1925 – Bethel Lutheran Church was organized in Jamestown.
May 5
- 1837 – Westfield Academy was officially incorporated.
- 1842 – The first photographs ever taken in Jamestown were captured.
- 1857 – Patrick McGraw became the first occupant of Jamestown’s new "lock-up" (jail).
- 1883 – The Erie Railroad assumed full control of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad line, which passed through Jamestown.
- 1891 (approx.) – A large meteorite reportedly fell in a Busti field.
- 1925 – Tule Lodge, Ingjalid #65 of the Vikings organization, was established in Jamestown.
May 6
- 1806 – Chautauqua County’s first post office was established in Westfield under the name “Chataughque.”
- 1869 – Bicycle riding was officially forbidden in downtown Jamestown.
- 1887 – Gerry Homes was incorporated.
- 1913 – Lakewood Union Congregational Church disbanded.
- 1941 – Jamestown Municipal Stadium was dedicated.
- 1994 – Jean Odien, a 45-year-old woman from Gowanda, robbed Fleet Bank at D & F Plaza in Dunkirk of $420.
- 1995 – Both the Lakewood and Fluvanna Super Duper grocery stores closed.
May 7
- 1888 – The covered railroad bridge over the Chadakoin River in downtown Jamestown burned down.
- 1902 – The Chautauqua County Society of New York City was organized at 8:00 p.m. by former county residents.
- 1905 – The Ancient Order of United Workmen, Busti Lodge #85, sold its hall to Fred P. Simmons and disbanded.
- 1912 – In Busti School District #5, women swept the election—then famously refused to do housework. These were among the first elections in New York State where women could vote.
- 1992 – The Sea Lion replica ship was removed from Chautauqua Lake.
- 1995 – Wegmans supermarket in West Ellicott opened its doors at 7:00 a.m.
May 8
- 1800 – Connecticut quietly abandoned its claim to a 2.3-mile strip along the entire New York border—an old dispute rooted in peculiarities of 17th-century royal charters.
- 1856 – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown was consecrated.
- 1889 – Gideon Sherman escaped being swindled out of $4,000.
- 1903 – The Jamestown Athletic and Cycle Club was organized.
- 1955 – The First Busti Church of God held a dedication for its new church house. (The building was later destroyed in the May 31, 1985 tornado.)
- 1969 – The final meeting of Busti District #11 (Village) Mothers’ Club was held.
- 1994 – Liberty Express Airlines replaced Chautauqua Airlines at the Chautauqua County Airport.
May 9
- 1835 – Public hangings were officially banned in New York State.
- 1893 – Jamestown Lodge No. 263 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was instituted, with ceremonies in both the afternoon and evening.
- 1893 – The Jamestown Driving Park in East Jamestown was sold.
- 1897 – Judge Albion Tourgée of Mayville was appointed U.S. Consul in Bordeaux, France.
May 10
- 1842 – Jamestown approved one-time tax rebates for residents who planted trees between sidewalks and streets.
- 1882 – Construction began on the first Kinzua Bridge. While the same height and length as the later structure, it was lighter in construction.
- 1913 – The first Albanian marriage in Jamestown took place between Themel Soter and Praxy Kambury.
- 1937 – WJTN radio joined the NBC Blue Network, which would later become ABC.
- 1938 – Construction began on an astronomical observatory on Marlow Road in Jamestown.
- 1956 – Landy Drugs opened on West Third Street in Jamestown.
- 2003 – The Lapp farm in Cassadaga was sold.
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