(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)
Research by Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian
As we transition into March, we reflect on a diverse array of historical events that have shaped Chautauqua County. From municipal developments to groundbreaking inventions and community milestones, this week in history offers a fascinating glimpse into our region’s past.
March 2
- 1824: The Town of Busti officially came into existence, taking effect on this day, not April 16, 1823, as history books often state.
- 1925: An earthquake was felt locally, a rare occurrence in our region.
- 1972: The last known Spanish-American War veteran from Jamestown, William O. Isaacson, passed away.
March 3
- 1792: Pennsylvania obtained the Erie Triangle, a land tract on Chautauqua County’s western boundary, from the federal government.
- 1831: George M. Pullman, inventor of the Pullman sleeping coach that revolutionized rail travel, was born in Brocton.
- 1832: Busti School District #16 was formed, later becoming part of the Celoron District and eventually merging into Southwestern Central School in 1947.
- 1876: A heated dispute in Busti between outgoing Supervisor Alonzo Pickard and incoming Supervisor Jerome Babcock resulted in the destruction of a secretary (furniture) that served as the town office at the time.
- 1917: Rogers-Paquin, the first self-service store in Jamestown, opened at 18 E. Second Street. Prior to this, customers handed lists to clerks who retrieved items from behind the counter.
- 1939: The first board meeting of the Jamestown Boys Club was held.
- 1955: Nugent’s, a women’s fashion store, opened in Jamestown.
March 4
- 1781: New York State ceded all land west of its present boundary to the federal government, helping break the political impasse that had delayed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation.
- 1895: The Swedish Brotherhood of Jamestown was organized.
- 1911: The M. R. Nelson Dry Goods Company, a predecessor of Nelson’s Department Store, was established in Jamestown.
- 1929: The Busti Dancing Club sponsored a community dance.
- 1994: Enhanced 911 service was activated countywide, automatically revealing callers’ locations to dispatchers—a significant improvement over the 1978 system.
- 2002: The first train in 11 years passed through Lakewood, traveling from Falconer to Meadville.
March 5
- 1884: A corporation was formed in Ohio to build the Beta Theta Phi clubhouse, Wooglin on Chautauqua Lake.
- 1899: Brooks Memorial Hospital opened in Dunkirk.
- 1949: The last passenger train departed from Mayville.
- 1958: Duplex Manufacturing in Sherman burned down, leaving 33 workers unemployed. It was the only manufacturing plant in Sherman at the time.
- 2004: Vonda Ward, a 6’6” world heavyweight boxing champion, visited Jamestown.
March 6
- 1819: Harmony School District #8 was formed, later becoming the Ashville School before merging into Panama Central School in 1956.
- 1827: Jamestown was incorporated as the first village in Chautauqua County. It became a city in 1886.
- 1869: A demonstration of the velocipede—an early bicycle known as the "bone crusher"—was held in Jamestown.
- 1882: Merchants National Bank was organized in Dunkirk.
- 1919: Soldiers returned home to Jamestown from World War I.
- 1945: The Busti Volunteer Fire Department took over maintenance of the Busti Triangle from the Village Improvement Society.
- 1975: The Chautauque Archaeology Society was organized (intentionally spelled this way).
March 7
- 1875: The Ross Grange was founded in Falconer.
- 1905: The Sterling Hardware and Electrical Corporation was established in Jamestown.
- 1979: A prayer meeting was held, which later became the Frewsburg Christian Missionary Alliance Church.
- 1988: Ground was broken for the Fairmount Avenue Burger King in West Ellicott.
March 8
- 1931: Rev. George Bennard, composer of "The Old Rugged Cross," spoke in Falconer.
- 1989: The Fairbanks Farms meat packing plant in Blockville burned down.
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