Christmas Message to Our Readers

    

      Since we began the reprint of archived local and regional newspaper stories, our readership has doubled. We thank our readers for their interest and wish all a wonderful holiday season.
     1884-1886 was a period of transition in the village of Cortland. Destructive fires led to rebuilding and rethinking in the village. A private Water Works company was established and fire hydrants deployed. With the notable exceptions of the Standard and Squires (old clock tower) buildings, which were built in 1883, downtown buildings of brick, stone and mortar took the place of old or fire-damaged wood frame buildings. The all-volunteer fire department increased its membership and practiced drills frequently. C. F. D. hose companies entered state competition and won awards for best time in deployment of men and equipment. Cortland manufacturing was on an upswing, making wire products, carriages, stoves, sewing machines and sundry other products. Two railroads and a local horse trolley company served the village. There was a significant increase in the building of residential housing as the population increased. Immigrants were arriving. Churches, associations and fraternal orders increased their membership.  The Salvation Army came to town and was initially viewed as unwanted competition by local church members.
     The temperance movement was afoot and it split the Republican party and the Republican newspapers in the village and across the nation. Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, was elected president. Petroleum Nasby poked fun at Cleveland and his administration. 
     For recreation and amusement, Cortland residents enjoyed traveling shows at the Cortland Opera House and Taylor Opera House, circuses, roller skating, ice skating, bicycling, foot races, horse racing, hunting, fishing and baseball.
     Labor and management developed an adversarial relationship when the Knights of Labor organized in town. The immediate controversy centered on the length of the work day, as labor wanted to reduce the hours worked to 10 or 8 hours each working day of the week (six).
     The weather in those days was...well, the weather was about the same as it is today but it was more talked about. Too much snow and too cold in winter, too hot and too humid in summer. It was certainly more difficult to get around by horse or carriage on unpaved roads and streets, especially during mud season. Flies and horse manure on village streets made summer strolls interesting. Doctors made house calls in those days and often traveled several miles in variable weather and road conditions. Despite the unpredictable weather and hardships, there was a general feeling of optimism which spilled over into the early 20th century.
     Please come back and visit again. Enjoy the holidays.