Articles

Edge a visit on the border of Cattaraugus County crossing Cattaraugus Creek to Erie County

 The Great Valley Hotel, built about 1838, was also known through the years as the Plank Road House by Able Hicks, the Halfway House on the northern stagecoach route, The Fenton Hotel, and The Harrison House. A fire in the late 1800's caused the removal of the back wing.

 Trash and Treasure, the newest business to open really adds a touch of nostalgia to the area. Anyone who grew up in East Otto always saw this building as an active part of the community. The photo of the building was taken in 1913.

Both Everts 1879 and Adams 1893 History of Cattaraugus County, New York recounts the formation of an Anti-Slavery Society in the village of Ellicottville in 1836 which caused quite a stir.  Despite the fact that Adams noted that the conservative population of the village outnumbered the anti-slavery element 50 to 1, it is apparent that the society continued on its mission.

In September of 1839, the following notice was published in the Cattaraugus Republican (Ellicottville) Newspaper:

Allegany, New York

This building began as the Dye Brothers Bank in 1890.  Then it became the First National Bank, then the Allegany Meat Market owned by Frank Seyller.  Later is turned into the Dornow Pharmacy, first owned by Karl Dornow and then by his son, Edwin Dornow, and his wife, Muriel.  During this time there was a two-lane bowling alley on the second floo.  Many of the local boys worked as pin spotters.  This is depicted in the second photo above. 

From the Olean Historical and Preservation Society:

In lieu of Bernie Pire's feature story (she's been helping out her former employer), we have a paper written by Josh Rogers, an Olean High Junior.  He has kindly allowed us to print it here. 

Linda Witte's expertise spans health care, government and community organization.  Her resume boasts a long history of community leadership, service and participation, and her past and present focus includes healthcare accessibility and management, fiscal accountability and responsibility, and economic viability for the Southern Tier.