LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Neigh-
borhood of North Utica, New York on May 20, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Neighborhood of North Utica, New
York, to be celebrated at the North Utica Senior Citizens Community
Center on Friday, May 20, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The history of North Utica begins in 1773, when George J.
Weaver, Captain Mark Damuth, and Christian Reall settled with their
families into an area known as Deerfield Corners; they were followed by
Peter, Nicholas, and George Weaver, distant relatives of the original
Weaver family, as well as George Damuth and the Harter families; and
WHEREAS, In 1798, the Town of Deerfield was formed by an act of the
State Legislature with its boundaries running from the West Canada Creek
in the North to the Mohawk River in the South; the land within the town
consisted of two primary tracts named Gage's Patent and Cosby's Manor;
and
WHEREAS, The Town of Deerfield was a center for commerce, and hosted
many businesses including cheese factories and a glass factory; it was
also home to numerous churches and had two post offices; and
WHEREAS, In 1868, Town of Deerfield resident, Governor Horatio Seym-
our, was chosen by his party to be their candidate for President of the
United States, but lost the election to the popular Civil War hero
Ulysses S. Grant; and
WHEREAS, In 1916, the Town of Deerfield was annexed by the City of
Utica and became what is known today as North Utica; a portion of the
town was also annexed to become part of the Town of Marcy; and
WHEREAS, Amelia Earhart made an emergency landing on Trenton Road
during a storm in 1929, and stayed overnight with her sister, who taught
at the Country Day School in New Hartford; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, "Drums Along the Mohawk" was released as a major
motion picture, documenting the life of the early settlers of Deerfield;
and
WHEREAS, During the 1950s, North Utica expanded and grew with the
addition of many new housing developments and businesses; Lion's Club
Park, now known as the Wilderness Park, was also dedicated on July 4,
1959; and
WHEREAS, As television gained popularity during the mid-20th Century,
WKTV and WUTR studios were built atop Smith Hill, and Dick Clark began
his career at WKTV studios in Deerfield; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, North Utica continues its commitment to enhancing the quali-
ty of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institutional
and educational climate, and providing all essential services; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Neighborhood of North Utica,
New York on May 20, 2016, recognizing the significance of the role it
continues to play in the life of the community of the State of New York;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted Samantha Colosimo-Testa, Councilwoman for the 6th Ward, Utica,
New York.