Senate Resolution No. 5592

BY: Senator YOUNG

COMMEMORATING the Bicentennial of the Town of
Little Valley

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize
events of significance which exemplify the history and development of
the State of New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the
borders of our great Empire State proudly resonates with its rich and
noble history; and

WHEREAS, It is also custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities
throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric
and progression 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
commemorate the Bicentennial of the Town of Little Valley; and

WHEREAS, 200 years is truly a remarkable milestone, with an
interesting history that has been carried throughout the ages; nestled
in the foothills of the Alleghenies is the small town of Little Valley,
which was formed by the Cattaraugus County Legislature and incorporated
on April 10, 1818; and

WHEREAS, Lots were laid out by the Holland Land Company and soon
settlement began to take shape; in 1821, Lyman Lee built the first grand
house in the Village of Little Valley, within the Township; his son,
Erastus Lee built the house on the corners of Seventh and Erie Street's,
which remains today as one of the beautiful older homes in the town; and

WHEREAS, Slowly, the town began to grow with a tavern that was built
by Benjamin Fuller; a hotel located at the corner of Erie and Sixth
Street was first known as the Empire House operated by C.H. Titus, and,
at a later date, it was taken over by George E. Drew who operated it
under the name of the Exchange Hotel; the building would later be
converted into apartments; and

WHEREAS, The first store in the Village was opened in 1850, by
Horace Howe; two doctors from New England settled in the Valley, Dr.
Daniel Bucklin from Vermont came in 1839, and was followed by Dr. Lyman
Twomley from New Hampshire in 1852; and

WHEREAS, Little Valley's Post Office was established before 1839,
operating from the home of Post Master Stephen Crosby; in 1851, the
completion Route to the Erie Railroad was celebrated where Little Valley
was selected as a station; and

WHEREAS, In 1865, an act was passed to remove the County seat from
Ellicottville to a point on the railroad; Little Valley was selected as
the site and the Cattaraugus Republican newspaper was moved to Little
Valley from Ellicottville following the removal of the county seat; a
cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1867, and ready for occupancy in
1868; and


WHEREAS, The Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society was organized
in 1844, and the Little Valley site was visited by Horace Greely, a
candidate for President; he spoke at the opening session of the fair
held in 1872 at its permanent location; and

WHEREAS, Soon school districts were formed, sawmills established,
and a brick factory was located by what today is called the Brick Point;
there was a cheese factory, the Kellogg Washing Machine Company, and a
Mangle Roller Company; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Little Valley was soon becoming a thriving
metropolis, with the construction of several churches established, a
bank, two blacksmith shops, a feed mill, newspaper office, courthouse
jail, 10 stores, and three hotels; the Opera House located on Park Place
was a three-story brick structure built in 1880, and added much to the
life of the community; it was here that many high school dances,
commencements, exercises, wrestling matches, basketball games and other
activities were held; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history and enduring
contribution of the Town of Little Valley to the heritage of the State
of New York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in
commemorating the Bicentennial of the Town of Little Valley; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Bicentennial of the Town of Little Valley; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Town of Little Valley.