Local History Post of the Week: September 11, 2026

Hi everyone, and welcome to our weekly local history post!

Each week we’ll share vintage newspaper articles from years past, drawn from local publications such as the Corning Blossburg Advocate, Corning Independent, The Corning Journal, The Evening Leader, and other local newspapers. We’ll also feature the complete issue of The Corning Leader exactly 100 years to the day from each blog post. From time to time, we’ll include newly taken photographs of local historic places, landmarks, and artifacts.

Vintage Article of the Week

Samuel E. Quackenbush 90 Today, Can Remember Solider Of Revolution

From the Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y., April 3, 1948.

And the title of this article will for most people beg the question: Who was Samuel E. Quackenbush?

The short answer to that question is that Mr. Quackenbush really was a notable local; he was born in Caton in 1858 and went on to be the town supervisor, served as a New York State assemblyman for three terms and was mayor of the city of Corning for one term from 1922 – 1923. And if you read the short vintage article you’ll see he also liked to play cards!

And as an addendum, as the photo of Mr. Quackenbush is rather hard to make out so check out his page on the Find A Grave site; which is much clearer. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68457222/samuel-e-quackenbush

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | September 11, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Post of the Week: August 28, 2026

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new weekly local history post!

Going forward, each week we’ll be sharing vintage newspaper articles from years past, drawn from publications such as the Corning Journal, Corning Leader, and other local newspapers. We’ll also feature the complete issue of The Corning Leader exactly 100 years to the day from each blog post. From time to time, we’ll include newly taken photographs of local historic places, landmarks, and artifacts.

The historical photographs that have appeared in my previous weekly posts are still available in our Local History Photo Archive on the blog: https://corningnyhistory.com/

Simply click the Local History Photo Archive link near the top of the page, or go directly to:
https://corningnyhistory.com/local-history-photo-archive/

Have a great weekend!

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Praises Park And Corning

A letter to the editor –

(from The Evening Leader, Corning N.Y. | August 3, 1926)

And in relation to Mr. Lemmones letter, here is the Corning Leader from September 6, 1909, the date Denison Park was opened with a huge celebration!

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | August 28, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: July 10, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Drake Family Photo (September 17, 1897)

Local History Photo 2: Drake Family Photo

Local History Photo 3:Baseball Game

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | July 10, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: July 3, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Drake Family Photo

The ladies are seen on a cold winter day, just on the edge of Canfield Park, aka Court House Park, in Corning; and in the distance you can see what is today Centerway Square at the end of Pine Street.

Local History Photo 2: Drake Family Photo

A summer scene in Corning, New York attributed to the early photographer Isabel Walker Drake.

Local History Photo 3: Pine Street Square

This photo shows what was then Pine Street Square and is today Centerway Square. The photo is undated, but as the clock tower was completed in 1883, as it says on the base of the tower, the photo was taken no earlier than 1883.

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | July 3, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: May 1, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Corning Fireman & Truck

Local History Photo 2: Local Street Scene

Local History Photo 3: Local Street Scene Too

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | May 1, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: April 24, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Local River Adjacent Road

Local History Photo 2: Painted Post Creek, Painted Post, N.Y.

Local History Photo 3:Local Lumber Industry

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | April 24, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: April 17, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Rockwell & Shumway Store, Market Street, Corning, Photo 1

Local History Photo 2: Rockwell & Shumway Store, Market Street, Corning, Photo 2

This is a super cool photo! You’ll notice in addition to being much clearer than the first photo of the shop & staff, you can see a reflection of the Corning Glass Works buildings in the window on the left – very cool!

Local History Photo 3: Water Pump House, Cohocton Street, Corning

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | April 17, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: April 10, 2026

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: First Bank & Trust Company of Corning (circa 1970s)

Local History Photo 2: Painted Post Flats (1921)

“Looking across flats from Hodgman’s Creek towards pumping station and reservoir in Painted Post, New York.”

Local History Photo 3: Masonic Temple, Corning

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | April 10, 1926

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: September 5, 2025

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

And before we get to our photos & newspaper of the week, I have some exciting news for music and local history fans out there!

Actually I have three exciting piece of news…

Firstly, on Saturday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m. there will be an unveiling ceremony for the new historic marker honoring Corning Native, pioneering rock guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Duane Eddy.

As you may know, Duane Eddy was born in Corning, lived on West Second Street with his family, and had fond memories of skating and sledding in Denison Park as a young boy. Later the Eddy Family moved to Bath, where Duane first started playing the guitar, before moving to Guyanoga, N.Y., located near Branchport at the north end of Keuka Lake, before moving again to Arizona the year Duane turned 13, when his father said he had had enough of shoveling snow and wanted to live in a warmer region.

To hear Duane talk about his early years in Corning, check out the following interview Frank Acomb did with him on his show Frankly Speaking:

And I obviously have my local history and music geek on as the expression goes!

But it is cool – Duane Eddy, a local boy really went from Second Street to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – how cool is that!

Please feel join us for the unveiling ceremony, which will be held across the street from the Clock Tower at the edge of path to the walking bridge if you were intending to walk from Centerway Square to the Y.M.C.A.in Corning.

The Date/Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information on Duane Eddy, and The Corning Duane Eddy Circle, an off shoot local history group of the library’s general local history group, and the group behind project to honor Duane Eddy with a historic marker, check out https://www.corningtwang.com/

Secondly, The Corning Duane Eddy Circle, will continue to meet monthly to discuss Duane Eddy and his music and further discuss ways to raise awareness that he was from our area. The meetings are open to everyone – and the next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the library.

Thirdly, the library will begin hosting a new Local History Discussion Group in October. The idea is to meet & discuss local history and plan upcoming local history programs to be held at the library. Our first meeting will be Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the library.

And now, on to the photos and newspaper of the week!

Local History Photo 1: Keuka Yacht Club, Keuka Lake, New York

Our first photo for this week shows the Keuka Lake Yacht Club located on the shore of Keuka Lake, New York; the date the photo was taken is unknown although the cars in the background look like they might be from the 1950s.

Local History Photo 2: Market Street, Corning, N.Y.

Our second photo for this week shows Market Street during before the age of automobiles.

Local History Photo 3:Pine Street Square, Corning, N.Y.

And our final photo for this week shows Pine Street Square, before the era of the automobile and before it became Centerway Square.

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1925.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | September 5, 1925

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.

Local History Photos & Newspaper: August 29, 2025

Hi everyone, here are the local history photos & vintage newspaper of the week.

Local History Photo 1: Parade in Painted Post, N.Y.

Local History Photo 2: Corning, New York (exact location unknown)

Local History Photo 3: Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y.

A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!

Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1925.

The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | August 29, 1925

Have a great weekend everyone,

Linda Reimer, SSCL

Local History Online Library Resources:

Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:

https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/

Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.