on the Erie Canal, Niagara County NY
While sorting through some old newspapers earlier this week, imagine my surprise when I came across a short article and an ad for Mr. Vary, the inventor I have recently featured on this site. Thought you might enjoy reading what was written in the Middleport Herald, a semi weekly newspaper” circulated throughout the richest agricultural
In the early 70’s when my husband and I first moved to State Street, we met Margaret and Elmer Vary, our neighbors at 55 State Street. Little did we know what a treasure of a man Elmer had been to this community for nearly 90 years. His early years were spent from the age of
Chauncey Norman, a long time resident of Middleport, started his own business after working at the Niagara Sprayer for 37 years. NORCO Machine and Sheet Metal Corporation was started in 1957 with four employees in a building on Kelly Avenue after Niagara Chemical Division closed out its machine shop. Mr. Norman, Harold Austin and James
On the corner of Orchard and Church Street was a broom factory. They operated there for some time, then moved out. Another inventor,Dr. E.L. Downey. Downey took over the broom factory and put up a fluid spray called “Downyside”. In one of his 1904 ads he states his insecticide did not smell like rotten eggs as
Do you know who this is? He was an important figure in Middleport’s past and he has a road named after him. There is an historic marker on this road that shares some history about this man and his role in Middleport. Any guesses?
Before the dawn of the electric refrigerator, the ice box kept things cold. Needless to say, there was a need to harvest and store ice. Iceboxes date back to the days of ice harvesting, which had hit an industrial high that ran from the mid-19th century to the 1930s, just before the refrigerator was introduced
What can you add to this old newspaper clipping about Niagara Woodworking? Let us know by commenting below and we will add it to the story! The caption dates this at 1909 and says: “The makers of house trim, sash and doors. It was located on Kelly Ave. and is presently occupied by Barden and
The office of the Village Historian is once again open and ready for your visit. I am now located in the board room at the Village Hall on Main Street and I am busy getting things back into order. My hours will continue to be on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-3 or by appointment. I
In today’s fast paced society, we think little about the ease with which we can deposit or withdraw our savings and do daily transactions with our money. Many people spend little time in a brick and mortar building since now most of our dealings can be done over the computer or from our car as
As Published October 14, 2014 in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal This article entitled “Middleport Connection” was published on the front page of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, and the paper has given their permission for it to be reproduced here. Article written by Michael Canfield Back in January, Village of Middleport Historian Christa Lutz
