HOMETOWN History

Compiled by Tom Heitz and SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

150 Years Ago

Oneonta Home & Vicinity: Our town begins to feel the impulse of increased railroad facilities and will soon double its wholesale trade in flour, salt, plaster, lime, coal and general merchandise. Many carloads of lime are taken every week from this station by the farmers of Laurens, Morris, Hartwick, and other towns for agricultural purposes. The more the better for the farming interest. Inside of ten years, Otsego, Delaware and Chenango, the glorious 19th Congressional District, will be about as well furnished with railroads as any counties in the State. Hurry up the railroads, all the people will say “Amen” and bond their towns besides. A large number of men and horses passed up the valley last Wednesday to begin work on the Cobleskill and Cherry Valley Railroad, a work which is to be vigorously pushed.

A road from Broad Street to General Burnside’s at the foot of the bluff would bring much rear room in the stores and shops of Oneonta into practical use. We hear talk of a movement in that direction.

January 1869