Years Ago
These moments in history are selected and edited by Nick Wamp, Tess Peterson, and Sophia Casler, who are enrolled in Mrs. Hardy’s tenth grade Honors English class. Thank you to the Skaneateles Library and the Historical Society for providing the Press Archives.
10 Years Ago
Ten years ago, an article was written notifying residents about the beginning of hunting season, in the Skaneateles Conservation Land on Old Seneca Turnpike. Located near Guppy Farms, there is a beautiful trail leading to a small waterfall with picnic tables and a pavilion. This article suggested readers become familiar with the times hunting was allowed on the property, and for dog walkers and hikers both to be aware of these times to ensure their safety. The 2017 hunting dates are as follows: Fall Turkey Season; October 1 – October 28. Deer Season; October 1 – December 20. The article also contained some of the land’s history. For instance, it had once been used as a training ground for the Army National Guard and later as experimental farmland. The Federal Farm, as it was known, was a testing ground for growing techniques and different crops. Not only is this a wonderful piece of Skaneateles, but it is also rich in history.
25 Years Ago
Twenty five years ago in the Skaneateles Press, there was an article about the Old Creamery Building, located on the corner of Kelly and Hannum. It was donated to the village of Skaneateles by Len Bobbett to become a local historic museum. The Creamery was first established on May 23rd, 1899. Within one month of the opening, the Creamery already had 107 patrons and was rather successful. After the end of the first year of opening, the Creamery made $20,000 from selling 1069 tons of milk and 101,858 pounds of butter. During this time a pound of butter was only sold for 20 cents and a gallon of milk was sold for 8 cents. In contrast a pound of butter today goes for around $3 and a gallon of milk is on average $4. Today the Creamery is still standing and it has been transformed into a fully functioning museum. For the past 27 years, students in fourth grade at State Street Intermediate School have been visiting the Creamery to learn about the history of the building and the town.
50 Years Ago
Half a century ago, the Skaneateles Press wrote about its advertising rates. In 1967, these rates were 50 cents per line and 40 cents for a headline. Back then, newspapers and billboards were the best way to get your product seen. Today, people rely on the internet and television for advertising. It costs $200-$1500 to run a 30 second ad on a local tv station. For a Syracuse Post-Standard ad, it costs a minimum of $22. Even with inflation, it still costs more to advertise today than it did in 1967.
75 Years Ago
Seventy five years ago, an ad was posted in The October 8, 1942 Skaneateles Press. This ad illustrates the picture of a World War II fighter pilot, asking people to give 10% of their daily salary towards war bonds. These war bonds could be purchased in order to aid the war effort at the time. Today, in our local community, giving your extra 10% has a different meaning. Principal Gregory Santoro of Skaneateles High School has come up with a similar motto to the 1942 ad for his students and staff. Santoro’s “Laker Way” asks people to look for ways to give their extra 10% in everything they do. The “Laker Way”, entering its 5th year anniversary, has become a core foundation in the High School. When asked for advice on someone wanting to give their extra 10 percent, Santoro’s response was, “If you have done it all, do extra. Then you are done. Always be looking for an edge to do more.”
100 Years Ago
A century ago in the Skaneateles Press, a proud father of 23 children stated that “each is worth $1,000 or more”. His flock of kids was the largest in Maine, and maybe all of New England. The average household size in the U.S. in 1917 was 9.6 people and on average had 1-2 bedrooms. According to the Chicago Tribune, the average household size in the U.S. nowadays is 2.53 people, and homes at this time usually have 3 or more bedrooms. Imagine trying to fit 25 people into a two-bedroom house! If you were to raise 23 kids today it would cost around $2,670,000. Back in 1917, it would have cost about $141,000 to raise 23 kids. This goes to show how much change can take place in a century.
