Question: Young Tina Gross of Virginia Street was a celebrity when this photo was taken in 1967. The event took place in Baldwinsville but the ripple was statewide. Do you recall the event? The ramp upon which folks are standing for the photo may be a clue.
Last week’s answer: Last week’s photo was taken on the grounds of Baldwinsville’s Rod and Gun Club and features the organization’s leaders on the occasion of the group’s 20th anniversary. Seen in the photo are, seated, left to right, Raymond Smith, assistant secretary; Harvey L. Harris, treasurer; Herbert Cassavaugh, secretary; Verne Tucker, president; and Willard Van Denburg, vice-president. Committeemen, standing, left to right: Arthur Salisbury, Dr. Frank B. Spengler, past president, Robert Goldsworthy, Clifford King, Howard Staring, William Naylor and Kermit Smith.
The Seneca River and Baldwinsville’s lush woods and countryside have long been rich with fish and game. Initially driven by the need to survive, the interests of hunters and fishermen eventually expanded to include those who pursued the activities as recreation. Over time, range and trap shooting were also added to the mix.
Tradition holds that more than a century ago range and trap shooting were carried on at a location east of Syracuse Street near the village line. Competitive “shoots” were held with marksmen from neighboring communities. The popularity of recreational shooting dwindled during the years of World War I but was later revived. Two different locations along East Genesee Street beyond the village were used for practice and meets.
Interest continued to grow and in 1928 the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club was formed. Its organizational meeting was held in George Hosler’s shoe store at 58 Oswego St. For the next five years the group met in “semi-permanent club rooms” above Lee Mathewson’s garage on East Genesee Street.
In 1933 the organization incorporated and purchased 70 acres on Kingdom Road adjacent to Gunbarrel Road. A permanent clubhouse was soon erected.
The Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club continues yet today. For more information check out their website, bvillerodandgun.com.
Van Buren Town Councilor Howard Tupper was the first to correctly identify the photo: “This was taken at the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club on Kingdom Road, in front of the covered bench area. Some of the faces are very familiar, but the only positive ID is Willard Van Denberg, on the right in the front row.”
Contact Editor Sarah Hall at [email protected] or leave a message at 434-8889 ext. 310 with your guess by 5 p.m. Friday (please leave the information in the message; we are not generally able to return calls regarding History Mystery responses). If you are the first person to correctly identify an element in the photo, your name and guess will appear in next week’s Messenger, along with another History Mystery feature. History Mystery is a joint project of the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse and the Baldwinsville Public Library.
