Question: From early times, the area along the river has been the site of much traffic. At the time of our first settler, John McHarrie, in 1792(4), the only north-south route for miles was the fording place across the rifts about where the present North and Division streets are now.
With the erection of the first dam and bridge upon the arrival of Dr. Jonas Baldwin in 1809, the north-south traffic, although located east of the original site, increased as the population grew. What we call the Four Corners today has seen a marked increase over the years resulting in a variety of devices to help control the traffic.
The photo today shows the trolley navigating the Four Corners. It had to share the road with horses, horses and buggies and later cars. Basically it was every man for himself.
Today we have our bank of traffic lights. What other means of traffic control have been there? Watch next week for other photos and the answer to why we have the lights that we do now.
Last week’s answer: Last week’s photo was printed in the Messenger on April 14, 1949 with the following caption: “Members of Baldwinsville schools faculty last week entertained two audiences (as well as themselves) when they presented their faculty follies on the academy stage at a student assembly and later as a cancer fund benefit. Scenes from the ‘extravaganza’ were caught by Donald Tappan, student photographer. Shown here are ‘The Rockettes’ featuring, left to right: Kathryn Puffett, Miss Lynn, June Winchell, Mary Arlene Kinney, Margaret Vanderveer and Blanche Pender.”
A synopsis of the production by student reporter Patricia Manseau was published in the Messenger on April 7, 1949 and is reprinted here:
“Tears flowed in ‘B’ville-Land’ as the sorrowful ‘Princess Paula’ wept her song, a la requiem, into the microphone on the academy stage Monday afternoon. The tune was ‘Buttercup,’ from ‘H.M.S. Pinafore,’ but the words told of the sad plight of the fairy-tale princess, who had never learned to smile, and behind the beribboned ‘mop’ of hair, was B’ville Academy’s very popular principal, Paul Benedict.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Kin of B’ville Town, an important proclamation is going around. It’s sent from the castle of our royal king, and concerns our princess, who won’t laugh or sing.”
“This speech from the King’s herald briefly summarized the plot and theme of “The Reluctant Princess,” an original three-act comedy written and directed by Mrs. Beyerl. All lines given the cast rhymed.
“Done in operetta style, the skit featured solos by various faculty members. “Pete the Tooter” (Mr. Theodore) gave a flute selection for the princess, whose reaction was only emphasized by another storm of tears. Tears from the audience were caused by contagious laughter.
“In the cast were Mr. Benedict as Princess Paula; Mrs. Vanderveer as King Kuchie; Mr. Hess as Queen Hester; Mr. Cary as Richard the Herald; Mrs. Kinslow and Mrs. Webb as the Ladies in Waiting; Mrs. Darling as the Mayor; Mr. Matthews as Frankenstein the Jester; Mr. Enders as the Ballerina Enderina; Mr. Guerrera as Gorgeous Georgeeeanna; Mr. Theodore as Pete the Tooter.
“In the Villagers’ Scene were Mrs. Striner and Miss Scanlon as children; Mrs. Sawyer as the scene-stealing rabbit; Mr. Coates as gardener and Mrs. Beyerl as the gardener’s wife.
“A chorus of 1920-vintage “Rockettes,” included Miss Kinney, Miss Lynn, Miss Winchell, Mrs. Pender, Mrs. Puffett and Mrs. McNaughton. Words cannot aptly not adequately describe the get-up they wore.
“Stage manager for the history-making comedy was Mr. Durgee, with scenery painted by Mrs. Striner and Mrs. Vanderveer. Programs were under the charge of Mss Coolidge and Miss Reynolds. Accompanying the soloists in their songs were Mrs. McCrea and Mrs. Billington.
“An appetizer for the “Faculty Fumbles” was the gay bulletin board display, which boasted clever caricatures sketched by both Mrs. Vanderveer and Mrs. Striner. Scattered across the board were old time photos of our beloved faculty as they appeared years ago.”
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.
