LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the
Village of Clyde, New York to be celebrated on May 1, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the purpose of this Legislative Body to now
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Village of Clyde, in Wayne
County, New York, to be celebrated May 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In honor of this most auspicious occasion many events have
been planned for April 29 - May 1, 2010, including a parade to be
followed by a special ceremony in the park; and
WHEREAS, Settlement of the Village of Clyde began in 1811 on the south
bank of the Clyde River; Jonathan Melvin Jr. erected a house of hewn
logs and it was there the first town meeting of Galen was held in 1812;
the settlement was originally named "Lauraville" after Henrietta Laura,
Countess of Bath and daughter of Sir William Pulteney; an early reminder
of this period is Watson's Cemetery, established in 1810, located on the
west end of Geneva Street with simple limestone markers; and
WHEREAS, The north side of the river was surveyed in 1817 and Andrew
McNab, a Scottish agent for Pulteney estate, came to sell lots; the
river of Clyde was named by McNab because it reminded him of the Clyde
River in Scotland; he also christened the main street Glasgow Street;
and
WHEREAS, The Village follows the typical Pulteney estate plan, east-
west on north-south divided to box a large open square; the (box) or
central square was where the militia might drill, public ceremonies
could be conducted, and cows and pigs might graze; the squares of Sodus
Point and Lyons recall the association of proprietor Sir William Pulte-
ney, with Bath in England; and
WHEREAS, In 1835, the villages of Lauraville and Clyde incorporated as
the Village of Clyde; the village layout consisted of two major north
south streets: Glasgow and Sodus on the north side; Mill (after DeZeng's
mills) and Waterloo on the south side; principal east-west streets were
named Genesee Street north of the river, and Water and Geneva streets on
the south side; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Clyde has its roots as an Erie Canal town, for
the canal provided the initial means for industry to become the driving
force behind the village's early growth; many of these industries set
Clyde apart from other small upstate New York communities; and
WHEREAS, A unique glass works factory and a manufacturer who developed
the first typewriter are only a few of Clyde's early industrial gems;
later, the development of the railroad provided for industry as well,
resulting in such businesses as a large canning factory; the railroad
also provided a means of transportation for out-of-town jobs in cities
like Syracuse and Rochester; today, Clyde looks anxiously to the future
to complete the next link in the village's history; and
WHEREAS, Offering great natural beauty, the Village of Clyde, New
York, is home to numerous parks including, Lauraville Landing on the
Erie Canal, Seneca Lake State Park, Cayuga Lake State Park, Fair Haven
State Park, Montezuma Wildlife Preserve and Galen Wildlife Preserve; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the exemplary leadership of Mayor Jerry Fremouw,
Clyde, New York, remains a small village where the air is clean, the
surroundings are scenic and the neighbors are friendly; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Village of Clyde continues its commitment to enhancing

the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the Village of Clyde's rich history and
enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited town upon the occasion of its
175th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Village of Clyde, New York to
be celebrated on May 1, 2010, recognizing the significance of the role
it continues to play in the life of the community of the State of New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Village of Clyde, New York.