LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the
Village of Marathon, New York, to be celebrated August 27, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Marathon in Cortland Coun-
ty, New York, to be observed with a sesquicentennial celebration on
Saturday, August 27, 2011; and
WHEREAS, In 1799, Japheth Hunt and family arrived in what is now known
as Marathon and became its first settlers; on April 21, 1818, the
village was formed from the southwest quarter of the Town of Cincinnatus
of the Military Tract then called Harrison; in 1829, the name was
changed to Marathon; and
WHEREAS, On December 28, 1861, with a population of 566, the Village
of Marathon was officially incorporated; when the construction of the
Syracuse and Binghamton railroad was completed in 1854, the village
began to grow and progress rapidly and today can boast 1,063 proud resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, A rich and historic community, the Village of Marathon hosts
a Maple Festival each spring and the 1890 Union Fair each fall; soccer
fields, softball fields, a tennis court, basketball court and picnic
tables can be found in Marathon, as well as a maple museum, historical
society museum, trappers' cabin, school house, a railroad shack and
sugar shack; in addition, a new boat marina and a large children's play-
ground have recently been completed; and
WHEREAS, A few distinguished people from Marathon include Thurlow
Weed, a journalist, party leader and partner in the political firm of
Seward, Weed, and Freely; Gage Tarbell, president and director of the
Equitable Assurance Company, Professor Earl Lovell, and Professor Lewis
Swift; in 1863, the United States Patent Office reported for the "Scien-
tific American Journal" that fourteen inventors came from Marathon that
year; and
WHEREAS, Other accomplishments are Marathon's municipal electric light
plant, the public water supply and the sewage treatment plant; the
village has a civic center which houses the daily senior recreational
and lunch program and has many other uses within the community; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Marathon is home to many successful businesses
including the Grumman Canoe manufacturer, E. L. Wood Braiding Company,
Gallery of Machines, the Marathon Independent, Peck Memorial Library and
Opera House, the Tarbell Building, and the Three Bear Inn; furthermore,
the Marathon Field Hockey Team has made the community very proud by
winning the state field hockey championship several times; and
WHEREAS, Located one mile north of the site of an old Indian village
and burial ground, the Village of Marathon has an elevation of 1,020
feet; the Tioughnioga River flows south and through the center of the
village between hills which rise from 500 to 700 feet above the valley;
the Indian name for the Tioughnioga River was "Banks of Flowers"; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Village of Marathon continues its commitment to enhanc-
ing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Marathon, New York,

to be celebrated August 27, 2011, 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 Patricia McConnell, Village of Marathon Historian.