Senate Resolution No. 1750

BY: Senator JORDAN

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village
of Chatham

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate 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
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Chatham, Columbia
County, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Chatham began like many other settlements
which grew up at the intersections of early roads and along streams
which could provide water power to run small industries; the development
of Chatham as a railroad center fostered its growth in the late 19th and
early 20th Century, spurring commerce and industries and drawing people
to the growing community, which incorporated as a village in 1869; and

WHEREAS, That same year, the clock tower, Chatham's most visible
landmark, became the first village hall and fire house, and a great fire
destroyed many Main Street buildings, which were replaced by the brick
structures which provide much of the street's charm today; and

WHEREAS, During the 21st Century, the Village of Chatham's
prosperity, growth and regional importance were accompanied by great
generosity and optimism among its people; the stately Tracy Memorial
Village Hall and the Morris Memorial were constructed by private funds
and donated for use by all; and

WHEREAS, This sentiment continues today with the renovation and
restoration of aging village structures along Main Street, Park Row and
Hudson Avenue; these lovely buildings will now be able to provide
another century of use to the people of Chatham and growing numbers of
visitors who come to enjoy films of all varieties at the vaudeville-era
Crandall Theater which due to its preservation, remains mostly unchanged
from its original opening in 1926; and

WHEREAS, Visitors and residents also attend live summer-stock
productions at the Mac-Hayden Theater, wander through unique specialty
shops, and drink and dine at numerous fine restaurants; and

WHEREAS, As a main train hub, the Village of Chatham served as a
center train exchange and boasted many prominent visitors and grand
hotels; Abraham Lincoln stopped in Chatham on September 23, 1848, while
traveling west on the Boston & Worcester Railroad after having made
speeches in Boston; and

WHEREAS, Former President Martin Van Buren often rode into town on
horseback from his home in Kinderhook to visit an 1811 building which
operated a hotel and tavern, and both Harry Houdini and Teddy Roosevelt
were frequent guests of the Central Square which was built as the Park
Hotel in 1815, and later known as the Windsor Hotel; and


WHEREAS, Supreme Court Justice Sanford W. Smith and football player
Josh Keyes attended Chatham High School, and William Coffin Coleman, the
founder of Coleman, and actress, Marguerite Chapman were both born in
Chatham; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Village of Chatham 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; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Chatham, 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
transmitted to Mayor John Howe, Village of Chatham.