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J542
Senate Resolution No. 542
BY: Senator GALLIVAN
COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Village
of Depew
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 125th Anniversary of the Village of Depew, in Erie
County, New York; and
WHEREAS, This historic Village, incorporated on July 23, 1894, as a
railroad town, is one of the largest villages in western New York,
extending partly into both the towns of Lancaster and Cheektowaga; Depew
is the proud home to over 15,000 residents as well as many businesses
both small and large; and
WHEREAS, The village is named in honor of Chauncey M. Depew (1892),
President of the New York Central Railroad, who later went on to become
a United States Senator (1899-1911); and
WHEREAS, In 1892, the Depew Improvement Company hired the Boston
firm of Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot to design a whole Village around a
manufacturing theme, rather than just a residential area; Chauncey M.
Depew purchased 100 acres in 1894, which became known as "the place
where Depew will build"; and
WHEREAS, Ground broke for The New York Central Locomotive Works
shops in May of 1892, opening the following year with 40 employees, and
by 1895, the business employed 640 men; in that same year, Gould Coupler
Company constructed a plant on a 60-acre plot, producing steel castings
for railroad equipment; and
WHEREAS, By 1893, the first post office in Depew was established,
and the water works building was constructed on the north side of Sawyer
Avenue at Penora Street, holding the original offices of the Depew
Improvement Company; in 1894, the building housed a temporary classroom
for the school system and meeting rooms for various organizations; and
WHEREAS, Under new management in 1896, the Depew Improvement Company
constructed a brick structure at the northeast corner of Transit and
Ellicott Road to serve as a bank, several offices, and a community
center; and
WHEREAS, In 1899, the Gould Storage Battery Company was formed,
producing batteries for use in the railroad industry; when World War II
began, production turned to manufacturing submarine batteries; and
WHEREAS, In 1910, Buffalo Batt and Felt Corporation Depew Plant
opened as a rag shop, and later, cotton based products for packing were
manufactured; the plant is now the oldest continuous employer in the
village; and
WHEREAS, One of the most magnificent buildings ever erected in the
Village of Depew, The Depew Inn, was one of the showpieces of western
New York and considered the best suburban hostelry in this part of the
state at the time it was built; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Village of Depew 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 125th Anniversary of the Village of Depew, 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 Jesse Nikonowicz, Mayor, Village of Depew.
