Local History with Dede Terns-Thorpe - Village of T’Ville Christmas

Hi all. To all who celebrate, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah.

This week we’ll continue writing about the Village of Tannersville, with the decision soon to be made on Tannersville’s status. The vote is to be made by village voters only deciding whether to remain a village.

The current rules of New York State concerning new villages say they must have a population of 1500 to form a village. Therefore, it seems if the decision is made to dissolve, the village then becomes a hamlet of the Town of Hunter. The population requirements would prevent it from being voted on in the future.

This week I spent some time reviewing old record books in Robin’s office, the long-term Tannersville Village Clerk. The first ballot vote to form an Incorporated Village was held on February 23, 1895. On January 22, 1895, posters were displayed in 11 village businesses. (W. Ellis’s Hotel, C.R. Howard’s Saloon, Billy Bynder Barber Shop, Charles Voss’s Store, John Gray’s Store, C. Gray’s Store, Snyder, and Mulforrd’s Store, P. H. Smith’s Saloon, and others.)

The meetings were conducted by the Town of Hunter Supervisor, Jacob Fromer, and Town Clerk, Wm. Ingalls. A total of 107 votes were cast, 67 yes votes, and 40 no. The village's status was again challenged with a special vote held in Carr’s Opera House, on March 27, 1896. It remained a village. The Officials were required to sign, and have notarized a statement as to the truth of their results.

The village board met weekly for the first few years, and the majority of the meetings started around 8:30 pm; late in today’s schedule.

It was interesting to read that Tannersville’s street lights were only to be lit from the 25th of May (difficult to read) through September 25th, 1898; the busy summer-time months.

A piece about Tannersville’s land values was found in a 1907 Kingston Daily Freeman. “LAND VALUES IN TANNERSVILLE.” It said Cyrus Showers of Tannersville was offered (a few years ago) eight acres, with 400 feet adjoining the highway for $800.00. That property sold in 1907 for $4000.00. He said Tannersvile is on the UPGRADE!

Good luck village voters. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe.

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunter Historian