7/8/2006
“A Walk Around Rushford Town”
by Ron Taylor
“Stop the World, I want to get off!!” The musical play of this name opened in England in 1961, but, I coin the words ever so often when I decide to
throw aside all my pressured activities and do a specific project that I have let slide by undone for too long.
Today I decided to take a couple hours to visit the village of Rushford, NY. I had promised the town historian, Luanne Bump, several weeks ago that I
would make a visit and today was the day, unannounced!
As I turned off Route 243 at the first street to enter the Village I couldn’t help but see the “Welcome Sign” which prominently announces a major
activity for which Rushford is known, “The Rushford Concert Band & Bandwagon”, painted within the sign.
“Welcome to Rushford – Founded 1808” – Photo by Ron Taylor 7/06
After stopping by the Rushford Bakery and securing my loaf of salt-rising bread (which they are famous for and I truly love) I proceeded to Main Street
in search of “The Rushford Museum”. I discovered that they had recently changed their hours to mornings on Saturday (9 to 12 I believe) and I had arrived for the afternoon hours
to find “nobody home”, so I quickly planned a walk around town after photographing the Museum building.
The Rushford Museum – Established c.1960 – photo by Ron Taylor 7/06
The Rushford Museum can be easily located on Rushford’s wide Main Street. It is owned and operated by the
Rushford Historical Society, Inc. which was organized in 1958. The building is the former Town Office and Fire Hall. It is open the Saturday hours (above) between Memorial
Day and Labor Day, or by appointment. The present Curators are Ruth & Dan Metcalf.
| The Rushford Historical Society has meetings the first Friday of every month in the Rushford Town Hall Meeting Room, At 7:30 PM. All
meetings are open to the public and membership is not necessary but encouraged @ $5.00 per year. (What a Deal!). We generally have a short business meeting followed by a program
of local interest. This in turn is followed by refreshments and a social time. John Jessop, President of the Rushford Historical Society |
Glancing a couple doors down the same side of Main Street I spotted activity in the front yard of another old building. I soon discovered that a
“Quilt Show” was taking place today at the Grange Building and I was welcomed by none other than the town historian who was helping with the show. I quickly began to feel the
relaxed and welcoming “unrushed” flavor of Rushford as I looked over the various baked goods offered by the ladies. I learned a little history about the building as I downed my
apple pie and iced tea and viewed an occasional attendee of the quilt show stop and remark about their fascination and appreciation of the quilts.
Rushford Grange Building – Main Street – photo by Ron Taylor 7/06
Luanne informed me that the building was built in 1842 by the Presbyterian Congregation for about $2,000. By the mid-1800’s it had been turned into an agricultural
building and was finally accepted by the Grange which has continued to provide upkeep of the building. The steeple was removed in the 1800’s and the bell gifted to a Houghton
Church.
After a few directional pointers from Luanne and a promise that she would be forwarding to me a batch of interesting historical notes of Rushford I
continued on my walking journey around town. Although I don’t have the historical facts in depth to present here, the pictures show a few highlights of the hour I spent walking
the beautiful and serene streets of Rushford Village……..
Rushford Concert Band Gazebo – 7/06 photo by Ron Taylor
The Rushford Concert Band entertains young & old alike from the Gazebo located on the lawn of The Rushford Town Hall, on Main Street. These concerts
are performed every Saturday night during July and August at 8:00 pm.
The first Rushford Band was organized sometime in the 1830’s. In 1857 H. R. Palmer organized what was called Palmer’s Band. This
was when the first band wagon was purchased.
In 1890 the second band wagon was purchased. (Ref: “The Spirit of Rushford, 1908-1958”).
“In 1857, John Philip Sousa is three years old and the largest town in Allegany County is nearly fifty
years old. A musically trained Rushford youth, Horatio R. Palmer is twenty-three years old. Band music is required to make a gala celebration for the thriving community’s 50th
anniversary. Mr. Palmer reorganizes the Pioneer Band boys of the 30’s & 40’s to form, by constitution, what is today’s Rushford Concert Band.
Rushford’s century-old bandwagon is seen in parades throughout New York and Pennsylvania. Few examples
of this popular nineteenth century method of transporting bandsmen have survived. The first 1857 bandwagon was brightly painted with “PALMER’S RUSHFORD BAND”. Horatio R. Palmer,
the first director, left Rushford after the Civil War to become a noted music educator and composer, including the Director of Music at Chautauqua assemblies from 1888 to 1901.
Several bandsmen, including the first Treasurer, Isaac C. Gordon, enlisted for service in the Civil
War. He was appointed to the Engineers Brigade Band stationed with General Grant in Virginia. Mr. Gordon performed with his large, bell-over-the shoulder “very sweet toned” bass
horn with the Brigade for many dignitaries, including President Lincoln, who would request his favorite tune, “Dixie”. Mr. Gordon returned home with his horn which is still in the
family and was recently restored. Fifth and sixth generations of the Gordon family still perform with The Rushford Concert Band.” (Ref:
Bandstands & Bandwagons brochure produced by Rushford Concert Band.)
As I continued my walk I thought how great it could have been to have accompanied a recently departed Rushford Historian, Homer
Norton, on a tour of Rushford. I met Homer only once, but, was most impressed by his writings that he provided on the interesting historical happenings in the Rushford area.
(See: Dedication 1911-2005)
Dedication from: “97th Year Rushford Labor Day” Program – 9/2005
I’m sure the insight and love that “Mr. Norton” had for Rushford would tell us many tales that have been temporarily lost until someone else comes forth to
recollect and share.
New Town Hall – Rushford; Gazebo is in lawn at right…..
I snapped photos of several more buildings on Main Street which will need more time to expand on the historical stories attached to each. Below are
“The Spectator”, “Rushford Baptist Church”, and the “Old Library” buildings which caught my eye. The Spectator is vacant at the moment, the Baptist Church is active, and the Old
Library is owned privately and used as a dwelling.
Dedication Nameplate-The Spectator 1878 1915
The Spectator 1878-1915 - photo by Ron Taylor 7/06
(Left, “Rushford Baptist Church”; Right, “Old Library” – Main Street, Rushford, NY – Photos by Ron Taylor 7/06
Although I was left with many questions about other buildings on Main Street my watch told me to move on to see the “Old Gothic School”, built c. 1825.
photos by Ron Taylor 7/06
The Old Gothic School was built sometime prior to the Civil War to replace the early log schoolhouses. This was formerly known as School District
Number 5 and later joined with District Numer 1. The building was sold by District Number 1, March 1870.
After the Union School was built, the Old Gothic School was operated for a time as a rather select school for boys.
The Old Gothic School was the first framed school house built in Rushford….located on the west end of Lewellen Street…owned by the Rushford Historical
Society, Inc.
Before leaving Rushford I visited two cemeteries to note their “dated” stones. The county list of cemeteries shows 7 burial places in Town of
Rushford, but, two are in the Village.
The Rushford Cemetery has an old metal entrance arch to walk through in the center of the cemetery at the top of a set of stone steps.
This cemetery has some early settlers of the area as well as being an active cemetery being well maintained.
The “First Burying Ground Cemetery” name gives a clue to the fact that many of the earliest
settlers of the vicinity are buried at this location.
Some of the stones visible carry early dates close to the beginning of the town settlement date of 1808.
It is truly amazing to see some of the artwork and engraving still remaining quite visible on some
of the stones of this cemetery. An example is the Samson Hardy stone dated 1831, now 175 years old
and the 1820 stone of Wayne Banister.
As I was heading for my car to leave Rushford I heard the peel of the bells of the town clock telling me the
time…..almost as a thank you for visiting.
The thanks go to the people of Rushford for allowing me to take my “Walk Around Rushford Town”.
I hope you, too, will take a walk in Rushford…….
I also hope that you may have something of Rushford that you can share with others by sending me information and/or
pictures that will be displayed in the Town of Rushford pages of this website.
Email: Ron Taylor
Or, Mail: 200 Rauber St – Wellsville, NY 14895
