Memories

The Oneida County Historical Society is compiling personal recollections of life in Oneida County from the early 20th century to the present. The goal is to learn what everyday existence in this area was like during those years; for example, the Depression, WW II days, 1950's, ‘60's, ‘70's and the latter part of the 20th Century.

Oneida County has a rich heritage which needs to be preserved in the stories of the people who live here. What did folks do in the Mohawk Valley, the Sauquoit Valley, Tug Hill Plateau and other parts of the county? How did daily life differ for those who lived in Utica and Rome from those who lived in the outlying areas? What memories do you have of your neighborhood, your place of worship, your school or workplace?

We want this to be easy and enjoyable for you. Feel free to write this in your own voice. Don't worry about dotting every “i” and crossing every “t”. Think back; pick up your pen and paper and write, or go to your computer. Please send us those wonderful old memories.

Everyone is important to us. Please don't be shy about jotting down your thoughts. Whether you're over 70, in your 40's, or still in school, please “remember” and write one or two pages telling about things in your era.

Send to “MEMORIES” at Oneida County Historical Society, 1608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. If you have any questions call us at 735-3642 or e-mail at ochs@midyork.org. Please identify the approximate years you are writing about. Include your name, address and phone number (e-mail address and age are optional but would be appreciated).

Your written accounts will be put on file at Oneida County Historical Society so that future generations can know what daily life was like in “the old days”.

Thank you in advance for your participation.
Memories Committee

Sample #1

Forest Hill Cemetery — 1945-1949

Summer evenings after dinner, five or six friends would meet and wander through Old Forest Hill Cemetery on Oneida Street in Utica. Usually we'd finish our walk at the top of the hill sitting on the steps of the magnificent Knights of Pythias monument. We'd do all the usual 1940's “girl talk”. And, oh yes, we would even have a cigarette or two. Back then, it was cool, it was sophisticated and there was no fear of cancer.

We'd look down over the valley and talk about our dreams and we'd always be friends. And today, nearly sixty years later, although separated by hundreds of miles, our little “clique” continues to stay in touch with each other.

The beautiful old conservatory, built in 1874, was also a stopping place in colder weather. Glorious flowers and greenery, with their multitude of scents, large pool with enormous gold fish and many, many wooden benches where we would sit, worry and discuss exams, grades, clothes and life in general. Somehow we were never disturbed by the fact that the conservatory was the place where funerals were held. It was so humid inside that the moisture would just roll down the glass paned walls.

No one ever bothered us or questioned us. We never worried about safety. We were simply “well-behaved UCA girls” who just sat and talked.

Today the conservatory is no longer there. It was torn down in the late 1970's. But the memories are still here, so many years later.

Sample #2

Do you remember?

Iceboxes; leaving a card in the front window when you wanted ice. Overflow pans that needed to be emptied out or else you had water all over the kitchen floor?

Lawn mowers that had to be pushed; with no motors; just your own muscle power?

Women wore hats to all affairs including church on Sundays. No Saturday evening services. They wore hats to the movies also.

When a small box of pop corn at the movies was a dime?

When Woolworth's five and dime in downtown Utica installed air conditioning; sometime in the 40's? The movie theaters at a later date?

When the first escalator was in Woolworth's in downtown Utica?

TV was getting very popular in 1949 or so. Color TV was much later.

McDonald's first came to Utica with 10 cent burgers?

Sunday dinner meant the whole family sat down and ate together as a group.

Having “good” Sunday clothes and then regular clothes for the rest of the week. Dungarees were worn only by men and used by farm personnel. Women did not wear slacks as they were only for men.

Haircuts were only 15 cents and nothing fancy; just “Bowl Cuts”.

Men did not wear short pants-only very young boys. Men wore "soft hats". Fedora was the name if I remember correctly. Hard straw hats in the summer. Young men did not wear head covering of any kind regardless of how cold it got.

Wrist watches came later, most men had pocket watches, all wind type; no battery type with all the fancy dials, etc. They wore vests, vest sweaters or long sleeve sweaters in the winter. Some had fancy chains on their pocket watches and placed them in their vests.

Men wore shoe coverings called "spats" over the tops of their shoes.

"Boot Blacks" if you wanted to pay to have your shoes shined, for a nominal price. We did our own. My older brother would go out with his shoe shine box and go to the more populated areas and shine shoes to make a few extra cents. I have kept the brushes and cloths and they are still in my storage cellar.

Ice cream parlors were places you could go to get ice cream and sit at small tables with uncomfortable chairs. Also "Soda Fountains" where you could get a soft drink, ice cream soda or sundae ( if you had the money ).

Life insurance policies were sold at $.05 & $.10 a week. Then someone would come each week or month to collect the money and mark it in your book and theirs.

Wakes for dead people were held in the house generally in the front parlor. All the shades were drawn in the house, a large wreath of flowers attached near the front door with the porch light left on. The viewing hours were at any time. There was also a group who would stay awake all night at the coffin. No funeral parlors with 3 or 4 hours set aside for visitors. The wailing & crying that was carried on and increased every time a visitor showed up.