History of Vernon NY

Preserving and Sharing Vernon NY's History

The Station at Vernon postcard

A view looking east from Verona Street at the tracks and depot of the West Shore RR.

Photo of Ard Judson Jr. and wife Jane (Jennie) Franklin Merrill

Ard Judson Jr. and first wife Jane ( Jenny ) Franklin Merrill. From Darlene Nodecker: This picture is in my possession. It is from a collection of old photos my Grandfather Roland T Merrill owned. Jenny was my Great Grand Aunt. Her father was Norton G Merrill, She was born on his farm on Rt.5 where the Utica Rome Speedway is now located.

Photo of volunteer firefighters with 1948 engine at Muster

Volunteer firefighters from Vernon, NY pose with their 1947/8 Mack Pumper at a muster competition around 1950. Possibly in Old Forge, NY.
Pictured are (L to R) Unknown, Bart Morris, Ralph Wingard, Jim Dam, Freeman Law, unknown, Fred Maciag,?,?,? and unknown.

Photo of Vernon fire company with Christmas decoration on roof

For many years, the volunteers of the Vernon Fire Company erected a lighted Christmas tree decoration on the roof. This photo shows the ornament on the roof during the day.

Photo of Vernon Odd Fellows Lodge

An old photo of the Vernon Odd Fellows Lodge, corner of Route 5 (Seneca St) and South Sconondoa St.

Log Cabin Flask by Mount Vernon Glass Works

Only a few of these historic glass flasks are known to exist (3), and are regarded as one of the most important and collectable bottles ever made in America. This one sold in 2022 for $41,000. Its importance goes beyond rarity - it represents a crucial moment in history. The flasks were made as part of the "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" United States presidential campaign of 1840.

William Henry Harrison ran as the hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, as the Whig candidate running against Democrat President Martin Van Buren. The Democrats suggested Harrison was too old be president (67), with one newspaper writing "Give him a barrel of hard cider, and.... he will sit the remainder of his days in his log cabin.". Harrison turned the jokes into his own slogan and advantage, adopting these 'common man' symbols of hard cider and a log cabin in a winning campaign effort that included banners and songs.

The log cabin-shaped bottle, with barrels of hard cider represented below the windows, and TIPPECANOE written across the front is a lasting representations of the "log cabin campaign"– the first time a presidential candidate actively campaigned to the public.

References:
https://www.oneidadispatch.com/2010/09/10/bicentennial-honors-mt-vernon-glass-company/
https://www.cmog.org/artwork/log-cabin-bottle
https://emuseum.nyhistory.org/objects/23290/log-cabin-bottle-with-cork
https://www.hecklerauction.com/auctions/120/view/?lot=51&view=7

View of the Mill Pond, 1909

A view from the north of the Mill Pond that was just north of Front Street. Visible in the background are buildings from the N.A. Tyler Lumber company.

Willow Vale Farm – 1950s Aerial View

According to submitter Jim Winterton, This is a photo of Willow Vale Farm, owned by his father Stewart G Winterton, from 1950 to 1962. The date of this photo is after a tornado hit the farm. The tornado took down their two silos next to the barn and barely missed the gas tanks across the road. The pea vinery across the street (Route 26) was destroyed as well.

Vernon Center School Photo – Oct 2, 1952

A photo of the Vernon Center primary grades in 1952-1953 school year.

Photo of J.J. Bartholomew

A black and white portrait of Bartholomew, wearing glasses, jacket and tie, with white hair.