Honor Farnham’s 125th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2625 BY: Senator JACOBS COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Village of Farnham, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize events of significance which exemplify the history and development of the State of New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the borders of our great Empire State proudly resonates with its rich and noble history; and WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric and progression 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 Farnham, New York; and WHEREAS, The Village of Farnham was incorporated in 1892, and was named in honor of its first merchant, Leroy Farnham; during this time, three railroads ran through the village, thus creating a booming community; and WHEREAS, On September 18, 1899, the entire village was destroyed by fire; Farnham was then rebuilt and again became a thriving railroad shipping center for all areas, including Brant; an electric trolley system ran between Buffalo and Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying countless goods and people, many of whom spent overnights at one of four hotels; and WHEREAS, At one time the Village of Farnham had canning factories, restaurants, hotels, various stores, an insurance company, brick factory, and two schools; and WHEREAS, A playground named for village resident Steve Rauker was erected in 1987, and a veterans park was made possible through donations by local sponsors and families of veterans; the monies donated were used to create a memorial walkway and monument honoring those veterans who served; and WHEREAS, The Olympic Torch for the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics was carried through RT 5 in Farnham in June of 1984, by a Town of Brant Resident Jack Fox, 12 years later, in June of 1996, the Olympic Torch again came through Farnham; and WHEREAS, Through the years the population in the Village of Farnham has varied from 300 to 600 people; in 2016, there were 377 persons within the village boundaries; and WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of its Mayor, Jere Hoisington, two railroads run through Farnham, and this year marks the 94th Anniversary of the Farnham Fire Department; the village also encompasses a post office and two churches, Holy Cross Lutheran Church and St. Anthony's Catholic Church; and WHEREAS, Situated on Route 5, the highly visible Farnham Water Tower is a welcoming landmark to those entering the smallest village in all of Erie County, the Village of Farnham, New York; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history and enduring contribution of the Village of Farnham to the heritage of the State of New York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the village so that present and future generations may come to appreciate the unique significance which its history plays in the progression of our State and Nation's evolution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Village of Farnham, New York, 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 Mayor Jere Hoisington, Village of Farnham.