Honor Chatham's 150th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1750 BY: Senator JORDAN COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Chatham WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the noble body 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 150th Anniversary of the Village of Chatham, Columbia County, New York; and WHEREAS, The Village of Chatham began like many other settlements which grew up at the intersections of early roads and along streams which could provide water power to run small industries; the development of Chatham as a railroad center fostered its growth in the late 19th and early 20th Century, spurring commerce and industries and drawing people to the growing community, which incorporated as a village in 1869; and WHEREAS, That same year, the clock tower, Chatham's most visible landmark, became the first village hall and fire house, and a great fire destroyed many Main Street buildings, which were replaced by the brick structures which provide much of the street's charm today; and WHEREAS, During the 21st Century, the Village of Chatham's prosperity, growth and regional importance were accompanied by great generosity and optimism among its people; the stately Tracy Memorial Village Hall and the Morris Memorial were constructed by private funds and donated for use by all; and WHEREAS, This sentiment continues today with the renovation and restoration of aging village structures along Main Street, Park Row and Hudson Avenue; these lovely buildings will now be able to provide another century of use to the people of Chatham and growing numbers of visitors who come to enjoy films of all varieties at the vaudeville-era Crandall Theater which due to its preservation, remains mostly unchanged from its original opening in 1926; and WHEREAS, Visitors and residents also attend live summer-stock productions at the Mac-Hayden Theater, wander through unique specialty shops, and drink and dine at numerous fine restaurants; and WHEREAS, As a main train hub, the Village of Chatham served as a center train exchange and boasted many prominent visitors and grand hotels; Abraham Lincoln stopped in Chatham on September 23, 1848, while traveling west on the Boston & Worcester Railroad after having made speeches in Boston; and WHEREAS, Former President Martin Van Buren often rode into town on horseback from his home in Kinderhook to visit an 1811 building which operated a hotel and tavern, and both Harry Houdini and Teddy Roosevelt were frequent guests of the Central Square which was built as the Park Hotel in 1815, and later known as the Windsor Hotel; and WHEREAS, Supreme Court Justice Sanford W. Smith and football player Josh Keyes attended Chatham High School, and William Coffin Coleman, the founder of Coleman, and actress, Marguerite Chapman were both born in Chatham; and WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the Village of Chatham continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Chatham, 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 John Howe, Village of Chatham.