Honor Delaware’s 150th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1919 BY: Senator METZGER COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Delaware on July 27, 2019 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 Town of Delaware, in Sullivan County, New York; and WHEREAS, The Town of Delaware was formed from the Town of Cochecton in 1869; today, it consists of numerous hamlets including Callicoon, Falls Mills, Hortonville, Kenoza Lake, Kohlertown, Swiss Hill, Lower Beechwood, and Upper Beechwood; and WHEREAS, The Town of Delaware's history began in 1749, when the Hardenbergh Patent was divided; as men and their families began to settle the area, Sackett Road was laid to the Town of Cochecton with Wild Turnpike extension on Big Island in 1794; and WHEREAS, In 1835, ground was broken for the Delaware Division of Erie Railroad, and 13 years later, the first train left the station; and WHEREAS, In 1869, the Town of Cochecton was divided to create the new Town of Delaware; after a terrible fire and a great blizzard in

1888, the Town experienced many decades of incredible growth and prosperity; and WHEREAS, In 1899, the bridge opened across the Delaware at Callicoon, and St. Joseph's Seminary was founded in 1901; and WHEREAS, In 1909, the first full class graduates from Callicoon High School, and 30 years later, Route 97 opens; and WHEREAS, The Delaware Youth Center was formed in 1946, and ground was broken for Grover Hermann Hospital in Callicoon in 1969; and WHEREAS, During the late 1970s, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River was created, and St. Joseph's Seminary sold to the Federal Government to operate as a Lab Corps Center; and WHEREAS, In 2019, the Town of Delaware proudly opens the largest community solar project in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Delaware 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 Town of Delaware, 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 Edward T. Sykes, Supervisor, Town of Delaware.