Browse Items (39 total)

Number 12 on the Burleigh Map, the location of Hamilton's office alongside the New York Central Railroad suggests the importance of his operation to Caledonia's economy. In addition to his farming interests Hamilton (1832-1912) was a produce dealer,…

Number 34 on the Burleigh map, longstanding store advertised itself as "Again doing business at their old stand" in April 1892--after the February 1891 Caledonia fire. Run by William H. Walker and Ara Wilkinson, their partnership dated to at least…

Number 32 on the Burleigh map, the establishment of W[illiam] H. Walker (1839-1917) dates back to at least the late 1870s. His various advertisements are energetic specimens of the day, utilizing all available clip art and typographical tricks to…

Number 9 on the Burleigh map, the Erie Railroad was one of four different lines passing through or near by the town of Caledonia. At the time of Burleigh's panoramic map (1892) the railroad was in dire financial straights and by the next year would…

Number 41 on the Burleigh map, unfortunately not much is known about this establishment--a not uncommon fate when it comes to butchers and history. Laidlaw's business was in operation at least by 1878, as this advertisement shows; by 1898 he worked…

Number 23 on the Burleigh map, the blacksmith shop of Richard Reid (1860-1930) was an important source for the specialized implements of agriculture--both their forging and repair. Reid was born in Canada, then moved to America at age twenty and…

The son of a Scottish immigrant, Hamilton was born 1832 in Le Roy and grew up on a farm. After a brief time spent as a teacher in the upper midwest, Hamilton returned to Caledonia, married Jane Vallance, and had five children. Hamilton was a leading…

Number 20 on the Burleigh map, this seal of the Post Office Department is shown because Matteson's business probably was dependent upon his position as postmaster for Caledonia. In 1889 he first was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, then…

Number 36 on the Burleigh map, the office of Dr. Robert J. Menzie (1832-1915) probably was the most advanced medical care available in Caledonia. After completing his degree at the University of Buffalo in 1866, he moved to the village and…

Number 28 on the Burleigh map, just off of Main Street, the stables of Richard Nelson Pullyblank (1863-1951) date to a time when horse-drawn vehicles were the primary alternative to walking. Established in the late 1880s, his livery was praised by…