Thomas is named as proprietor of California Hall where dances were held.

“When California Hall was dedicated in 1854” M. Years ago I came across this article in Sketches dated and pretty much forgot about it until I began research for the Sandy Creek Village book. This photo is quite interesting and is probably the earliest view of the California Block in the history archives. (NOTE: Today’s Sackets Harbor used to be spelled as Sacketts Harbor.) Submitted by: Charlene Cole, Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian It also had two tanneries, a grist mill, a saw mill and three churches. As the forests were cleared, the topography and fertile soils proved ideal for dairy farming and the cultivation of hay, corn, potatoes and fruits.īy 1853 the village of Sandy Creek had fifty dwellings, five general stores, four blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, two harness shops, two carriage shops and a hotel. Lumbering and potash production were the first industries, aided by water powered sawmills on Little Sandy Creek. Sandy Creek’s strategic location halfway between the fort at Oswego and Sacketts Harbor was cause for fear of invasion, driving off established settlers and discouraging new ones.Īfter the war, settlement by pioneers from New England increased. The early settlement of the town, beginning in 1803, was inhibited by the War of 1812. Relics, found near the Lake Ontario shore, are all that remains of an early Indian village in that area. Samuel de Champlain and a band of Hurons landed on the lake shore in 1615, but left after being defeated in battle with the Onondagas. Little remains from the earliest events and habitation in the town.

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