19th century South Glens Falls — Chowder party

Rain couldn’t stop the chowder party to benefit St. James Episcopal Church.

“An enjoyable chowder party was held on the bank of the river near the Stony Road yesterday afternoon. About twenty-five persons were in the party, including half a dozen ladies,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Morning Star of Glens Falls on Sep. 17, 1894. “The only unpleasant feature of the occasion was the heavy shower, which spoiled the ladies’ gowns but did not ruffle their temper.”

Chowder parties were a common entertainment at South Glens Falls.

“About 40 persons attended a chowder party on the riverbank above the village yesterday afternoon. All the epicures of two towns were in the party,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on May 27, 1895.

“H. L. Newton and David Adams entertained chowder parties up the river Sunday afternoon,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on June 4.

“About fifty persons attended a fish chowder served on the river bank at the upper sorting platform yesterday afternoon,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Morning Star on June 17.

In other 19th century South Glens Falls news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1895

• “Miss Edith Boyer, Main Street, South Glens Falls, was surprised at her home last night by a party of friends numbering about twenty couples. A pleasant dance was indulged in to the music of Holcomb’s Orchestra,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Feb. 21.
• “D. C. Callahan, marketman, is having a new wagon constructed and will be in readiness to serve his customers at home the latter part of next week,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on May 8.
• “S. R. Stoddard will photograph the Union School building and the pupils in attendance this morning,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on June 12.
• “From the sale of cherries picked from one tree in his garden this summer, Clark Potter has realized twelve dollars,” the equivalent of $448.82 in 2024 dollars, the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on July 10.
• “T. Z. Adams picked from his garden on Saturday and sold twenty-seven baskets of ripe tomatoes. He raised his own plants and originated the seed by a cross of two well-known varieties,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported on July 29.
• “An enjoyable family gathering was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brynn Jacobie yesterday. There were about thirty guests present. Dinner and supper were served on the lawn, a table twenty-six feet long being erected for the purpose,” the South Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Aug. 9.