Downtown 1888 — No place like Glens Falls

After about two years of wandering Germany in search of the idyllic place to set down roots, tailor Constance Schultz concluded that there was no place like Glens Falls.

Schultz had closed his former tailor shop in the Sherman building, at the corner of Glen and Park streets, in July 1886 to move to Germany.

He returned to Glens Falls in October 1888 to resume his tailoring business.

“During his absence he has failed to find a prettier place, or one that he likes as well, as Glens Falls,” The Morning Star reported on Oct.5, 1888, “He will be pleased to greet his old friends.”

Schultz must have marveled at the installation of electric street lights in downtown while he was gone.

“The advantages of our street lighting system become more apparent daily,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 13. “Last night a little lad sat on a Warren Street carriage block unconcernedly reading a newspaper by the aid of an electric light located several rods down the street.”

Meanwhile, a downtown establishment was getting a makeover after an ownership change.

J.G. Haviland withdrew from a partnership with C.V. Haviland, and C.V. Haviland, previously the junior partner, took on John R. Loomis as a new business partner.

“The dry goods have been removed, new shelving is being put in … and the store will be treated to a general overhauling, prior to putting in a large stock of groceries for the wholesale trade.”

Night toilers busy putting out the next morning’s newspaper enjoyed a diversion from their work when J.A. Hoyt of Schenectady, a former traveling flour merchant, and his “trained English greyhound” were visiting Glens Falls and stopped by The Morning Star office.

“During a brief visit at The Star office, Mr. Hoyt induced the animal to perform several feats which gave evidence of the possession of a rare degree of intelligence, and furnished considerable amusement for the office imps,” the newspaper reported on Oct.5, 1888.

I wonder if this Oct. 10 report was supposed to read “doozies,” instead of daisies.

“Overcoats take the lead at the Rochester (clothing store). And what daisies they’ve got, too.”

Guests at The American House hotel, at the corner of Glen and South streets, dined on fresh fish.

“That prince of nimrods, Landlord Pardo, of The American House, returned yesterday from a few days’ fishing at East Lake George with a fine string of bass, the largest weighing about seven pounds,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 26. “His guests will feast on fish today.”

Another Glens Falls resident shared his venison.

“L.E. Wait, who recently returned from a hunting expedition, bringing with him the carcass of a deer, had it cut into suitable size at Blood and Wait’s market and distributed among his friends.”

It was first-come, first-served, with plenty to go around, on this lot of discount garments.

“B.B. Fowler has just received 800 new garments for ladies, misses and children,” The Morning Star reported on Oct.29. “They represent the sample line of a leading manufacturer and were purchased at a discount of thirty-three-and-one-third percent. Make your selection now.”

Click here to read my most recent previous Downtown Glens Falls history post.