Downtown 1890 — Dirt vs Brick

The debate over dirt versus brick streets in downtown Glens Falls continued in March 1890, as residents evaluated the difference in condition of a small section of brick paving that village officials had put in the previous year as an experiment.

“The section of brick paving on Glen Street opposite Exchange (Street) is attracting attention from observing citizens who are interested in having clean and dry streets,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on March 21, 1890. “The brick pavement has been perfectly dry for several days, while around it is mud and will be for some time.”

In other 1890 downtown Glens Falls news reported in The Morning Star:

• Henry Crandall wrote from Denver that he and Betsy would return from their extended vacation in the west the first week of March. — Feb. 17

On Match 5, The Morning Star reported that Henry and Betsy had arrived home.

• “Next week the work of putting a new floor in Perry & Sansousi’s tonsorial establishment, Glen Street, will be commenced. Other improvements will also be made.” — Feb.28
• Here is a reminder to buy local.

“The predicament of a fat man who bought his trousers out of town is illustrated in Coolidge and Bentley’s advertisement.” — March 11

• George F. Bayle, owner of The Boston Store in downtown Glens Falls, was elected a village trustee.

The Morning Star on March 21 republished a congratulatory editorial that originally ran in the Sandy Hill Herald.

Notice the general reference to Glens Falls as a city, even though the municipality was still a village, a somewhat common reference at the time which reflected the prominence of Glens Falls as a regional commerce center.

“George F. Bayle, the dry goods man, is a full-fledged city father in Glens Falls, having been elected to the lucrative office of village trustee on Tuesday. His remuneration consists in giving his time for nothing and getting abused for the the next three years by every man who has a grievance, or thinks he has. Such are the rewards of greatness.”

Meanwhile, several of Bayle’s employees were on the road.

“Misses M.C. Henge, L.A. Feeney, Kittie Mitchell and Effie Wait, employees in the millinery department of G.F. Bayle $ Co.’s store, are in New York studying the spring styles.”

Click here to read the most recent previous downtown Glens Falls history post.