Downtown 1893 — New social club

Crandall Block was the place to be for the young elite of the social scene.

“Several young ladies who have banded themselves together in an organization known as the Young Ladies’ Social Club gave a pleasant little party to their gentlemen friends in Crandall Hall last evening,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Oct. 13, 1893. “During the intermission light refreshments were served in the anteroom. About thirty couples were in attendance.”

In other 1893 downtown Glens Falls news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “L.H. Leighton, the South Street grocer, tells readers of The Star that he uses only standard measures and weights,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 13.
• “William Regan, who formerly conducted a blacksmith shop on Ridge Street, has opened a shop at the corner of Bay and Fulton streets,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 14.
• Bernard Bixby of England presented a lecture on the topic “The Story of a Word” on Oct. 25 at the Glens Falls Academy.

“Mr. Bixby is a forcible and agreeable speaker who holds the attention of his audience from start to finish, and his remarks were listened to with pleasure by those present.”

• “The front of the new Scott building on Ridge Street is about completed,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 27. “Its appearance is artistic, and yet the ornamentation is not overdone.”
• “Ezra Hartman is going to build a new tenement building on South Street, opposite the Union School,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 27. “The old house on the property is being moved away, and work will be commenced at once. It will be of wood and contain all of the modern improvements.”
• John J. Kelly was preparing to open a meat market on South Street, The Morning Star reported on Oct. 31.
• The B.B. Fowler dry goods store had an overstock of winter clothing.

“The racks and tables of Fowler’s groan under their load of jackets. To reduce the stock, they will be offered regardless of cost,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 31.

• It was calendar season.

“Patrons of B.B. Fowler are receiving artistic calendars for 1894. The subjects of the illustrations are interesting, and the color is superb,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 27.

The calendar had regional appeal.

“We are indebted to B.B. Fowler of Glens Falls for a handsome calendar,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Jan. 12, 1894.

“J.E. Sawyer, the Warren Street dealer in carriage hardware and trimmings, is distributing copies of a tasty calendar among his patrons,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 1, 1894. It has an excellent cut of the Sherman Building, corner of Glen and Park streets, into which Mr. Sawyer will move into February 1.”

• This downtown retailer had established a regional reputation.

“G.H. Bassinger has been engaged in the jewelry business in Glens Falls for the past thirty-three years, and by square dealing has built up a patronage second to none in northern New York,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Dec. 1, 1893.

He had a dual occupation.

“Mr. Bassinger is one of the best opticians in this section.”

• Merriam Garrahan of Troy opened at meat market at 67 Glen St. on Dec. 9.
• The Grand Union Tea Company store in downtown at 144 Glen St. was giving away a 15x30 inch art print “Christmas Morning” to anyone who purchased one pound of coffee, tea, spices of baking powder on Christmas Eve.
• Passengers waiting for the trolley in the cold received a Christmas present, in a sense.

“Superintendent Crabbe has placed one of the old horse cars on the vacant lot owned by R.A. Little at the corner of Glen Street and Grant Avenue,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 25, 1893. “Persons who have to wait for the electric cars during the cold and stormy weather will find the improvised depot a great convenience.”

The shelter, indeed, was appreciated.

“Thirteen persons congregated at one time in the improvised depot, corner of Glen and Grant Avenue, during the rainstorm on Monday evening to wait for a streetcar. The shelter was welcomed,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 27.

• Ridge Street grocer J.C. Kelly admitted to getting caught up in the Christmas spirit.

“Perhaps in talking about holly and mistletoe so much lately, I have forgot to mention groceries. I did not mean to forget the fact that I sell them,” he quipped in a Morning Star advertisement on Dec. 29.

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