Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
Historian's Corner
September 19, 2014 - Contest Winners
Photo: Railroad Street (Harwood Drive) Lacona looking west
As we research the Doctor’s of Sandy Creek and Lacona book in search of proof concerning people and buildings in the villages we take many different avenues. Stratt and Jack Killam come in often and we sometimes get side-tracked as they share different memories, but we love it as we learn so much. While searching for doctor’s offices and homes I came across this photo again, but this time a different view.
Austen’s Hall (Lacona Auction House) and the masonry building shown in the middle distance in this view of Railroad Street at the western end of Lacona’s business district, was built in 1914-15, by Dr. Frederick Austen. It appears to be one of a number of local buildings constructed of 20th Century Blocks which were manufactured by George W. Presley. “Austen Hall” was a multi-use building, with Dr. Austen’s son, Fred, operating a garage in the basement level opening onto Powers Avenue, and G.W. Ackerman renting the first floor fronting on Railroad Street, as a display room for new automobiles (1915).
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“Austen Hall”, where early motion pictures were shown, was located on the third floor, complete with a colorfully-painted stage curtain and side panels.
By the late 1930’s the building was used as the school bus garage and later became the Northeast Feeds Store (Willis Payne, Manager). Harwood Lindsey sold Wayne Feeds there for several years before it became the Lacona Auction House. The building at the right, which is now serving as an apartment building, once housed Dr. Austen’s drug store. When this photo was taken, about 1915, it housed a clothing store and the First National Bank of Lacona, formed in 1912. The east side of the building remained the bank’s quarters until 1923, when the brick bank was constructed, now Pathfinder Bank. (Yesterday’s Album) |
Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
1992 Harwood Drive
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
315-387-5456 x7
office hours: Friday 9am to 2pm
www.sandycreeknyhistory.com |
