A new book - Every new book project starts small and after beginning research on the new “Doctors of Sandy Creek” book we realize what a big project it actually will be. This community has had the great good fortune to have been served by competent and dedicated doctors, from the time people first settled here in the early 1800’s right down to the present time. The first physician in this area was a Dr. Porter, about whom not too much is recorded. We must give the honor of being the first local resident doctor to Dr. James A. Thompson, who came in 1815 and practiced medicine here for forty-four years, until his death. The County History (1789-1877) states also that his son, Dr. Allen Thompson, had been a doctor here for 43 years. This town has had several father and son combinations and three-generation group represented in the local medical profession.

The One Room School book costs $15.00

The History of Oswego County Bicentennial Book will be sold to the public for $10/paperback and $20/hardcover. The village office, town clerk and History Center will have sign up sheets available or contact me by phone (387-5456 x7) or e-mail at schistoriansandycreek@gmail.com

This will give me an idea on how many books to order.  This book and the upcoming “One Room Schools” book can make great giftsfor the history buffs on your Christmas list.

Civil War Booklet:
“Civil War Soldiers – United We Stand”  (42 pages)

During the Civil War the town of Sandy Creek, which in the census of 1860 reported a population of 2,431 furnished over 220 men for the Union Army. Few were the homes here that were not anxiously awaiting news of a son, a brother, a husband or other relative at the front with his regiment during the years of 1861-1865. On April 9, 1865, the date of Lee’s surrender, the old town bell that’s tolling had all too often brought tidings of the death of a loved one was rung for six hours, the welcome story that it proclaimed bringing joy and thanksgiving to all.

This book lists all who served from Sandy Creek, the unit they served in and a brief description of their service. Several soldiers’ stories are included, three are listed here:

“There were two – and they were brothers” Allen Joseph Thompson and James Granville Thompson….a story of two brothers from Sandy Creek who won the Medal of Honor.

View our list of Civil War vets from Sandy Creek

Antietam : Company G from Sandy Creek: Moreau J. Salisbury was struck by a bullet in the ankle or instep which passed through the heel, making a fearful wound which left him with a limp. His family donated his boots to the History Center to the delight of 4 th graders every year. Merrick Salisbury was struck by a musket ball that lodged in the knee joint under the knee pan was a mortal wound. His father brought his body home to be buried in Stevens Cemetery.

Henry F. Roberts was born a slave but gained liberty before the Civil War and served in Company F, 29 th Connecticut Volunteers. After the war he moved his family to Sandy Creek.

World War I –Veterans – Town of Sandy Creek – The War to End All Wars

As a one hundred percent American Township, Sandy Creek entered the World War with practically one hundred percent of her resources, and almost every man, woman and child within the borders of the township played a part in the winning of the war. Many of the pages in this book are the original forms filled out by our service men as requested by the State Historian for documenting the men serving from New York State. (162 pages, photos of veterans , maps, newspaper clippings, etc.)

Example form

View the table of contents

“World War II – Town of Sandy Creek Veterans – All Gave Some – Some Gave All”

December 8, 1941 – September 2, 1945

(246 pages –includes timeline, maps and photos and stories of our servicemen)

“ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Address to Congress, December 8, 1941

View the list of veterans

“Town of Sandy Creek Veterans – Freedom Is Not Free 1945-1960”

(225 pages – veterans, timelines, maps, many photos)

“Village of Sandy Creek – 130 Years”

(109 pages)

Everything you want to know about Sandy Creek Village History and many photos, including before and after photos! The California Block received its name from the fact that the money with which it was built came from California by the builder who was what is known as one of the old Forty-Niners.

Salisbury House served as a temporary home for many of the towns’ early settlers and the first town meetings were held there in 1825. This temperance house was the outgrowth of the inn “part frame, part log” kept by James Hinman as early as 1812, when there were only two or three frame houses in what is now Sandy Creek Village.

“Village of Lacona History – 125 Years”

(174 pages)

The Lacona Depot was the hub of village activity for more than a century and today is the office for the village offices. Blount Lumber Company was the largest employer for over 99 years. Included are many before and after photos of businesses and houses as well as family genealogies.

“Sandy Pond Memories I” (64 pages)

This book is the first of two that, through memories of residents and vacationers, tells a verbal history of the area. Although many attempts have been made to change the name of Sandy Pond, none has been successful. One of the names suggested was Wigwam Cove, reflecting the legend that an Indian Village once existed on its shores. Later “Ontario Bay” was used to some extent, but “Sandy Pond” is still more common and widely known, with the various shores where development has been carried on each having its own designation.

“Sandy Pond Memories II” (216 pages)

This book continues the history of Sandy Pond and contains photos and history not contained in the first book.

Abandoned Cemetery Books is a three book series which I began documenting in 2003 complete with a photo of every gravestone and includes a family genealogy of the early settlers who began arriving in 1801. (Rice Family; Pioneer/Goodenough Cemetery; Scripture Cemetery; North Road/Barnard Cemetery; Noyes Cemetery and Stevens Cemetery)

We have two active cemeteries and have to date completed only one.

Boylston/ Sandy Creek/Wesleyan Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery

“Farming – Towns of Sandy Creek & Boylston”  

This compilation documents early families, early farms and businesses associated with the farming community within the boundaries of the Town of Sandy Creek and Town of Boylston. Research began with the early migration of settlers using records including census, tax rolls, and local history books.

Town of Sandy Creek

Villages of Sandy Creek and Lacona  

Doctors* Optometrists* Dentists