A New Sketch Of Old Utica

[fiona]

Here on the North Eastern corner of Faxton and Genesee Streets, just above the Agne residences, we see the home of Rufus P. Birdseye, noted philanthropist, business man and banker. Strolling along under the elms is a bit like praying, don't you think?

[fiona]

O.K. Let's cross the road again. Watch out for those trolley tracks! And we can walk up to Avery Place.

[fiona]

Corner of Avery Place and Genesee Streets, West side of Genesee Street

[fiona]

On the East side of Genesee Street, corner of Genesee and Grant Streets, The Homeopathic Hospital. Almost across the road and just up a bit from Avery Place.

[fiona]

Continuing South on the East side of Genesee above the Homeopathic Hospital: The Utica Orphan Asylum: Utica takes care of it's own. Why have the trees lost all their leaves? Must be the weather. Changable. Brrrr. It's cold. Now I wish I had bought that coat at Frasier's.

[fiona]

And then diagonally across the road, on the West side of Genesee Street, the noble and laudable " House Of The Good Shepard." And I do apologize. It is ever so crass and selfish of me to want a new coat, when the poor orphans have only one at the most, and I have so many... Perhaps Mother will allow me bring some here.

[fiona]

Gazing down the driveway of the House Of the Good Shepard... my heart just aches when I think of all the poor orphans and what they must endure with no Ma-Ma or no Pa-Pa to love them and bring them sweets and tuck them in at night...

[fiona]

"Dear Aunt Lena: Recieved the pretty handkerchiefs which were very unexpected. I don't know how to thank you for them. From your loving niece, Emma." O, how very sweet.

[fiona]

Still walking South on Genesee Street from the Orphan Asylum and House Of The Good Shepard, it's been quite a day. It's almost four o'clock and here comes the trolley just in time to yake you into Hew Hartford. I can hear the bell. It is my hope that you enjoyed your tour as much as I enjoyed being your hostess. Aunt Blandina is meeting me with the buggy quite soon. We're going South for just a bit, just to take the air. I'll just sit down under this tree in the lovely cool shade and wait for her.

[fiona]

With all fond hopes for a wonderful future: As we travel on together down the road of life, may God bless you and keep Utica in the palm of His hand.

These final thoughts I leave with you, ere I return some long day hence...

from one of my especially favorite authors: Oliver Wendall Holmes:


HOME OF OUR CHILDHOOD

Home of our childhood! How affection clings
And hovers round thee with seraph wings!
Dearer thy hills, though clad in autumn brown,
Than fairest summits which the cedars crown;
Sweeter the fragrance of thy summer breeze,
Than all arabia breathes along the seas!
The stranger's gale wafts home the exile's sigh,
For the hearts temple in it's own blue sky

A.T.

[fiona]

Bidding you a fond adieu, always your especial freind and confidant,


Remember Me....

[fiona]

Credits:

1. History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925, chapter 130: The City of Utica.
[This information is from Vol. II, pp. 1823-1855 of History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925, edited by Nelson Greene (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1925). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 974.7 G81h. This online edition includes lists of portraits, maps and illustrations. Some images have been relocated to the area in the text where they are discussed. As noted by Paul Keesler in his article, "The Much Maligned Mr. Greene," some information in this book has been superseded by later research or was provided incorrectly by local sources.]

This work, " A New Sketch Of Old Utica" was concieved, arranged and organized by Fiona O'Downey of Utica, NY. contact at: [e-mail]. The title, "A New Sketch Of Old Utica" is copyright and cannot be used without the permission of the author. The characters mentioned therein, Blandina Miller, Helen Miller and Mary B. Wood were all members of the same prominent Utica family in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The postcards are part of my private collection, or where indicated, views taken from e bay, www.delcampe.com, www.cardcow.com, and other internet sources. Since the postcards are not copyright I was free to use them.

Technical as well as proof reading assistance was provided by David Griffin of www.morestories.proboards.com as well as www.windsweptpress.com.


Thank you,

Fiona


December 16th, 2010.