An Unexpected Visit

The first plane to land in Schuyler County touched down in early October 1919 when it experienced mechanical problems while participating in a transcontinental round trip race between New York and San Francisco.  While flying a De Haviland biplane over Seneca Lake, one of the two men on board noticed an oil pressure problem so they quickly found a place to land.  The plane dove sharply, just cleared a wire fence, and landed on the Beahan farm along County Line Road, just west of Watkins Glen.  Children at a nearby school saw and heard the plane and the teachers decided not to stifle their curiosity. They dismissed school so that all could rush to the scene.  As the pilots telephoned Ithaca to acquire the type of oil they needed, the children and other onlookers climbed all over the airplane with glee.  Mrs. Beahan arrived with sandwiches and coffee for the two flyers who expressed their gratitude.  The oil leak was fixed and the two men roared off again on their journey, waving to the crowd below as they flew over.  The plane soon disappeared into the clouds, and the throng of curiosity seekers were left with a great memory of the day the first airplane landed in Schuyler County. (left click on the photo above to see a larger version of it).

Opera Houses

The Odessa Opera House (shown above) once stood at the corner of what is today Merchant Ave. and Main Street in Odessa.  Opera houses were the center of activity for many local communities in the 19th century.  Havana (Montour Falls) also had an opera house, as did Watkins Glen.  The building that houses Jerlando's Restaurant in Watkins Glen today was once the Freer Opera House.  The opera house in Montour Falls was torn down in the 20th century when the roof collapsed.  The opera houses did more than host musical performances.  They also were venues for plays, conventions, political meetings, graduations, movies, and even sporting events such as wrestling matches and basketball games.  Suffragettes Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt once spoke at the Freer Opera House.  The Odessa Opera House also housed the fire department.