September 19, 1929 Sullivan Clinton Monument Dedication

Have you taken the time to look at the monument near the sidewalk at the library? It was dedicated, along with a number of similar monuments, in 1929. They marked the progress of the Sullivan and Clinton campaigns of the 1770s.

Detail of the plaque at the Interlaken Public Library
Photo by the author

Two articles appeared in the Interlaken Review with regard to these events.

The first, entitled, “Suggest Night Fires As Celebration Feature” 

A thousand bonfires along the 600 miles of shore line of the six Finger Lakes are expected to blaze on the night of September 21st, like the Indian watch-fires of a century and a half ago. As a spectacular night feature of the region's sesquicentennial celebration, the suggestion for such a celebration is made by the highway committee of the Finger Lakes Association

A longer article written by Wheeler A. Bassett about the events of is re-printed here.

History was made in Interlaken on Thursday last, September 19, 1929, when, in holiday attire, with banners waving and flags flying, the Sullivan monument recently erected on the library law was unveiled and dedicated.

Early in the day a party of twenty-two people including high officials of the state, formed at Seneca Falls to make a tour of the county, stopping enroute to dedicate markers at Seneca Falls, Burrough’s Point, Lodi, Interlaken and Kenedaia.

The party arrived at Interlaken at 12:45 o’clock, and immediately took lunch at the Florence Rest Home. By 1:30, the time set for the ceremonies, a large crowd had gathered on the library lawn. The High School faculty and entire student body were present and the Interlaken Boy Scouts, in uniform, were lined up near the monument.

The dedicatory exercises were under the auspices of the Interlaken History Club, in whose name the marker was erected. Miss Mabel Case, president of the club, acted as chairman of the day, while Dr. Frederick W. Lester, of Seneca Falls, was master of ceremonies. The local speaker of the day was Mrs. T. P. Currier, who, in a happy, inimitable way, told the story of Interlaken’s history. She was cheered by rounds of applause. After a brief prayer by Rev. R. D. VanWagenen, two Boy Scouts, Dedrich Willers and Clarence Haskins, unveiled the monument by removing the beautiful flag which had been draped about it.

Other speakers were Rev. William B. Clark of Seneca Falls, congressman John Taber and Dr. Alexander C. Flick, State Historian. Also, in the party were Peter Nelson Assistant State Historian, Cyrun Garnsey, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Hubert L. Mott, of Seneca Falls, J Devillo Follard and Rev. and Mrs. E. D. Morrill of Seneca Falls. Mrs. Morrill is the designer of the bronze tablet.

Generations yet unborn will view this monument with much the same thoughts as we view it today, and silently pay tribute, we trust, to the efforts of our citizens for making its erection possible.

How true those 1929 words concerning generations unborn.
Five-year old Dani Nelson fascinated with the relief map and finding Interlaken
Photo by the author.

 Incidentally, we may add, the committee was congratulated by the state officials for the secure and very appropriate location in which it is placed. In this connection, we may, if we choose, regard it as a memorial to one who has passed on—the late J. B. Bradley—for he took a great interest in, and it was at his suggestion, this marker was placed on the library lawn.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, September 19, 1929

We got a very hard freeze for the first time this fall last night. The ground was froze slightly. Ice formed ¼ inch thick.

My crops were out of danger of frost.