Richard Palmer of Syracuse, a retired journalist, has written many articles on transportation-related topics. The construction of roads resulted in the development of communities along the way. Cortland and Homer were on important east-west and north-south routes, and as a result there wasn’t a community in the county that did not have at least one or two hotels, many of which still exist today as private residences.
Palmer, who spent more than 30 years as a reporter for the old Syracuse Herald-Journal, is a native of Palmyra, N.Y. He has authored numerous books and booklets on a variety of transportation subjects. One was called “Old Line Mail—Stagecoach Days in Upstate New York.” In the early days most major stagecoach lines and even community taverns were owned by a syndicate of stagecoach proprietors across New York State. The earliest known of these through Cortland was started in 1828 by Jason Woodruff—one-time mayor of Syracuse. These stagecoach lines were operated by a system known as “the rounds,” where stage horses were changed every 15 to 20 miles. At one time it is said more than 1,500 horses were owned by these stage companies.
The roads were also shared by pioneer settlers and “drovers’ who drove cattle, sheep, turkeys, and even ducks hundreds of miles to eastern markets.
Bring your own lunch if you wish, and we will provide a beverage and dessert. Admission is free for members of the Cortland County Historical Society (CCHS) and $5 for CCHS members-to-be.
This event will take place at the former Free Methodist Church at 9 Grace Street, Cortland.
Please call 607-756-6071 with any questions.
You may also like the following events from Cortland County Historical Society:
