Johnson City and neighboring Endicott, in the Binghamton Area, became known as the Square Deal Towns when George Johnson, owner of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, instituted a policy of decent pay, an eight-hour day and a health plan as a means of instilling loyalty in his employees. |
Keene is located in the heart of the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks. |
Martin Van Buren was the eighth
President of the United States. Some etymologists believe that the
expression "O.K." originated during his first campaign. It was supposed
to stand for "Old Kinderhook;" thus, anything that was "O.K." was good.
Van Buren's home, Lindenwald, is open to the public. Why the town
decided to name the high school after a comic character from a Washington
Irving story rather than Van Buren I can't say. Van Buren, who was
known variously as "The Red Fox of Kinderhook," "The Little Magician"
and "The American Talleyrand," also holds the record for the shortest
term as Governor of New York, serving 43 days before resigning to
become Andrew Jackson's Secretary of State. |
At the 1999 (not 1939 as the sign appears to say) New York State Fair, the water sample submitted by the town of Kirkwood was voted Best Tasting in New York. You may make of this what you will. |
The 1932 and 1980 hockey arenas are open to the public; the U.S. Olympic team trains in Lake Placid. |
Jell-O was developed in LeRoy by the Genesee Pure Food Co. One of the original flavors was chocolate. |