(erielack) Vestal Industries

["David Green" <davandli_@_empacc.net>]

Alan:

Here is what I have gleaned from my book, "The Town of Vestal, 
1823-1873".  I wish it was more:

The inside front cover shows a map (with property lines, structures and 
owners) of the hamlet of Vestal.  You might be interested in a copy of 
the map (email me off-list and I will send it to you).  There is a date 
stamp of 1908 on it.  The coal distributor at that time lists "F.L. 
Rounds" as the owner.  Across the road, a feed mill is pictured, name 
illegible.  Next to that, eastward down the tracks, is E.G. Taylor's 
creamery.

Vestal was a water stop for steam locomotives.

The following passage was written in 1955, and contains a reference to a 
feed mill existing during your chosen era:

Page 51:  "Jake Crane erected the present and only (feed) mill, now in 
Vestal, opposite the depot, now known as the George Crane & Son, G.L.F. 
Mill."

The following businesses went belly-up well before the 1950s.  However, 
they may be of interest to you.  This was also written in 1955:

Page 53:

"Paint Factory - Jake Crane erected a building on the present site of 
the Vestal Lumber Company to make paint from clay obtained from the 
Choconut Creek bank on his farm.  This operation took place between 1900 
and 1910.  It was closed soon, as unsuccessful."

"Safety Pin Factory - This industry took over the paint factory building 
for a very short time and then disbanded.  This factory was supposed to 
manufacture a pin with a special fastener, but it didn't prove 
satisfactory.  Many people who bought stock in this concern suffered 
considerable loss of money."

Page 57 shows a picture of the Vestal Paint Company.  It was a fairly 
large structure.

Page 62 has an April, 1950 photo of the hamlet of Vestal.  With a 
magnifying glass you could pick out quite a bit.  The layout of the 
buildings and highways is very, very different than today.

Page 117 shows a photo of the depot and water tank.  The depot is 
typical Lackawanna.  The tank looks like the common Atlas model.  Photo 
looks pre-1950s.

I think I picked up this book at the Vestal Historical Society, located 
in the old Vestal depot, on the parkway.  I think it was about $15.  
Maybe you would like a copy?  Also, you might want to pay a visit to 
this depot.  It has several displays.  It has been over 10 years since I 
have been inside so I don't remember what was there.

Hope this is useful.

- - Dave Green, ELHS #1366

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