HANOVER - Residents from all over Chautauqua County gathered at the Hanover Town Hall on Friday to celebrate Hanover's 200th birthday celebration.
The highlight was when Vincent Martonis, Hanover historian of 30 years, cut the cake, but there was much more to this celebration than just a delicious cake. On June 1, 1812, the town of Hanover was founded. Major historical items that were on display had great contributions to this town, but the biggest was Amos Sottle. Sottle was the first settler of Chautauqua County, and he settled at Cattaraugus Creek in 1796.
When Hanover was first founded, the fishing industry was a strong part of this town. "Hanover was very big for shipping and lumbering," Martonis said. "Those caused the growth of this region more than anything else."
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OBSERVER Photo by Jennifer Peters
Vincent Martonis, town historian, cuts the cake at Hanover’s bicentennial celebration. On June 1, 1812, the town of Hanover was formed.
The 1803 Article of Agreement was shown at the Hanover Town Hall as well. It was where Joseph Ellicott signed 640 acres to David Dickinson. In 1929, the Columbia Postal Supply of Silver Creek made the stamp canceling machine that was displayed. Famous paintings were shown throughout the room as well as Martonis continued to discuss the great impact this town has had.
There were more than 100 local history and geography books that people could browse through or borrow. Martonis closed his speech by not only thanking the town that made this bicentennial possible, but also Todd Johnson for his hard work and dedication as the Hanover supervisor.
This bicentennial celebration was a great way for the town to come together and also for others to learn more about the great historical impacts Hanover has had on Chautauqua County. Martonis showed the people of the town how coming together and working hard as a community can really make a difference.
The celebrations will continue today. At 1 p.m. there will be an unveiling of a New York State historical marker in front of Stagecoach West, honoring Everett R. Burmaster of Irving. After that event, Martonis will show a program on Burmaster at the Hanover Town Hall, beginning at 2 p.m.
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