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Valley Historical Society hears speaker on century of lumbering in the area

Valley Historical Society hears speaker on century of lumbering in the area

SINCLAIRVILLE — Members and guests of the Valley Historical Society of Sinclairville met recently for a speaker on a century of area lumbering at the Sinclairville Firehall dining room.

Guest speaker Susan Fredrickson Washington Sipos was the speaker on the lumbering industry by the Fredrickson Brothers Lumber Co. of Cassadaga. Mrs. Sipos’ mother Lillian Washington was a Fredrickson.

The Valley Historical Society was formed 47 years ago by the late John and Ruth Smith, and Walter Waite, Bill Hulett and the late Rev. John Rough. In 1978 the museum building at the corner of Main and Lester Streets in the village of Sinclairville was purchased and has gone through many years of renovations and restorations.

The Fredrickson brothers of Delmar, Albin and Paul Walter were the three sons of Alfred and Mathila Fredrickson from Sweden, and were born on Dean Road in Stockton. Their only sister died at an early age. The three boys attended school at the Dean Road one room school which meant a two mile walk to school and home.

The three Fredrickson brothers once operated the basket factory in Stockton, and after World War I when Albin and Paul Walter returned from the war, the three boys moved to Cassadaga in 1921 and purchased the boarding house on Maple Avenue which was run by their uncle Klaus Fredrickson, turning it into part of the factory. A saw mill was built to cut the lumber. The Fredrickson brothers built many houses in the area, and included buildings such as the Floral Hall on the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds and the Lily Dale auditorium. Lumbering was an important business in the area, and employed many people. Furniture parts were built at the factory including frames for chairs, and parts for caskets.

In the early 1950s the three brothers went from the lumbering business to specialties. Delmar continued to operate the sawmill, Albin operated the furniture parts building, and Paul Walter formed the Fredrickson Builders Supply across the street, which still continues. Mrs. Sipos had a series of display boards which showed photographs of the progression of the lumbering business for the last 100-plus years. The display boards had many photographs for all to see. Also on display were many of the wooden items made in Cassadaga including fancy trays, heart shaped boxes, book holders and a hand made carved chair. A very interesting talk was enjoyed by many.

The meeting was opened by vice president Betty Jean Ridout, who led all in the Lord’s Prayer. Historical Society treasurer John Sipos gave a brief history of the Pledge of Allegiance and then led the group in the pledge.

Historical Society secretary Evelyn Thorndike read the minutes of the last meeting. Treasurer Sipos reviewed the finances of the historical Society and gave a summary of the recent history fair held in Sinclairville. Following the meeting, donuts and cider were served, provided by the Sipos’ and Ron Halicki.

For more information on the Valley Historical Society, write to P.O. Box 1045, Sinclairville, NY 14782.

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