Last week’s headline regarding the Center and Pearl Streets Historic District receiving approval from the New York State Board for Historic Preservation was more than just an announcement from New York state. It was a lot of leg work and perseverance by the Imagine Forestville group.

That district is one of 19 properties and districts approved to be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

In the article last week by Braden Carmen, he touched on resident Nancy Adams Fry’s sentiments from previous articles. She said Imagine Forestville was excited to discover the deep history of the region tied to the Erie Railroad. Completed in the mid-19th century, the Erie Railroad connected the entire state, from New York City to Dunkirk, including a stop in Forestville. The railroad connected the people of Forestville with larger markets statewide and beyond. That increased accessibility sparked a building boom that gave rise to the elegant homes and thriving businesses along Center and Pearl Streets.

“You could walk down the street in Forestville, get on a train, and end up in New York City,” Adams Fry said. “This completely changed the village. It meant that there suddenly was a way to get good from the farms into the cities. It really established prosperity.”

We’ve been impressed with Imagine Forestville’s enthusiasm for years. It is a group of individuals who better their community by getting things done.

Add this state designation to the list that keeps growing.