Delta, NY - History of a Lost Village (New York State)

[@robertbaldygo760]

My roots in the area go way back. The farm of my great grandparents David and Caroline Anderegg and their son, Sam Anderegg was taken by the lake project. I grew up in Lee Center and in the summers of my high school years (66 and 67), I worked at the canning factory there. I knew George and the boys, Jim and Floyd Olney. I was lucky to serve as the County Sheriff on the lake in the summer of 1972. While I and my wife now live in Virginia I still maintain our membership in the Rome Outboard Motor Boat Club. Lots of happy memories brought back by your post.

[@LocalNYhistory]

That is so cool. I am going to do one on Lee Center at some point I have a whole book on it. Thanks for watching

[@robertbaldygo760]

As I said, I grew up in Lee Center. Most of my family went to the village, three room, K-8 school. My brother and I had the town Rome Sentinel paper route. I worked from age 12 to 16 in the country store there. We were related to and knew lots and lots of folks there. Our oldest brother still lives there. I left when I went into the Army in 1969 but I still try to keep connected to a few folks there.

[@jz55859]

The absolute best part of my childhood was spent living on Anderegg Dr. near the lake. Summer kickball and in winter Toboggan Hill. I lived most of my life in Texas but my Dad's company (Collins Radio) sent him to work on a project at Griffiss from '66-'68. In fact, that experience was so impactful that my little sister and I flew back there for my 60th birthday. The old neighborhood was virtually unchanged. We were gobsmacked. But the icing on the cake came when we visited Stokes Elementary. After being buzzed in to look around we were greeted by my 6th grade teacher, Mr. DeFabio! It was so surreal being escorted around the building by him after 50 years! He showed me my classroom AND my old locker. I knew him instantly when I saw him and he said the same about me. It was a stunning experience. I felt as though I had returned to my own little piece of heaven. The whole experience was like travelling back in time as nothing had changed. I'll never forget it. Thanks for the video.

[@davidmarks5400]

I spent many a good time at Delta Lake State Park in the 60's with my family. Interesting to hear the history of Delta Lake.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Absolutely

[@CH67guy1]

Thank you for this AWESOME video! My life began in 1967, living in Oriskany, NY. In 1975 my family moved to southwestern Pennsylvania. When I was little our family would “go to the beach”. And the beach we went to was on Delta Lake. I have memories of going to this beach! But I had no idea it is an artificial lake. Back then my dad was an airplane mechanic for Mohawk Airlines at Oneida County Airport! And for a short while my mom was a security guard at the same airport! That was back when there were no X-ray machines to scan luggage. You put your bag up on the table and unzipped it. And my mom would shuffle through your stuff looking for BOMBS and GUNS! It was a time when passengers on airliners behaved themselves. Would you consider doing a video on Riverside Airport? Not a trace of the airport remains today. My dad flew small planes out of that airport and I was his copilot! My parents and only sibling are now deceased. Your video brought back pleasant memories, and for this I am grateful to you. 💕

[@LocalNYhistory]

I will put Riverside Airport on my list! Actually, I will definitely do Marcy at some point so stay tuned and thank you for sharing your story

[@CH67guy1]

@@LocalNYhistory Maybe put Mohawk Airlines on your list too! Mohawk was headquartered at the now defunct Oneida County Airport. A perfect storm of financial troubles led to Mohawk’s insolvency, very sadly culminating in the suicide of the airline’s founder and president, Mr. Robert English Peach, in 1971. Mr. Peach was just 51 years old and resided in Clinton, New York. Without question, Mohawk Airlines earned a well deserved place in the history of New York State!

[@ricksmith4874]

I was fishing on Delta just yesterday. Got a nice haul of Walleye and Crappie. And years ago we use to camp at the state park quite frequently.

[@davesiringo7147]

Thanks so much for these videos. It's my childhood. Grew up in Turin Towne and we could walk the creek to the lake. My dad ra n the restaurant at Griffis AFB. Wonderful times

[@scottcook9823]

Excellent videos of Upstate NY.. I know alot of Onleys.. Grew up on the lake Thank You

[@tjmul3381]

Kudos, on another well done video. I'm enjoying each immensely.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Glad to hear it!

[@vtrack1963]

I just returned from the area after visiting family. You can still fish the Mohawk River above Lake Delta and below the dam. I would love to have been able to see the Palisades from the river prior to the dam being built. The lake itself has provided plenty of recreational opportunities over the years. The dam is very old (over 110 years). Perhaps it could be removed. Several dams have been removed in the Pacific Northwest.

[@lzugner]

I lived across the street from Jim and Betty Olney in Westernville and worked at the canning factory in the summer of 1970. I still fondly remember westernville and having Lake Delta in our back yard.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ssbn6175]

My Dad worked with Jack for decades...you didn't work 'for ' Jack Olney. Every year around Christmas they'd throw a jackwax party at their home, using maple sap that they had harvested themselves. When my baby sister went missing, Jack shut the shop down and every one of the boys made a beeline to our house. Jack and Dad both owned saltbox Jeeps; he had the Tornado OHV six while Dad ran the Hurricane flathead. Jack got there before Dad. They were both great guys.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Wow that is so great to hear. Thank you for sharing your story about my gramp and your father. Cheers

[@toddsmith-bergollo4410]

Fascinating video. I have ancestors who lived in the town of Delta and have heard stories about the town being flooded. Do you have any information about the picture that appears in the video at 8:00 minutes? I think the man in the middle (with the dog) may be an ancestor, Marion Smith.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Yes here is the info I have about that picture: "Seated in front of the cider mill are M. B. Smith (center) and his son Erwin (left) and a villager: Smith owned a 150-acre farm near Delta. The farm was the former home of Judge Ebenezer Robbins. Apple culture was the main feature of the farm. After leaving Delta, the Smiths moved to Westmoreland."

[@bran227]

Awesome video! A similar situation occured downstate at what is now the Kensico Resevoir/Dam, formerly known as the Village of Kensico in Westchester County. Might be an interesting video topic!

[@LocalNYhistory]

Sounds like a plan - I used to live in White Plains! Thanks

[@Echris21]

@@LocalNYhistory If you ever decide to do Kensico, I know someone who may be able to help. He's a post card collector and has a huge collection from that region.

[@LocalNYhistory]

I might and we should talk. My email is in the about section of this channel if you ever want to reach out. Thanks!

[@brit_h]

Another great video!

[@olikat8]

Lived in "New Delta Terrace" (off Old Turin Road) on Wager Drive in '77-'79. My dad was stationed at Griffiss AFB, but like the base, those times are gone as well

[@DP-wi6hm]

Very sad, but cool documentary. NYC reservoir system has a similar story. So much cool history.

[@josephbrandt6778]

So you are an Olney? I've volunteered at ft stanwix and have worked at woods valley as a lift operator...😁👍

[@LocalNYhistory]

Absolutely! I wonder if we've met. My dad is Mark. I live downstate now, though. Cheers

[@pbruteforce1]

Very interesting video 👍

[@LocalNYhistory]

Thanks!

[@flatusinteruptus]

Just found this video , my grandmother was born in Delta in 1904 , do you know if the Floyd name is related to William Floyd signer of the declaration of independence? , I have some framed Olney & Floyd can labels in my kitchen , awesome art work , thanks for posting.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Why yes it is! The "Floyd" in Olney & Floyd was William Floyd's Great Grandson

[@libertarian4323]

I lost a wallet in Lake Delta in 1981. I hope the ghosts of the former town of Delta are enjoying the $27 I donated to them!

[@LocalNYhistory]

hahaha

[@emsand6208]

As a child I always thought it was a joke when we went to the state park

[@terryatpi]

I’ve heard the church is intact under the water. ??

[@LocalNYhistory]

I've heard things like that too but at this point its more like house foundations and wells that are still there. I used to live in there and I remember seeing random structures in the woods like that