The History of Springville, NY
 1975 -1999

1975 

-         G.I. contingent of 23 basketball shooters captures first place in the Erie County shoot for Youth on February 8^th.

-         Christine Weidinger, one-time Springville resident, appears in das Rheingold as a member of the Metropolitan Opera of New York City.

-         Larry Wegner, formerly of Springville, and John R. Andrews of 106 West Main Street participate in the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline,

-         Elizabeth Brown, G.I. orchestra director, is elected president of the New York State School Music Association.

-         The Springville Masonic Lodge presents William Schaper with a 50-Year Service award.

-         Construction begins on Shuttleworth Park located on the site once occupied by the MillPond behind the stores.

-         Christopher Stone Chapter of the DAR organized on October 17^th.

-         G.I. Griffins clinch their fourth straight football championship with their 35-0 victory over Pioneer.

1976 

-         The Chamber of Commerce plants Linden trees in the business district.

-         Bandstand in Fiddler’s Green Park is replaced with a new gazebo in May.

-         Springville celebrates the Bicentennial of the United States.

-         Plans are finalized for the construction of Colonial Park Apartments beginning in the spring of 1977.

-         New York State Mastitis Control Laboratory opens at Roswell Park Labs in the village.

-         New Middle School on Newman Street opens on September 8^th.

-         Nuclear Fuel Services announces it decision to suspend operations in the nuclear reprocessing field.

-         Train derailment occurs near Eaton Street in October.

  1977 

-         Blizzard of ’77 hits the area: 20’ drifts near Springville.

-         Cindy Shea captures the first place in the State Regional Bowling Finals in the Girls 15 and under division on March 13^th.

-         The Cattaraugus District of the Boy Scouts of America presents Albert Coia Sr. the highest honor that an adult scouter may receive – District Award of Merit – in April.

-         Mezzo-soprano Letty Snethen, a member of the Festival Singers of Canada presents a benefit concert for the Chaffee Hospital in the high school auditirium on June 4^th.

-         Jill Kotvis serves a 5-month internship as a research assistant for Congressman Jack Kemp.

-         James Oatman purchases the Smith Funeral Home and the Weismantel Funeral Home in September.

-         Tim Decker, of Springville, is named Golf Professional at the Casenovia Golf Club near Syracuse. 

1978 

-         New Highway garage is built on Nason Blvd. With facilities for servicing all village vehicles.

-         $1,8000,000 expansion begins at the high school.

-         Miss Sharon Odell is selected as a finalist in the New York National Teenager Pageant in Corning on May 5-7^th.

-         G.I. griffins again go undefeated in football and earn the number 2 ranking in the state.

-         Victor Manning serves as President of the Southwestern New York Association of Professional Photographers.

-         Ray and Dave Lipka win the Pierce-Arrow Society’s Vanderveer Trophy for their automobile restoration.

-         Gordon Rouse, a member of the Springville Fire Department for over 57 years, is honored by this organization at a dinner on June 19^th.

-         Bill Weismantel opens the Concord Coachlight Inne on Main Street.

-         Governor Carey attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Route 219.

-         First Annual Springville March of Dimes Superwalk is held on May 6^th.

-         St. Aloysius Catholic Church celebrates its 125^th anniversary and dedicates its new Parish Hall on September 17^th.

-         Historical marker is dedicated at the Fire Hall to commemorate the centennial of the arrival of the first train at Springville. (Springville-Sardinia Railroad)

-         The Lutheran Church presents Richard McDonald with the Lamb Award for his service to youth.

-         Charles E. “Ike” Krezmien assumes owner-ship of Walter’s Pharmacy from George Welch a partner since 1970.

  1979 

-         New Village skating rink opens at the tennis courts on Central Avenue.

-         Springville area is hit by severe ice storm in February causing trees and power lines to collapse.

-         Springville Field and Stream Archery Club wins the Western New York Archery Association Championship.

-         Open House is held for the recently completed Community Village Apartments located on colonial Drive.

-         First annual Lion’s regatta is held on Cattarugus Creek on June 10^th.

-         Charity Engel Cheiky, formerly of Springville is now serving as president of the Ohio Scientific Company, a producer of over 350 electronic items.

-         A group of English Boys and Girl Scouts from the Borough of Epsom and Ewell visits Springville on August 13^th as the guest of Explorer Post 524.

-         Area residents gather to honor Dr. Edmund Rothschild at a retirement dinner in August. 

1980 

-         Westinghouse and its subsidiary, West Valley Nuclear Services, commence clean-up operations at the West Valley site.

-         Ken Barie is elected President of the Supervisors and County Legislators Association for the State of New York.

-         Calico and Moms clubs honor Springville’s “Penny Man” Rich Seider at an open house held at the fire hall on March 30th.

-         Jerry King catches a 9 lb 8 oz rainbow trout on April 1^st in Eelpot creek to win first place in the Naples Lions Club Trout Derby.

-         Mayor Paul F Frank resigns his village position to assume his new post as Town Justice, Trustee J. James Neff is named mayor.

-         Radio Shack opens their new store in Ames Plaza in July.

-         John Hunchar sells Johnny’s News to Robert Parsons

-         Springville Academy – Griffith Institute, the first high school in Erie County, marks its 150^th anniversary.

-         Howard Simon retires from Simon Brothers.

-         Markers are installed at the Eaton Street entrance to the high school to officially designate it as “ Ingerson Drive” in honor of Robert  “Coach” Ingerson who passed away in October 1978.

-         Tony Baker of G.I. wins the Connally Cup as the best high school football player in Western New York.  Tony is the first from our school to ever sin this award.

-         G.I. completes an undefeated football season with its 33 – 6 romp over Depew in Rich Stadium. 

1981 

-         The National Club Football Association for 1980 names Alan DeLisle an All American.

-         A $150,000 fire at Lamb and Webster destroys the repair shop, 18 tractors and 4 trucks.

-         Erie County Sheriff’s Department establishes a substation at the former Springville Police Department Headquarters on Franklin Street.

-         Governor Hugh Carey officially opens the 219 Expressway on August 14^th.

-         The first flight of the Mercy Helicopter takes place to Chaffee Hospital from Children’s Hospital on September 27^th.

-         Jud Strunk – songwriter, performer, humorist, and poet is killed in airplane crash in September.

-         Rev. Andrew O’ Connor retires after 31 years as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. 

1982 

-         Recognition Dinner is held on January 23 to honor Grace E. Gentner’s retirement from a long, dedicated service to the Town of Concord.

-         Fred and Caroline Beatty bring McDonald’s to Springville.

-         Springville Elementary School wins first place in the Western New York Competition for Olympics of the Mind at the Orchard Park Middle School on March 17^th.  In May, they competed in the World Championships and were judged the “most creative” team participation.

-         May 21^st and 22^nd mark the 20^th annual Kiwanis Pageant of Bands.

-         The Springville Jaycees as the “Keyman of the Decade” honors Richard Wendle.

-         Thomas M. Reynolds becomes Erie County Legislator for the thirteenth district.

-         Norm and Marcia Dell purchase the Wallace building to house Countryside TV, Sales and Service since 1964.

-         Ralph Parsons of Child Street retires after 50 years of Scouting.

-         The Board of Directors of Chaffee Hospital honors Marie Seider for her 32 years of service as Recording Secretary of the Board.

-         Springville Fire Department commemorates its 100^th anniversary with a birthday party on August 15^th.

-         The Springville Journal marks 115 years of publication (1867-1982)

-         Allen Telaak, of Hamburg, bowls the first 300 game ever at the Concord lanes.

-         Marion Burns sells the Joylan theatre to Mr and Mrs Kenneth Killingbeck.

-         St. Aloysius School celebrates its 100^th anniversary. 

1983 

-         The Industrial Park on Waverly Street is officially dedicated.

-         The North Street electric sub-station is completed.

-         The January issue of “New York Alive” magazine features an article on the Springville Auction.

-         High School and elementary school teams both place first in the Olympics of the Mind competition held at West Seneca on March 12^th.

-         G.I. High School Orchestra tours Philadelphia from May 26-29^th and presents a concert at the Independence Historical Park.

-         Andrea Roncska of Springville is the top winner in the New York State Class IV Gymnastics Championship Meet in the 15 and over division.

-         Mr. P’s and the Good Samaritan Shop located in the F Schweizer Building are destroyed by fire on July 2.

-         Springville Rotary commemorates its 50^th anniversary on September 26^th

-         First spent (used) fuel assemblies are returned to the utilities as the cleanup of former Nuclear Fuel Services begins. 

1984 

-         Snow white-outs on March 11 results in traffic accidents involving 12 separate vehicles on Rt. 219 near the Zoar Motel

-         The Springville Skiing Teams, captures the high school ski racing series championship at Kissing Bridge over 12 other teams.

-         The Springville Travelers Motorcycle Club marks its 50^th anniversary.

-         Fiddler’s Green Camping Group announce Vera and Dick Randle as recipients of the “Field Directors of the Year “ Award.

-         April 11^th- SPRINGVILLE MARKS ITS 150^TH BIRTHDAY.