Knoxville Public Library

Who Knew? From the collection at Knoxville Public Library we present this week a glimpse into the era of improvement of paved roads throughout Tioga County. This brochure announced a motorcade event to celebrate the opening of the new two-lane road through the Cowanesque Valley, much of which is now known as Route 49. The front cover and center photo are interesting as to speculate the locations and viewpoints from which these photos were taken. Has someone seen these pictures before or have thoughts as to their whereabouts?

Who Knew? From the Knoxville Public Library, some more recent history of the Cowanesque Valley. Some of us may not recall the days of the "party line" telephone or its etiquette, as outlined in this copy of the Steuben Telephone directory from the year 1959. ... Here are the front and back covers w/ a sample of 2 interior pages.

Who Knew? A couple of nostalgic items pertaining to the Payne's Dairy bottling and store business on Route 49 in Deerfield Township. The article was written by C.J. Houghtaling in the Free Press Courier dated May 20, 1992. The Deerfield Township Bicentennial Book published in 2014 contains a detailed article about the dairy from an interview with Bernard Payne, and includes photos from inside and outside the dairy store. ... Copies of the book are available at the Library or from the Deerfield Supervisors Office, PM the Library for details.

The Knoxville Public Library was happy to share National Library Week with you! Thanks to all who participated. The week ended yesterday, but we had one final review that was not posted: From our Library patron member, Sheila: "I like many series but really liked the Book Wanderers, by Anna James. It was very interesting to follow kids as they wandered from book to book. I didn't like it when the Book Binder was trying to close the books so that they could not travel from o...ne book to another." The Knoxville Public Library has this series, and so many more! Come in and check us out!

Who Knew? Knoxville Opera House was a theater in the Cooperative G.L.F. (Grange League Federation) mill building near the New York Central railway station. It had 300 seats and offered a variety of entertainment and could be rented for meetings, dances, or parties as well. It thrived from the 1880s until before World War I. It was managed by Mr. Thomas C. Campbell, who was also the NYC station agent during that era. Two vintage clippings offer a glimpse into local performances one could attend in 1911 and 1912. When the Opera House closed, it became warehouse space for the feed mill later known as the Agway. These are from the Knoxville Courier.

The Knoxville Public Library invites you to enjoy National Library Week with us! Share a favorite book and why you liked it. From life long library user, Lydia: "Many people are familiar with The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, but few have explored the treasure trove of J. R. R. Tolkien’s other works. ... Beren & Luthien is a beautiful love story that was close to Tolkien’s heart. It also served as an important part of the larger framework of the expansive fantasy world he created. If you admire the against-all-odds relationship between Aragorn & Arwen in The Lord of the Rings, check out Beren & Luthien today!"

The Knoxville Public Library has everything Seussical!

We made the local papers!https://www.tiogapublishing.com//article_40358b47-b825-521

Who Knew? This week from Knoxville Public Library we bring you some nostalgia from only 50 years ago, in 1971. That year, Gertrude Case was the honored guest at the Cowanesque Valley Alumni Assoc. dinner. ... The menu and details are on the mimeographed postcard, and Miss Case's remarks in her handwriting are also included. How many of us can recall Miss Case? Can someone recall that year's dinner? She and Mr. Glover were both staunch Library supporters as well.

Who Knew? As the Library marks its 100th anniversary this year, we pull from local history the following tidbits of what life was like in the year 1921:... If you were shopping for a new car, you could buy a Ford at George Poley's or get a Chevrolet brand-new from H.B. Matteson right here in town. H.B. Matteson, whose full name was Herman Burt Matteson, was a farmer who also had a farm machinery dealership here in the Knoxville area for more than 35 years. H.B. Matteson died in 1948. Once you had your new auto, you might want something for your home. Why not indulge in the current rage and splurge for a new record player in this handsome cabinet that would look so nice in your parlor? Henry Griggs first sold fine furniture and later had a funeral home on South Water Street for many years. During the early months of 1921, Mrs. Mary V. Holbert was hosting meetings to begin organizing the first Knoxville Library Board of Directors. These folks met during February and March of that year with a public library for the town as their goal.

KPL 100 and You We have something a little extra sweet for the month of February. To help celebrate our centennial at the Knoxville Public Library, we plan to bring fun trivia and games each month. Receive a ticket with your name for right answers (stopping in, emailing, or responding to the posting). A winner will be drawn from the tickets on February 12th, for the prize in the photo. February's trivia:... By the late 1920’s, a Knoxville fellow could visit this person’s business in town to buy a bouquet of flowers for his sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. What is the first and last name of the business person? For 2 extra tickets: name the occupation of that person when that individual first arrived in town in 1918.

Tonight is the night! Tree and park lighting will be at 6:30 with cocoa, a fire, and candy bar bingo for the kids. Dress for the weather and please wear your mask. You don't want to miss this! Many thanks to Cliff Stermer & family, and all who donated time and money to make this a very special event.

Billings Park has been getting some festive new additions for this year's holiday, spearheaded by Cliff Stermer and family, and things are looking great for this week's tree lighting! Through the years the Park has seen many happy groups, and a couple of these images from the history files are presented here. Although there is no date for the early photo, it was in an album with other things from around 1911. The color photo is from 1998, when the Yoked Church had an event there.

Rails to History will be open this Saturday, October 17, 10 am - 2 pm. Come visit while spending time at the Fall Festival! http://www.thehomepagenetwork.com/rails-to-history/

Who Knew? This week we deviate from our norm to go where trendy pop culture meets history: For those of us who are currently sitting through the currently-trendy Netflix drama "The Crown", which is NOT a documentary .... most of us here in America have never been acquainted with Lady Diana Spencer's family, let alone her American roots. Imagine the surprise when her real Anglo-Irish Fermoy baroness grandmother, Mrs. Burke-Roche, appears in Season 4, when Diana's character a...ppears! Her grandma, "Lady Fermoy", appears alongside Diana in episodes 1 & 2, acting as erstwhile chaperone/proponent as the young lady is being pushed into the royal family. The connection is outlined from the factual side in Chap. 8, "Regina" which outlines the wealthy New York horseman ancestor of Lady Diana in Ellen's recent book "Out of the Woods". Fact from fiction!

Who Knew? We are seeking help with identifying some folks in the accompanying photo. It is a group of young mothers with their children, several are known but we are hoping folks might be able to help with the unknown ladies and tots. Those we know: Eleanor Chapin Robbins on the floor at left with .... her child? Behind her on sofa from left we believe: Eloise Brass Kelts with child ....?, Eleanor Wood Cobb with child .....?, her sister Naoma Wood Leathers with child ..... ma...ybe Stan/Doren?, next woman on sofa right and child unknown, woman on floor right unknown? Also woman at far left in chair with child on lap, any ideas? Thanks for any clues! This group of gals represent the post-war Baby Boom era, and some of the kids (you know who you are!) may have seen a similar picture before? Also we would welcome thoughts if someone can identify whose home where this picture was taken. It is quite rich also to see the playthings some might recall. A good time looks to have been had by all.

Starting December 1st!

The Knoxville Public Library's Fund Drive is happening right now. Please donate to keep the programs and events coming, as well as new books and DvDs for your use. You are the reason that we provide these services, and with the world returning to somewhat normal, we plan to do much more! Thank you.

Who Knew? Mr. Glover's book "Bucktailed Wildcats" was published in 1960 and remains a popular local title on the topic. The Library has a copy available to circulate, so if you've heard of this book and want to read it, come on in and ask. If you have a valid, current library card at any of the Potter-Tioga Library System libraries you may borrow this book. If you don't have a card and want to find out how to get one, PM this page or phone 814-326-4448 for details.

Knoxville Public Library closes at 2 PM today, and will reopen on Saturday at 10 AM. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Who Knew? From the Knoxville Public Library historical collection: The Knoxville Community Band was organized in 1938 and played regularly into the early 1940s. It marched in parades from Galeton to Elmira, NY, and even went on a bus to play at the PA Farm Show in January 1941 (before the US entered the war and the Farm Show was suspended for a few years). Many people rotated in and out of this group of musicians,... and it included this partial list of participants. There were many others who are not named on this list from a winter concert in 1941. The 1942 concert program lists several patriotic selections as all eyes were then focused on the war. Does someone have a grandparent or parent who was in this band?

More Extended Hours for KPL!

Who Knew? Two images from Knoxville's days gone by. The men are all named,however the young ladies are only partially identified. If anyone has ideas, please share. Both photos are undated, appear to be around turn of the century.