Jim Ford pens love letter to local lakes

Madison native pens love letter to Madison Lake, Lake Moraine

MADISON, N.Y. » Local author and lifelong area resident Jim Ford has spent many fun days at both Madison Lake and Lake Moraine in Madison County. Now, he is celebrating that experience in his latest book “Our Treasured Lakes,” sharing the stories of many others who have also enjoyed those recreational town of Madison waters.

“People like me who have lived here have a lot of memories of great times at both places,” the retired Madison Central School history teacher said. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be when you are near a lake.”

Through several years of extensive research, Ford has compiled actual first-hand accounts of the times gone by at both of the much-loved fun spots, presented in the book with short, anecdotal clippings mainly fromlocal newspapers. Those selections feature a blast from the past in themselves, hailing from sources like the Madison County Leader and Observer, the Madison County Times and the HamiltonDemocratic-Republican that have long since faded from sight.

There are stories, advertisements and plenty of photos to bring to vivid life the memories so many residents like Ford have of those Lakes -- while at the same time showcasing the glory days for those too young to have experienced it for themselves. The ads for

“People like mewho have lived here have a lot of memories of great times at both places.”

– Jim Ford, retired Madison Central School history teacher

dances are especially fun, showing the musical combos of the time, including the Oriole Club Orchestra and Woodhall’s Old Tyme Masters.

Motor boat racingused to bring in the crowds onMadison Lake, with the inaugural bouts datingback to 1955 when they attracted some 3,500 spectators to watch53 racers compete. Roller skating was once a big attraction at the Sand Beach Pavilion on LakeMoraine, and a June 1937 ad included in the book boasts soft drinks for a nickel, and admission for ladies at 25 cents and “gents” for 35 cents.

The history of Madison Lake goes back centuries before the first white settlers came to the area. A natural lake, which Ford notes is a rarity in this area, it was a popular placeof recreation for Native Americans -- mainly the Oneidas. Lake Moraine, on the other hand, was created especially as a feeder for the Chenango Canal system. It was also known as the Madison Reservoir, and was completed in the fall of 1836.

The Hamilton Republican article from June 28, 1894 recalls some of the fun of Madison Lake:

“Extensive preparations have been made for the proper observance of Independence Day at the proper place, Madison Lake. At the Pavilion, Martin’s Full Orchestra will furnish music for dancing, both afternoon and evening. There will be boat races, tub races, swimming matches, etc. No pains will be spared to make this an enjoyable place to spend the fourth. There will be fireworks in the evening,” the article reports.

The technology limitations of the time are remembered in this article from the Feb. 7, 1929 edition of the Madison County Leader and Observer:

“S. J. Reynolds and his force of men are cutting ice on Madison Lake. On Friday, 5,200 cakes were harvested. Mr. Reynolds has the contract to fill the milk station ice houses at Solsville, Bouckville, and Morrisville,” it said.

Ice also caused some concern at the then-Madison Reservoir, as recalled in an article from the March 9, 1876 edition of the HamiltonDemocratic-Republican:

“Thomas Stradling met with an accident on Friday last which came near resulting in the loss of his team. He was getting hop poles from the island in Madison Reservoir, and had drawn several loads home, when on coming round the north point, and about two rods from shore, the ice broke and let both horses into the water.

“The pole of the sleigh rested on the ice in front of them and kept them afloat. There was a party about one-fourth of a mile away cutting ice, who came to the rescue. When they had gotten onto the ice again hey were stiff with cold, having been immersed about 15 minutes,” the article read.

Doing the right thing has immortalized a young man in local history, thanks to this article from the Sept. 20, 1883 edition of the Hamilton Democratic-Republican:

“Last Sunday, Mrs. Rueben Harrington lost her pocket book in the vicinity of Madison Reservoir, con-

taining $195 and some papers. A young man, named Avery Buttles, found the lost article, and not knowing just what to do with it, brought it to C. W. Stapleton, Esq., for advice. An examination of the contents disclosed some papers which indicated the ownership. It was taken to Mrs. Harrington and proved to be her property.

“We are afraid there are few youths in the country just now who would have taken the honorable course that Mr. Buttles did in this matter, andheought tohave been suitably rewarded -which we presume he was,” the article states.

Ford called “Our Treasured Lakes” the final part of his post-retirement “bucket list.” He kicked off his history story telling back in 2005 with a series on the town of Madison, followed by books on the Bouckville Summits baseball team, the history of the Motts family, a biography of farmer/businessman Grove Hinman, the history of golf at Colgate University, and a look at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hamilton.

But he likely will never truly finishwriting about local history. Ford still writes a regular column for Madison-Bouckville Promotions, and is gearing up for some smaller works on the stories of the early settlers of the area.

He recalled he knew he wanted to be a history teacher even when he was in his third week of seventh grade at Madison Central School, thanks to the role model tor, Ford ison then in Joan both of Valley after on gree teaching the 1969. the Oneonta started graduation. from graduated Central in earn Central of late college, He his Colgate his at their Arden met own in State School Stockbridge master’s from Ford 1965 and first his instruc- Univer- College Seeley. Mad- right went they wife year and de

high son mater SVCS, 33 Moving years Central history Ford after before on taught a to single School at teach his his there year retire- Madi- junior alma for at ment veloped tory enth course graders in a 2003. 10-week in to 1986 He share local even for with sev- his- dethem in Madison. some of the rich past

like Now, the folks he hopes of times that gone just by Madison used to Lake enjoy and diving LakeMo- into raine, readers of today will dive into his book. And his offers his sincere appreciation to all of the people who enabled him to put his stories together.

“I want to give special thanks to all of the people who have helped me, through all of my books,” he said. “They were so generous in supplying information, photos and referrals.”

“OurTreasured Lakes” is available at Kountry Kupboard in Madison and the Madison town hall; at the Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton, and fromFord in person. He is available for inperson presentations -- for more information, call him at 315-824-1556 or email: jnford47@hotmail.com

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH BY MIKE JAQUAYS Author and retired Madison Central School history teacher Jim Ford holds his latest book “Our Treasured Lakes” detailing the history of Madison Lake and Lake Moraine July 11at his Hamilton home.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM FORD Former Madison Central School history teacher Jim Ford continues to educate about times gone by with his just-released book “Our Treasured Lakes.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM FORD The history of Madison Lake, along with nearby Lake Moraine, has been collected in the latest history tome by local author Jim Ford titled “Our Treasured Lakes.”

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH BY MIKE JAQUAYS Jim Ford looks over some of the research material used to compose his latest book “Our Treasured Lakes” July 11 at his Hamilton home.