The Sterling Historical Society has published its first eighteen month calendar – the last of 2010 and all of 2011. The tradition of being a popular place for summer visitors was heightened by train travel. For example, The “Cato Picnic” occurred every August from 1900-1912. Special trains (typically two trains of eight cars each) started in Auburn with stops at Weedsport , Cato, Ira and Martville. The Ira Band, the Cato Drum Corps and the Cato and Meridian baseball teams would go “All Aboard!’ The round trip fare was 35 cents. Highlights of the day were group picnics, baseball games between rival teams, the bands alternating with concerts, dance hall, two steamboats and a merry go round that operated all day. The present day home of Pete and Pat Hanford is located where the old Ontario Hotel was located along with some 25 cottages, a dance hall, picnic grounds, a tennis court, a baseball field, docks on the bay and access to the railroad.

Hanford Story Includes Early Ontario Park History and today’s SOFA. The Hanford home built by Dr. J.B. Hanford is the home today of son Pete and Pat. Like “Doc” Hanford, the present Hanford generations make major contributions to the community. Pete and Pat have headed SOFA (Save Our Fourth Association) for eleven years. SOFA events are featured near the beginning of the calendar. Community recognition is expressed by a sign “Thanks to Our SOFA Heroes!” in Phillips Park.

Recent Meeting of Sterling Seniors Featured a talk by Pete and Pat about SOFA. Pete credited the hard work of all the committee heads and volunteers for the success of SOFA. Contributors to SOFA activities include Bay Betterment Association, the Red Creek Legion Band, the Fair Haven Fire Department, the Fair Haven Community Church and Mayor Wm. McVea for obtaining clean up services. Pete asked for ideas from the large audience to improve the event. People in attendance offered their own remembrances of the 4th. He also mentioned changes that are in the works for next year such as additional bands for the parade and a larger fireworks show. He assured everyone that the future of Fair Haven’s Fourth of July celebration is secure. The three day Fourth of July program attracts thousands of visitors to Fair Haven each summer. It is estimated the summer population of Fair Haven is some four times that of year around residents.

The Fun Places to Visit Calendar ($5) featuring twenty four places is available in Bayside Grocery, Savannah Bank , Fair Haven Gift Shop, Fair Haven Village Hall, Sterling Town Hall, Fair Haven Beach State Park among other places.

This account and photographs are from the recently published book, “Our West Side Story, the West Barrier Bar Park” compiled by Pat Cooper Maxon and Susan Peterson Gateley. All profits from the book go to the West Barrier Park. It is available at Fair Haven Gift Shop.

West Barrier Bar: “Eyesore” to “Dynamic Guardian” of the Bay

(Part V – after ownership is settled as reported in previous columns, part as marina, part as public park)

-by Jeff Baker

Person at Bar looking out to lake is Pat Cooper Maxon

Things went well at first. The entire personality of the area changed. Cedar posts were driven to mark the parking and picnic areas, tables appeared, a launch ramp was begun, and a “restroom” was built near the pier. But, when after two years state money stopped flowing, Cayuga County lost interest and adopted the attitude held by the village and town boards six years earlier; the park was an expensive liability. The “restroom” was the first to suffer. This type of facility, an outhouse really, designed for use by ecologically minded hikers on wilderness trails, was unable to withstand the onslaught of beach goers it attracted. When it became the target of abuse, it was locked up. Soon the cedar posts and picnic tables became firewood for beach parties; roadways deteriorated, garbage began to pile up and once again rowdies established conclaves near the pier where they could menace both boaters and beach goers. In spite of the efforts of concerned citizens like Bonnie Bridson, various civic and church groups as well as Butler prison crews to keep the litter under control, the deterioration proved unstoppable.

In a 1997 AUBURN CITIZEN article, Charlie Itzin called the park “an eyesore — known more for its drinking parties, broken glass, and dirty diapers than peaceful, scenic Ontario views.” He called it “the forgotten orphan of the county park system,” and quoted fellow Fair Haven resident Sam Colvin, “It’s still not a safe place to go, especially for women”. Dave Holdridge was no longer in office as legislator and ultimately, the county decided that concrete block barriers and a chain across the entrance would minimize the problems. The park remained in limbo until 2004 when a developer approached the county with an offer to purchase the parcel. County officials were considering the proposal when grass roots West Barrier Bar Tenders sprang up to lead opposition against it. The sale fizzled but community interest did not.

Walkers on east channel wall

Prompted by public sentiment , the Village of Fair Haven and Town of Sterling boards took another look at the park concept and decided that a cooperative approach offered the best chance for a successful stewardship. They joined forces in an effort to promote and finance park development; it is anticipated that if the joint effort yields positive results, joint ownership is a possibility. The appointment of Pat Cooper to the newly created position of steward in ‘07 was a giant step forward.

She feels a real affinity for the land she patrols and the wildlife it attracts. Pat sees the West Side as a special place as do Dave Holdridge, Bonnie Bridson, Sam Colvin and Charlie Itzin along with countless others, looking back through the generations to the first residents of Sterling and Little Sodus in the early 1800s. The importance of West Barrier Bar as the bay’s dynamic guardian cannot be overstated just as the property’s potential to be a source of community pride cannot be denied. Here’s hoping community leaders are willing to meet the challenges involved in turning potential of the future into reality.

Note from “Out West Side Story”: “We are currently in the 3rd year of a 5 year agreement between Cayuga County and Town of Sterling and Village of Fair Haven. At the end of the 5 years the park will be jointly owned by the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling. Hopefully local control will bring stability to the park management. At this time there is a West Barrier Bar Park committee trying to navigate these uncharted waters of acquiring and managing a park. The committee’s focus is to continue management of the park as a more family friendly state than it has been in the not too distant past while maintaining its natural “feel”".

The Eldredge Role and Resolution of Ownership

by Jeff Baker

Frank’s son, Allen, born in North Fair Haven, inherited his father’s business acumen as well as his West Bay Road property including the gravel bar. At the age of 22 he traveled to India where he worked as an agent for Standard Oil. Upon returning home, he managed the family ice business and achieved success as a shoe manufacturer, restauranteur, and banker. Despite the fact that his businesses were located in Auburn, he maintained an active interest in Fair Haven, building the cottage on the water on the east side of Eldredge Point in 1933 and purchasing the Lighthouse Reservation, when the Lighthouse Service transferred operations to the U.S. Coast Guard.
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