It was the city's last large privately owned park, then this Utica family made a change

1923, 100 years ago

A place to play

What a glorious gift from a gracious lady to the citizens of Utica! It is a large park with an abundance of beautiful grass and stately trees, a Lily Pond, winding roads, stone staircases, bathhouses and bridges over pristine Starch Factory Creek that flows through the property. It was the last large privately owned park in the city. It no longer is.

Maria Watson Williams Proctor, Utica's great benefactor and widow of Thomas R. Proctor, this week donated the Frederick Towne Proctor Park to the city. Its 50 acres (today more than 60 acres) is off Culver Avenue, between Rutger and Bleecker streets.

"I have already paid the city taxes on the land for this year," she says, "and will send a check for $2,500 to the city for running expenses for the remainder of the year. I ask that the park not be used as a thoroughfare because so using it cuts up the roads and endangers foot passengers, especially children."

The park — called by many the most beautiful of all the city's parks — was designed in 1913-14 by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., famed American land architect. Owners Maria and Thomas Proctor opened it to the public, but it remained their private property until this week when Maria gave it to the city. (Thomas died in 1920. The park is named for his half brother. Their father was Moody S. Proctor.)

(The Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute — today known as Munson — was established in 1919 by Maria, Thomas and Frederick Proctor and Otto Meyer. It was organized in 1935 and in 1936 offered its first public program. Also, the Lily Pond in the park has been in disrepair for many years, but it won't be for much longer. Volunteers with Olmsted City, part of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, is reconstructing the pond. Phil Bean Olmsted City chairman, says the pond is being recreated as it appeared in about 1916.)

1948, 75 years ago

County champions

The Prospect softball team wins the Oneida County championship and is preparing for the state playoffs. Players include: Wayne Oaks, Jack Jones, Bob Jackson, Howard Thomas (manager), George Jones, Elmer Williams, Bill Jones, Leo Huckabone (batboy), Harold Schmelze, Jim LaCombe, Chuck DeLong, Gordon Crill, Morv Helmer, Bob Jones, Bernie McKay and Joe Zieman.

In other news, Babe Ruth, great New York Yankee baseball player, dies at age 53. On August 30, 1924, he played an exhibition game at Utica's Knights of Columbus Baseball Park (part of Utica Park just east of the Masonic Home). More than 7,000 fans cheered when he hit a home run over the centerfield fence 500 feet away.

More: A bloody battle, president mourned and a major Boilermaker change: Mohawk Valley history

1973, 50 years ago

New pastors

The Rev. Leopold V. Prozny is named pastor of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in West Utica. He succeeds the recently retired Monsignor Bernard Janczewski.

And, the Rev. Edwin T. Comeskey is the new pastor of St. Catherine's Church in Vernon and of St. Agnes, its mission church in Vernon Center.

Meanwhile, Rome State School announces staff appointments: Benjamin T. Bell, plant superintendent; Irving A. Shaffer, personnel officer; Francis V. Yerdon, business officer, and James T. Kelleher II, assistant business manager.

1998, 25 years ago

New library

Four years ago, Kevin Kelly, then chairman of the board of the New Hartford Library, asked his wife, Nancy, to buy two bottles of champagne to be opened when ground was broken for a new library. As time went by, there was no groundbreaking.

"I thought we were going to have to give the two bottles away," Nancy said. But the corks were finally popped this week when ground was broken for a 10,000-square-foot library on Oxford Road. Janice Forte, current board president, says the new library will be four times larger than the current one at 2 Paris Road. More than $800,000 of the $1 million first phase of construction has been raised. It has no taxpayer money, but funds from individuals, large and small businesses, industries, professionals and civic organization. The second phase fundraising kicks off next month and will require $500,000. It will pay for exterior landscaping, interior work, furniture and equipment.

Paul Vitagliano dies at 59. He was a leader in drug abuse treatment in the area and a founder of Insight House (still in operation today). Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace says, "Paul was responsible for single-handedly founding and creating an organization devoted to helping troubled citizens in our county, known as Insight House. He will be missed, but his legacy shall continue with every person who has or will be helped through his program."

The Whitestown Fire Department Auxiliary celebrates its 50th anniversary. Sue Evans is president. Three 50-year members are honored at an anniversary dinner: Past president Rosemary Bethlehem, Marian Carey and Ida Bowen.

More: How a Civil War general, a Phillies manager and a sea lion made their start in Utica

2013, 10 years ago

Legion elects

The New Hartford American Legion Post 1376 elects Fred Williams as its commander. Others elected include: Duane Clark, first vice commander; Ron Quimette, second vice commander; Gary Fountain, third vice commander; Rick Simons, sergeant-at-arms; Don Gossin, chaplain; Dave Excell Sr., adjutant; Larry Winfield, historian; Dennis Thorpe, service officer; Nelson Pohoreskey, finance officer; Harry Preston, disaster officer, and members of the executive committee -- Aaron Starczewski, Glen Keesler, Bob Rothdiener and Harry Hartline.

Monica Lawendowski is president of the New Hartford American Legion Auxiliary. Other officers include: Janice Hurley, first vice president; Carol Heschel, second vice president; Mabel Kimball, third vice president; Mary Rogalski, treasurer; Helen Harrington, secretary; Cheryl Bowen, sergeant-at-arms; Barbara Lints, historian, and Jamie Keesler chaplain.

Donald Fowler is presented a 50-year-member pin at a special meeting of Amicable Masonic Lodge 664. Lodge Master Zain Haider makes the presentation.

John P. Talerico is elected president of the New York State Public Employees Labor Relations Association. He is Oneida County commissioner of personnel. The association is a not-for-profit group of professionals who represent the management of various public employee groups throughout the state.

Trivia quiz

What U.S. president said, "Anyone who does not like dogs does not deserve to be elected to the White House." (a) Theodore Roosevelt, (b) Calvin Coolidge, (c) John F. Kennedy or (d) Barack Obama. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: William Howard Taft disliked politics and once said a political party would be making a "great mistake" if it nominated him. But his wife, Helen, urged him to run. He did and won in November 1908 when he was elected 27th president of the United States. His vice president was James Schoolcraft Sherman, a native Utican and graduate of Hamilton College and now buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Utica family gives F.T. Proctor Park to city: Mohawk Valley history