Steuben County Historian

11/27/2024

It is time for holiday traditions. Some may be traveling to loved ones abroad, others may be having a smaller gathering. The one common theme in history and in today's world is the warmth of friendship and thanks for all that we hold dear in life.

As you plan and prepare your meal for tomorrow's feast, clean the house for guests near and far, or simply enjoy a much needed day's rest, take the time to enjoy this festive time of year. The people in these photos sure knew how.

Happy Thanksgiving!

10/10/2024

This is a very important project for Steuben County. If you are a Vietnam Veteran or know someone who is a Veteran who would like to share their story, please read this article.

We want to hear about your experiences to educate our future generations about this life changing war.

Robert Yott is compiling stories from Southern Tier Vietnam War veterans for a book timed with next year's 50th anniversary of the end of the war.

07/10/2024

SOLDIER MEMORIAL

SP4 William Francis Mocker
11 Jul ’47 – 10 Jul ‘68
B Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf, 1st Inf Div, USARV

Today's post is a somber but important history. On this day, July 10, 1968, a soldier from Steuben County made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in the Vietnam War.

Specialist Mocker died of burns received when the armored vehicle he was driving hit a land mine. He was the ninth man from Steuben County who would never return home alive. It was one day shy of his 21st birthday.

Bill is on the Wall at Panel W52, Line 9.
He was a 1966 graduate of East High School.
He was laid to rest at St Mary's Cemetery, Corning

06/21/2024

NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT!

Do you want a more behind the scenes look at the Historian Office? I will be posting pictures from my normal day working in the office. I will also post tips, tricks, and interesting discoveries!

Follow my Instagram (steubencountyhistorian_ny), or, click the link in my bio!

06/20/2024

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Today is the official start of summer! Do you like riding a bike, playing on a playground, going fishing, or do you simply like to have a picnic? Here are ten photos that have to do with fun summer activities from Steuben County history.

06/19/2024

SOLDIER MEMORIAL

Today's post is a somber but important history. On this day, June 19, 1969, a soldier from Steuben County made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in the Vietnam War.

LCPL Robert Lynn Hively
8 Jul ’50 – 19 Jun ‘69
I Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV, III MAF

Cordon and search operations were meant to clear enemy base camps and infiltration routes out of the hills and valleys southwest of Da Nang. CPL Hively died of wounds he received from gr***de and missile attacks while on such a patrol. He was only 18 years old.

His name is on the Wall Panel 22W, Line 089
He was a 1968 of Corning West High School.
He was laid to rest at Coopers Plains Cemetery, Coopers Plains.

05/15/2024

BREAK THE GLASS CEILING DAY

Today is Day and I wanted to share a person from Steuben County who has certainly broke the glass ceiling!

Georgia Verdier resides in Corning, New York. She holds a Master’s degree in Education, with a concentration in psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Public Service Administration. She is a retired health care manager, New York State Department of Mental Health.

She views herself as an activist, both in her church and the community. Within the church, she serves as Chair of the Deacons, Sunday school Teacher, member of the Women’s Ministry, Missionary Group, Welcoming Committee, and more. In terms of the community, she has been President of the Elmira-Corning branch of the NAACP for the past thirty (30) years, and is a member of the State Board of Directors. She is a Certified Diversity Trainer, Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (DST), League of Women Voters, EOP Board of Directors and many other boards and committees. She is the recipient of numerous local and state awards including the Jefferson Award, NYS Woman of Distinction, Woman of the year and more.

Her hobbies include traveling, as she has traveled throughout the US and to numerous foreign countries. She is the mother of two sons and has one granddaughter. She gives God the glory for the blessings he has bestowed upon her, and views her greatest accomplishments as service to God and mankind.

Ms. Verdier believes that life is a journey, and that individuals must lead by example. She is also acutely aware that footprints in the sands of time were not made by sitting down.

05/13/2024

I will be out of office tonight, May 13, from 5:30 - 7:00pm. Please reach out to me via Messenger or email [email protected] if you need to message me.

05/11/2024

SOLDIER MEMORIAL
Today's post is a somber but important history. On this day, May 11, 1966, a soldier from Hammondsport, NY made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in the Vietnam War.

SGT James Robert Hauss (NP) 26 Jan ’40 – 11 May ‘66
F Co. 2nd Bn, 9th Marines, 3rd MARDIV, III MAF

The 2/9 was based in the northern-most region of South Vietnam, just south of the DMZ. While defending their sector, the 2/9 conducted combat patrols. It was during one such patrol that a Marine tripped a mine and killing three, one of which was SGT Hauss.

SGT Hauss was a graduate of Hammondsport.
He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
His name is forever etched on the Wall at Panel 7E, Line 48.

05/08/2024

SOLDIER MEMORIAL

Today's post is a somber but important history. On this day, May 8, 1968, a soldier from Steuben County made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in the Vietnam War.

LCPL Frederick Donald Kemp (NP)
19 Oct ’48 – 8 May ‘68
L Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines, 3rd MARDIV

Operation Kentucky (1 Nov ‘67 to 28 Feb ’69) was conducted by the Marines to secure the Con Thien area in the Quảng Trị Province, from enemy forces. These search and destroy patrols were often deadly for American forces. On 8 May ‘68, nine Marines, including LCPL Kemp were killed from enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire.

His name is etched on the Wall at Panel 57E, Line 5.
LCPL Kemp was laid to rest at Arkport Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport.

04/10/2024

Does anyone have solar eclipse pictures taken in Steuben County?

I want to make an archive entry detailing the eclipse in the County. You can send your pics via comments below or email me at [email protected].

04/08/2024

Courtesy of Percy Mitchell.

This is a photo of the eclipse at Bath, before and after.

The before photo is at 2:50pm.
The after photo is from 3:21pm.