The Cranesville lighthouse
By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder 02-03-2024
George Washington Phillips, a leading citizen of the Montgomery County hamlet of Cranesville, made his home a lighthouse to guide motorists on busy Route 5.
Phillips was born in the town of Florida in 1890. His father, Myron, bought property at the start of Crane's Hollow Road in Cranesville and had a house built there in 1900.
Young George Phillips attended Amsterdam schools and studied stenography. He worked for S.H. Swift for thirty-five years in the knit goods business.
Phillips became president of Amsterdam, Chuctanunda & Northern Railroad, a short spur built to connect the main line with Amsterdam factories.
Phillips joined the Cranesville Reformed Church next door to the family home in 1915. That year he married Ethel Ann DeForest from Cranesville. Their one child, Roy DeForest Phillips, was born two years later.
Route 5 became busier. A 1960 reconstruction, called the Cranesville Arterial brought the road next to the Phillips home and the adjacent Temple of Israel Cemetery.
Phillips told a reporter, "They can't get much closer." Fearing for the safety of motorists, he began illuminating his home by putting lights in the windows and on the front and back porches. At its peak there were forty-five lights.
Hugh Donlon of the Recorder wrote, "The beacon (was) visible as far east as Swart Hill, adding an atmosphere of friendliness that well reflects sentiments of both home owner and community."
Phillips shut off his lights before midnight saying, "If they're not in by eleven, they can find their own way home."
Phillips's trademark was a flower in his lapel. In summer he grew his own and in winter made a daily trip to an Amsterdam florist.
Phillips's wife Ethel died in 1964. Phillips died at age 98 in 1989.
The church next door bought his home and used it for Sunday school and other purposes. Eventually church activities that had been held in the former lighthouse were transferred to a smaller residence across the road.
There was some damage to church properties in the 2011 Cranesville tornado. The former lighthouse of Cranesville was torn down in 2014.
PBR at the Ivy Leaf?
"Nice to hear about the old place," wrote reader Paul Miknavich about the column describing a 1947 brawl at the Ivy Leaf Tavern in Amsterdam.
Miknavich delivered large boxes of groceries there on Saturday mornings with his Dad. Paul's uncle Ray ran Forbes Street Market.
Paul said, "One thing that stood out about (Ivy Leaf) was that there were cuspidors on the floor at the bar - old school!"
As Paul was a young teenager he never drank there. During his tenure the Saturday night special meal cost fifty cents.
Paul said, "I imagine how it could have been turned into a real hipster destination, dripping with authenticity. Cans of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon beer) for $8. Atmosphere."
East Ender and retired teacher John Naple wrote, "After your column about the fight at the bar on Schuyler and Forbes Streets, my brothers and I tried to list the bars we passed walking to St. Mary's School from Eagle Street. Thanks for the memories."
MR. FIX IT
East End resident Emil Suda said his family had a supposedly portable Philco television in 1962. Suda's father was able to wrestle the rather large device up the stairs to Bill Hojohn's repair shop on Grove Street.
"Today one would not consider such a TV as being portable," Suda said.
Hojohn also repaired scale model trains. After retiring to a Wall Street flat, he regaled Suda with stories about visits to model train stores and manufacturers' show rooms in New York City.
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