Monday, October 5, 2009

Utica male persons asked to help clear snow from Railyards

Seems like only yesterday when, in winter time, and especially after a Big Snow, there was an announcement through the media asking for eligible males to assist in the clearing of snow from the rail yards at Union Station, Main Street, in downtown Utica. These men were asked to sign in at the Utica City Hall which, at that time, was located at the corner of Genesee and Pearl Streets. They were also supplied with a snow shovel which each male person carried on their right shoulder (as if carrying a rifle) and this "army" would march down Genesee Street to the Union Station where they were assigned an area to shovel and clear the snow so that rail traffic would not be hampered. This was a time when rail travel was the main method of traveling. I recall the newspaper photo which appeared on one occasion which showed about 200 men walking from the Utica Hall location to the Union Station. I presume the Railroad paid for these services and the City Hall used for its convenient location. And I also presume the railroad provided the shovels. I'm going to attempt to obtain a newspaper photo about this. I see I have my work cut out for me. Does anyone have aphoto to share?

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