On The Sly

Foxy here's the 411 the h being added to the city. I was in grade school at Bailey Ave during the '50s and the mayor and common council decided to "officially" add the h. The problem was there was no clarification until that point. Some businesses spelled with an h and some without. I believe the mayor was Jack Tyrell. This is THE explanation there is no other. I'm sure there's a record of it dating to the early '50.s

Gary Snow, Beverly Hills, CA

(Foxy's note: I'm glad there's at least one "old-timer" whose memory is good enough to know this one!)

Yeah, anybody who grew up on Bailey Avenue remembers the old band wagon - what an idealic place to grow up in during the 50s & 60s. I liked the political displays best that Grandfather Bill Carr did with the bandwagon. Billy's right about those marching songs, John Philip Souza at his best. And the carver's got that right about Floyd's broom - man did that hurt when he got you. It was such a challenge to sneak into Bailey without paying and not get caught by Floyd. He really had a heart of gold - IF - you weren't trying to get one over on him. Floyd had some great stories that he loved to tell too - he'd talk your ear off if you listened.

(Foxy's note: More great memories! Thanks, Miney!)

yes foxy, the floyd you are referring to was Floyd Witt... he was the main man at the Bailey Ave Ball Park
from, I'd say, the early sixties on thru the 70's.
myself, Rob Anderson,Tom Ryder and "Dee duke the puke" Brian Rabideau spent many a day getting chased around the field by floyd and his broom, he was deadly with that thing! (if you've ever seen the movie "Sandlot") growing up around bailey ave in the 60's was alot like that! if you haven't seen the movie, you should , it's a classic..
PS: The PA announcer in those days was none other than former Dannemora great, Neil Breen....

(Foxy's note: Wow, the carver comes up with a big one ... and quickly! And the Neil Breen credit surprises me. The Carver continues to impress me!)

Foxy, I am the grandaughter of Bill Carr and although I was not born until 1954, my earliest memories of my Grandfather are on that bandwagon with my Dad George Carr. I also have several pictures of that bandwagon and may have some of the baseball field. I know I have a picture of my father in the announcers booth with the huge microphone, please let me know if you would be interested in these pictures.

(Foxy's note: Yes, Corrie, thanks for writing. I would love to see those photos.)

My guess is "burg" was for a fortified town at one time and "burgh" for when the town became incorporated/chartered. Anyway, P'burgh Hornets have another chance at Peru! Go Hornets! By the way Foxy, I'm in Ohio around Dayton. Yeah, I know, I'm sorry too! I'd rather be there in the North Country! Paul

Bill Carr, a wonderful gentleman in every sense. I got to know him when I played for the Falcons in the late 50's. He more or less ran Bailey Ave Park. It seemed like he was always there helping to maintain everything. Our field was always in A1 condition and as good or better than any in the league. Gary Jefferies was in charge of publicty at the time. He would go to Mr. Carr's house and Bill would place a total sound system on the top of the car. Gary would drive the streets of Plattsburg (no "h" at the time) announcing the game of the day. Complete with the same marches, all John Phillip Sousa's that he used in all his political works. Yes they were great days back then. I think in all the memories there were some terrific individuals like Bill Carr that always went a little further to make people feel good. Now it is up to those around us like "The Carver" who seem to have that same love for memories.

(Foxy's note: Does anyone recall a man named Floyd who might have been the caretaker at the Bailey Avenue games during the mid-1960s? Maybe after Bill Carr?)

Foxy I remember riding alone many, many weekends with my grandfather in the back of the car and changing the records when they ended. I think back in the '50s I could hum each and every march tune there was.
I remember one time we were out with the bandwagon, don't recall if it was for a sporting event or at election time, but we were headed south on Peru st. There were railroad tracks that crossed Peru st. back in the day. And when we went over the tracks the bandwagon came loose from the car and rolled back down the street and we had to go chase it and get all set up again to finish the day out.
In my collecton I also have pictures of the old bandwagon, which I will try to find. I have some that go back to when my father used to ride with his father.
And if you want to hear the Washington Post March maybe I can still give a little tune.

(Foxy's note: Thanks for the great memories, Bill! Those were the great old days!)

Foxy, what a great blog topic! Glad Jimmy Carr provided the family information. My wife's grandfather was Mayor Leander Bouyea, Sr., which you mentioned. Regardless who is elected Mayor on November 7th, we need to return to old time politicking!

Foxy, I believe the Plattsburgh spelling is to differentiate it from another city Plattsburg Missouri also in Clinton County.

Foxy,
I noticed in your blog today that Plattsburgh is spelled with and without a H. I was told years ago that if a city with a "burgh" with a H on the end had either a war or fort there. Could your readers find if this is TRUE?

(Foxy's note: Maybe Old-Timer or Sal Righi can answer this one. I always just thought that the old spelling of our city was without the H at the end, and then, somehow, in the Forties or Fifties, the H was added. Who can solve this mystery?)