The Scriba Historian

10/23/2026

Look what happened at the last Town Council meeting!

These three fab black and white snapshots were donated to the town archives by Dave McManus featuring early days, before 1969, laying water pipes along North Road, County Route 1 in Scriba, NY.

These photos offer a glimpse into the early days of water distribution within the town.

And today, these snaps remind us of the essential planning, ex*****on and maintenance of town infrastructure, past, present and future.

Thanks, Dave!











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10/21/2026

🔎 WHAT’S THAT OLD THING? — THE FOLLOW-UP!

Well, Scriba history detectives, you’ve had a look at this unusual stone structure, and now it’s time to take a closer look!

Built of distinctive stones and topped with a rounded feature, this curious structure raises some interesting questions. What was its original purpose? Who built it? And what might it tell us about the people who once lived and worked here?

Our local landscape holds clues to the past. Perhaps these stones were available to early residents from the land they worked, and maybe this structure reflected more than practical needs and provided a more elegant glimpse of what one may have seen beyond these structures.

This column-like structure is located in the town of Versailles, Indiana. And here's another interesting historic fact. Versailles is actually located inside the Johnson Township. This is an incredible discovery! The local government subdivision of the Johnson Township is surrounded by the town of Versailles!
The stones are identified as quartz geodes and chalcedony nodules. A Geode Grotto in Jasper, Indiana, has a similar setup. These bumpy rocks are set in concrete, and the spindle-like fixture at the base may have secured a gate installed between two columns. Did a mansion lie beyond this elegant entryway?

More research? Absolutely! Be sure to share what you discover!

🕵️‍♀️🪨That’s all for now, Scriba sleuths!

10/18/2026

Final Mystery!

And here we are, at the final “What’s That Old Thing?” question in our series!

Take a look at this column-like structure, seemingly constructed of stone. What do you notice? Any interesting observations or theories from your point of view? 🤔

But there’s more to this story than meets the eye! It’s not just the structure itself that sparks our historical curiosity.

Around our town, it’s rocks, rocks, and more rocks! 🪨 Have you ever wondered why? There’s a fascinating geological story behind the stones scattered throughout our landscape and maybe you'd like to comment on that. Where did these stones and rocks come from, and why are they so plentiful here in Scriba? Over time, Scriba’s residents found plenty of practical uses for them, from field clearing and constructing fieldstone fences that mark property boundaries and enclose livestock to decorative yard features and driveway markers.

Here’s a reminder that history isn’t found only in old buildings, documents, or photographs. Our climate, geology, and natural environment have helped shape and pave the way for how our communities developed and how people lived.

💬 So, what do YOU think this stone structure is?

Look closely! These stones are unusually shaped.
What was the structure used for?
Let's hear your theories!

Share your observations and theories in the comments. Let’s solve one last historical mystery from my recent trip together!

10/11/2026

🔎 HISTORY DETECTIVES: MYSTERY SOLVED! 🕵️‍♀️

🥁 THE ANSWER IS… A STONE HORSE HITCHING POST! 🐎

Did you guess it?

This fascinating piece of history is located in Aurora, Indiana, where remnants of these once-common fixtures still tell the story of a bustling 19th-century river town.

During the mid-to-late 1800s, Aurora was a commercial hub along the Ohio River, alive with riverboat traffic, business, and travelers. Stone hitching posts stood along curbs and sidewalks outside homes, hotels, and businesses, providing a place to secure horse-drawn carriages while people went about their day.

🪨 Look a little closer!

This particular post is made of limestone, a popular regional building material. Its iron mounting plate and thick, circular hitching ring are reminders of the craftsmanship that made everyday objects both practical and enduring. Such ironwork was often produced by skilled blacksmiths.

As automobiles took over and roads were modernized, many hitching posts were removed to make way for changing times. In historic communities like Aurora, surviving examples remain tangible links to a world when horses and carriages filled the streets.

✨ NOW, LET'S BRING THE MYSTERY HOME TO SCRIBA!

Blacksmiths played an important role in our local history, crafting and repairing the ironwork essential to everyday life.

🔍 Do you know the names of any blacksmiths who worked in Scriba or the surrounding Oswego County communities?

📍 Have you ever spotted an old hitching post—or another forgotten relic of horse-and-carriage days—around our area?

Share your memories, discoveries, and historical clues in the comments! You never know where our next piece of local history will lead.

The mystery may be solved, but the search for Scriba's history continues!



Sources for this information:

- Aurora, Indiana, historic district and local history materials describing the town’s 19th-century development, riverboat traffic, and surviving historic features.
- National Register of Historic Places documentation for historic properties and districts in Aurora, Indiana.
- Historical information about horse-drawn transportation, hitching posts, and the transition from horses to automobiles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- General references on limestone construction and blacksmithing in the Ohio River Valley.

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10/11/2026

The Scriba Veterans Memorial Park

We are proud to share that the bluestone rock memorials are now complete!

The bronze plaques listing the names of WWII Scriba Veterans have been mounted. It's one more meaningful step in creating a beautiful place where Scriba remembers, honors, and preserves the legacy of those who served our country.

The landscaping will be the next step for this special setting.

Because behind every name is a person, a family, a sacrifice, and a reason to remember.

Scriba remembers.

10/09/2026

🔎 HISTORY DETECTIVES: WHAT'S THAT OLD THING? 🕵️‍♀️

Take a good look! 👀 What do you think this weathered stone structure once did?

Notice the iron ring and hardware attached to the front. That little detail may be the biggest clue of all!

Before automobiles changed the way we traveled, our roadsides were filled with structures that served a purpose in everyday life. Many disappeared as transportation evolved and progress reshaped our communities.

But what was THIS one used for? 🤔

And here's the local history mystery: Did Scriba have similar structures? Are any still hiding in plain sight around our town?

💬 Put on your detective hat! Share your guesses, memories, or locations of any surviving examples. Let's see what we can uncover together!

Because sometimes, the smallest clues reveal the biggest stories about our past. 🕰️







Laurie