Archives at Cornell

Ice storm photograph album, Van Hornesville, New York

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 8546

Scope and content

Photograph album containing black and white images of the effects of the ice storm in Van Hornesville and the effort to make repairs in its aftermath. The photos were taken by a New York Power and Light worker during repair efforts. Buildings shown include Owen D. Young's residence, and also the Van Horn School, which Young founded. Also, a partial copy of the Albany Times Union newspaper of January 3, 1943; and a letter to customers from New York Telephone Company, January 4, 1943, describing the storm damage and the materials and effort required to restore telephone service.

Dates

1942 December-1943 January.

Language of Material

In English.

Biographical / Historical

One of the worst ice storms in area history was the four-day storm which occurred in Van Hornesville, New York, on December 28-31, 1942. Up to six inches deep in some places, the ice cut power and closed roads in the area for many days. One of those affected was businessman Owen D. Young, founder of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who had retired to his family farm in Van Hornesville in 1939.