Cannonsville, New York facts for kids
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Cannonsville was a small town in Delaware County, located in the northern part of New York State. It was started in the late 1700s. The town existed until 1964. That year, it was removed to make way for the Cannonsville Reservoir. This reservoir is part of a big water system called the Delaware System. It helps supply drinking water to millions of people in New York City. Today, the area where Cannonsville once stood is part of the town of Tompkins. The town was named after Benjamin Cannon, Sr. He is remembered for either building the town's first house or being its first Postmaster.
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The Story of Cannonsville
Cannonsville was a quiet community for many years. People lived, worked, and raised families there. It was a typical small American town. However, as New York City grew, it needed more and more fresh water. The city looked for new sources. The area around Cannonsville was chosen because of its rivers and valleys. This decision meant the town would have to be flooded.
Why Cannonsville Disappeared
The main reason Cannonsville was removed was to create the Cannonsville Reservoir. This large body of water collects rainfall and river water. It then sends this water through tunnels and pipes to New York City. Building the reservoir was a huge project. It required moving many families and businesses. The town's buildings were taken down or moved. The land was then prepared to be covered by water.
Remembering Cannonsville
Even though Cannonsville is gone, its story lives on. People who lived there remember it fondly. Their memories help us understand what the town was like. Filmmakers have also helped to keep the town's history alive.
Films About Cannonsville
In 1960, a documentary film called Indian Summer was made. It showed the final days of Cannonsville. The film captured the feelings of the townspeople as their homes were taken away. A famous folk singer named Grant Rogers, who was from the Catskill Mountains, was in the film. Other local people also appeared. Well-known American folk singers Pete and Mike Seeger created the music for the movie.
Years later, in 2022, Indian Summer was carefully restored. This means the old film was cleaned up and made to look new again. The original film is now kept safe at the Museum of Modern Art.
The Fall of Cannonsville
A new short film called The Fall of Cannonsville was shown in 2023. It premiered at the Museum of Modern Art. This film includes interviews with people who used to live in Cannonsville. These interviews were done in 2019 and 2022. The film also shows old pictures and videos of the area. It contrasts them with how the landscape looks today. Both films help us remember the town of Cannonsville and its unique history.
