08/25/2026
Crosby Park Dedication
I want to express a huge thank you to all those who made a central piece of land in the heart of Hinsdale, known as the "Square" or "Common", to permanently be known as "Crosby Park". This endeavor started several years ago and took root very fast. It all started with Emmitt H. Crosby (born August 26, 1896) and his wife Mary Belle Cashen Crosby and two unique children, Helen (Keith) Farner and Howard Crosby. In 1920, Howard married Helen Caverly and they brought two wonderful daughters into the world, Ethel (Richard) Woods and Ester (Bruce) Moody.
Emmitt started a coal delivery business and built a weigh station in Hinsdale, as coal was brought in by carloads off the railroad. It was shoveled off and delivered by horse and wagon or sleigh in the winter.
Mary Belle Crosby was a beautiful painter. Thanks to Bill Farner, son of Helen and Keith, and Bill's daughter Holly, residing in California, for giving the Hinsdale Museum three paintings from dozens painted by Mary Belle, many believed to have been destroyed by a home fire.
Howard's wife Helen dedicated most years of her life as organist, treasurer and trustee for the Hinsdale Methodist Church.
As president of the Hinsdale Historical Society, I thank members who spoke Saturday, Christina Bartman, Wendy Bingman and Jan Bishop, granddaughter to Howard Crosby, as well as other member, Pat, Ann, Suzi, Andrea and Chuck, as this dedication took a few years planning.
Other speakers we thank were Hinsdale's Town Supervisor Deborah Duchesne, NY State Senator George Borrello, Brian Abram (representative for Congressman Nick Langworthy), Lee James (representative for Congressman Joseph Sempolinski) along with Mark Heberling, Catt. Co. Republican Chairman, and three additional Legislators, Steve Teachman (a great friend), Richard Smith and Kelly Andreano.
Have to thank Mike Mohr and his dad Tom over on the Haskell Road for fabricating the black Crosby sign. Along with those two, thanks to Gene Bingman and my brother, Wes, for helping install the sign. Take note that the sign is black and the posts are white, symbolic of a dairy cow!
We also want to thank our local newspaper, the Olean Times Herald, and workers Bryce and Jim, and also Kellen who came to cover the event as well as Noah Randall from TAPinto Greater Olean who also covered the event. Without the Reid Group, we would not recognize the name "Crosby Mini Mart", located thankfully in Hinsdale, along with other states and many locations throughout New York. Stop in Hinsdale's Crosby's and see our local history on the interior walls, thanks Mike! Mike with the Reid group put me in contact with Marcy, then the store's manager Angie and donated ice cream and pizza for the dedication. Also, thanks to Andrew, Reid Group Loyalty Marketing & Operations manager for stopping by Saturday. Thanks to Sarah, Anna and Sophia for lending a hand plating pizza and scooping ice cream at the event.
Special thanks to the HMPV Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their building and audio/visual equipment and expertise. Without volunteers like Kelly, Ed, Tom, and Sherri, we would have been lost. Finally, thank you to the gal who did the programs, was on top of advertising, and ran a couple of videos, my wife, Christine. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Thanks all!
I'm sure all the relatives of local farmers who made a living selling milk to Crosby's from the 1920's for several decades will always appreciate the name CROSBY'S!
Stephen Clute
Town of Hinsdale Historian
