Our Town--Ilion, NY: A Selective Look at 300 Years of History

by Joseph Daniel Collea Jr.

About a village like Ilion--first settled almost three centuries ago--stories abound that make for engaging reading. Some are in praise of people who either inhabited or visited the town, while others highlight important events that occurred there and the places where they happened. Though these recollections emanate from a wellspring of satisfaction mixed with nostalgia, not every account has a happy ending. For woven into the fabric of any communal history, both good times and bad have been experienced. Though Ilionites have seen their fair share of both, an old pep rally staple appropriately reflects a pervasive, unfaltering "We're from Ilion, and no one can be prouder, and if you can't hear us, then we'll shout a little louder!" For all that has transpired in Ilion over the years, an enduring belief, one reflected by that vintage high school cheer, still exists and resonates among many of its inhabitants. Subtly ingrained and perpetuated in their psyches for generations, residents have embraced the conviction that their village...our town...is a special place, one with a heritage worth remembering, cherishing, and chronicling. It is not by accident that this spirit is seen in the welcoming signs to the village which proclaim that Ilion is "a place where tradition is maintained, while progress is achieved." However, the annals of this upstate burg, nestled in the historic and picturesque setting of the Mohawk Valley, clearly show that Ilion has had to deal with and adjust to the sweep of national events like the building of the Erie Canal, the death of Abraham Lincoln, and the fighting of the Cold War. Interspersed with these external intrusions were many pivotal issues that originated at the local level such as naming the town, selling of Main Street, and saving diseased elm trees. Over the years, many of these events were positive, uplifting experiences that brought the townsfolk together. For instance, the collective planning and support that went into a pair of extensive, heartfelt 100th anniversary celebrations, one in honor of the 1816 founding of Remington Arms and the other to recognize the incorporation of the village in 1852, were indicative of residents joining hands for a common cause. There were, of course, times that a divergence of thought was also evident, such as when deciding on the desirability of urban renewal or passage of a leash law became topics of heated discussion among Ilion's citizenry. In having a history to call its own, Ilion does not enjoy exclusivity. Every community possesses a unique story. But what makes Ilion's saga different and interesting is the degree to which the village has evolved over time, with is populace taking advantage of new opportunities when they presented themselves and on other occasions dealing head on with vexing challenges as they arose. With its own history intimately tied to developments in the state, country, and world, Ilion has experienced ups and downs which reflected the impacts that outside forces had on shaping its story. Whether read for understanding, confirmation, or pleasure, this book offers a diverse look at how one community helped New York live up to its nickname as the "Empire State," while at the same time serving as a local microcosm of the growth toward maturity that the whole nation was concurrently undergoing. Through all the decades of social, political, and economic change that came to bear on the village and its residents, Ilion was...and still remains...a nurturing place that countless generations have fondly called "home."

450 pages, Paperback

Published January 3, 2022

Reviews

[Kevin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about the history of Ilion NY and all that was unique to that town. In many ways the town was ahead of its time with much technology being produced such as guns, typewriters, velocipedes, Yale locks, farm implements, tabulators and so much more.

300 years of selective history, and the writing kept your attention as you wanted to learn more about this town and its town people.

[John Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unusual person who never lived there but married someone who did. Nice piece. Perhaps a bit overemphasis on the 1950's which I presume the author grew up during. Else pretty good book.