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Basom, looking south, about
1925. Building on the right,
formerly the Julius Ingalsbe
store and Post Office in 1889, is
now The Trading Post owned
by the Bachorski family.
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Photograph taken from the
Alabama Sesqui-Centennial
1826 - 1976 book, printed in
1976, by the Alabama Historical
Society.
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The true beginning of Basom started in 1882. On this day the West
Shore Railroad purchased the land on which to lay their railroad
tracks. In order to get to Alabama though they had to go through the
Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The track was coming from Akron in
Erie County. Land had to be purchased first from the Seneca Indians
before the railroad could proceed through the rest of Alabama.
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The West Shore Railroad purchased a strip of land from the Indians
for $724. The deed from the Tonawanda Band of Indians to West Shore
Railroad can be found at Liber 155 page 349 of deeds, filed at the
Genesee County Clerk's Office in Batavia.
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The West Shore Railroad purchased a strip of land from the Indians
for $724. The deed from the Tonawanda Band of Indians to West Shore
Railroad can be found at Liber 155 page 349 of deeds, filed at the
Genesee County Clerk's Office in Batavia.
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There were to be two train stations in the Town of Alabama. The
first stop was what eventually would become Basom. (The second stop
was at South Alabama, or what was then called Smithville.)
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The West Shore Railroad openned January 2, 1884. From that point
up until the Hamlet was named Basom, this area of Alabama would be
refered to as "Alabama Station" of just "The Station".
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If you would like to read some exerpts about Alabama Station, from
one of Genesee County's early newspapers called the Progressive
Batavian, click on the link (STATION). The exerpts from these
articles reflect the building of a community. Hopefully it will give
you the feel of being there.
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As the years passed and Alabama grew, it was decided that another
postoffice was needed. Alabama Station was the logical choice to put
it. The postoffice was openned October 25, 1889 and the new location
was given the name of "Basom".
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There was nothing official in the Town of Alabama minutes about the
creation of this Hamlet. I did find the two following news articles,
however, which varify when it was named and why.
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THE DAILY NEWS
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Thursday, September 5, 1889, page 1
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ALABAMA
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It is reported that a new Postoffice has been, or soon is to be, established at Alabama
Station on the West Shore Railroad, to be known as "Basom", in honor of the popular
Supervisor of that town. The new Postmaster is said to be a Mr. Ingaisbe.
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THE PROGRESSIVE BATAVIAN
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Friday, October 11, 1889, page 3
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BASOM
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...That henhawk that was killed on the premises of S.H.Basom, was put up by Mr. Reynolds,
of Indian Falls. The hawk measured, from tip to tip of wing, 4 feet 1 1/2 inches. How is that
for hawk, sportsmen?...
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...We have a postoffice at the station: so now we go by the name of "Basom." Julius
Ingalsbe is our postmaster and the office is in his store.--get our groceries and mail all at one
store, for Mr. I. keeps a good assortment of groceries. And now, having a P.O. to start from
here, our "items" will probably get through on time hereafter.
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