Sodus, Birthplace of Arbor Day

History - Sodus

Sodus, Birthplace of Arbor Day

The Newark Courier

May 11, 1916

That Arbor Day, as observed annually throughout New York State, had its origin in the Town of Sodus, is not generally known. It was in the year 1881, seven years before, a Sodus official, serving as school commissioner, pushed the matter before the Legislature, that an agitation was started here for the planting of shade trees on school grounds. the following communication, signed "E.C.D." with Sodus Center date, appeared in the Wayne County Alliance, edited by Willis C. Teall, in the issue of April 22, 1881, under the headline of "Shade Trees." -

We would respectfully call the attention of teachers, trustees and patrons to the desolate and uninviting appearance of nearly all our school grounds. The chronic neglect to render them a little more pleasant and attractive is unjustifiable. In one point the lots can be materially improved with but little expense and a little time. We refer to the transplanting of shade trees. Let Sodus take the initiative in this move, and other towns may follow. This is simply justice to the children. Let us see to it that the spring of 1881 may not become a period of the past without finding every school yard in the town properly planted with shade trees.

In that year, Edward C. DeLano, the writer of the above communication, was elected school commissioner for Wayne county, and immediately began an agitation for the proper observance of 'Arbor Day.' He worked so zealously for the cause, both in office and out of office, that the State Legislature of 1888 enacted the present Arbor Day statute.

In 1888 Mr. Delano was appointed chief examiner in the State Department of Public Institution at Albany. In that capacity he supervised the preparation and sending out of the first Arbor Day circular in the State in the spring of 1889.

The first public school in this vicinity to adopt an Arbor Day program was the school district No. 4 village now abolished, under the direction of Principal Chauncey Fuller now of Rochester. The large school ground was generously dotted with young trees, each dedicated to memory of some deceased citizen of the town. Where building operations have not crowded them out, some of these trees still stand.

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