Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/category/history/page/15/)
In the Winter of 1891, a committee worked on plans for the dedication of the new library, which was scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 1891. Due to the overwhelming interest in the event, it was held at the First Congregational Church.
Arthur E. Allen of West Hartford bought the North Granby cider mill property in 1919. One hundred years later the roof and upper floor of the old mill collapsed and the south wall of the building fell down.
The second Charter revision gave reporting responsibilities for the Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Chief of Police to the newly appointed Chief Administrative Officer (Town Manager) David Russell. The changes were approved in a November referendum as was a compulsory referendum to pass the town budget.
What happened to Granby during the 1970s—that globally transformative decade now a half-century past? Its population exploded, it changed physically, it lost some farms, and it struggled with the forces of national and global influence.
A mysterious gravestone was found face down in a corner of the Cooley Cemetery on East Street in spring 2018. It was discovered by Cheryl and Chris Klemmer when they stopped to take a picture of the new cemetery sign.
The Cossitt Library was under construction by Spring of 1890. The letters and papers pertaining to the architect’s specifications are still preserved in the library safe.
Many attempts were made to revitalize the Salmon Brook Ecclesiastical Society. In April 1831, it was voted to build a new church, in the geographical center of Granby. And of course, a new controversy raged over the proposed location.
In 1887, Frederick H. Cossitt died in New York City. The passing of one who had lived his childhood in Granby and then moved on was not much of an event of note in a town that had seen many of its children leave for greener pastures in the 1820s and 1830s.
As the Friends of the Cossitt continue the process of restoring the venerable old building, an introduction to the generous benefactor after whom the building is named seems appropriate.
In the beginning, the church was in Simsbury, and the people of Salmon Brook had to travel this distance on foot or horseback. The roads were mere tracks through the wilderness; mud, dust or snow, according to the season.