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Contact-
Horseheads Historical Society
PO Box 194
Horseheads, New York 14845
info@HorseheadsHistorical.org

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The Horseheads Historical Society was established to preserve the history of our village. Our facilities are in two locations, the museum at the Depot on Broad Street and the Zim Home on Pine Street. The home was designed and built by Eugene Zimmerman and his father in law. “Zim” a renowned   political cartoonist in the 1800’s who married a local girl and settled in our community.

The Bandstand in Teal Park was also designed and built by “Zim” and his father-in-law. At the time Zim organized a band, known as The Zim band and played concerts in the park. This tradition continues to this day in the summer months.

Zim House was conveyed in 1980 to the Historical Society by Laura Zimmerman, Zims only child.

The home includes all of the original contents consisting of papers, sketches, correspondence, furniture and many fine mementos of Zim’s life, is on the National Register.

The Railroad Depot, now the Museum at the Depot is located on W Broad Street, was purchased by the Historical Society and restored for use as a museum, displaying artifacts of our local history. A new exhibit on display portrays the life and works of the sons and daughters of Horseheads, they are past or present residents that have in some way proven to be exemplary(This being a work in progress, we welcome suggestions and information to add to the exhibit).

This September 19th we will be holding a festival and open house commemorating the tenth year anniversary of the opening of the Museum at the Depot. We will be posting specific information in the near future.

The Trustees of the Horseheads Historical Society
Request Your Presence at an Open House in Honor of the 175th Birthday of Horseheads
Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM
The Depot
312 W. Broad Street – Horseheads, NY
Dress Casual – Featured Guests: Zim
(and perhaps other notable former Horseheads Residents)

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Pot Luck Dinners

These dinners are held on the third Wednesday of each month October through May at the American Legion on Old Ithaca Road in Horseheads. The dish to pass starts at 6:30 pm followed by a speaker.

April 17—Featured speaker will be Joan O’Dell, Horseheads Historian. Joan will give a talk on Historical Highlights in Horseheads.

May 15—Featured speaker Marcia Tinker regarding the book show has just finished on Horseheads.

President—Rich Margeson
1st Vice President—Barb Hutchinson
2nd Vice President—Doug Day
Treasurer—Charlie Ellis
Recording Secretary—Mary Cosgrove
Corresponding Secretary—Linda Burke
Historian—Joan O’Dell
Barb Clark
Cynthia Stansfield
Sid Graubard
Rick Bacmanski
Chris Lawrick
Ted Pierce
Jean Pierce
Stacey White

Our citizens had long been endeavoring to get the Railroad Company to build a new depot, worthy of the town and the large patronage our our citizens bestowed. The destruction of this building opened the way to negotiations for a new depot. Finally, through the efforts of some of our leading citizens, a sufficient sum was raised by subscription to furnish the brick for a new depot.

With this aid, the company commenced the construction of a new building in 1866 and Horseheads citizens had the pleasure of witnessing the completion of one of the best and most substantial brick depots in this section of the country.”

In the 1800's any village worth it's salt pointed with pride to its Railroad depot. As the focal point for commerce and community pride, the railroad station bespoke volumes about the village.

Horseheads citizens in the early 1860's were somewhat embarrassed by the condition of their depot if the following account written in the 1860's is to be taken as gospel.

“On the morning of January 6, 1864, the old depot building burned. This none regretted as it was good for nothing and a disgrace to the village

It was the first of September 1779.  Under orders the forces of General Sullivan, burdened down with heavy military equipment,  marched north in their 450-mile journey through a wooden wilderness from Easton, PA over to Wyoming, and on up the Susquehanna River Trail to Newtown (Elmira).  They continued north through what is now known as Horseheads to the Finger Lakes Region and west to Genesee.  They returned about three weeks later, having accomplished fully and completely the purpose for which they had set out. The larger portion of the army under the immediate command of General Sullivan returned by the way it went. 

The journey had been particularly severe and wearing upon the animals and their food supply  found insufficient.  Arriving about six miles north of Fort Reid on September 24, 1779 they were obliged to dispose of a large number of sick and disabled horses. The number of horses was so great that they were quite noticeable, and the native Iroquois collected the skulls and arranged them in a line along the trail. That spot, from that time forward was referred to as the “valley of the horse’s heads” and is still known by the name given to it by the Iroquois.

In 1835 some influential citizens published a petition in the local newspaper to rename the Horseheads post office “Dundee”, but the petition was not successful. 

Still not officially named Horseheads and the Chemung Canal having been in operation for nearly four years, the village was first incorporated as Fairport in May 1839, due to its location on the Chemung Canal.

The sixteen-mile feeder canal coming down the valley from Corning joined the Chemung Canal just a short distance northeast of Hanover Square. The important office of the Toll Collector was located here, and all boats and barges were required to stop, have their cargoes weighed and pay tolls on same. There was a lock on West Franklin St. where old and young gathered to watch the boats “locked through”.

There were many people who loved the old revolutionary-born name and urged its return. Due to their efforts, the name Horseheads was restored in 1845. Again in 1885 the name was changed to North Elmira. Only a year later in the summer of 1886 the majority of the voting citizens voted with much political fire works to bring back the most beloved Old Saxon name of our village, Horseheads, as it has remained until this day.

The Museum at the Depot was officially opened September 18, 1999. The depot now has display areas, a meeting room, gift shop, office space, kitchen and restroom facilities, and storage space. It houses Museum displays and artifacts related to the history of Horseheads. It is a true testament to its longevity and to the dedication of the volunteers who gave of their time and labor to make this museum a place of which Horseheads can be proud.

THE ZIM HOUSE
601 Pine St. Horseheads, New York 14845
appointment only

Zim House is the family home of Eugene Zimmerman or Zim as he was known professionally. Zim was a famous political caricaturist of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He was probably the “Gary Trudeau” of his time. Zim was born in Basle Switzerland in 1862 and sailed to the United States by himself in steerage when he was seven. He lived with his father in New Jersey, apprenticing in the bakery until a sign painter noticed his decorated cakes and offered him an apprenticeship in sign painting. When he was sixteen he moved to Elmira, New York with the sign painter, Empire Sign Co. and made nine dollars a week. During this time he filled a sketchbook with a variety of drawings which were brought to the attention of Joseph Keppler, the famous cartoonist and publisher of Puck magazine. In 1883 Zim was hired for Puck. In 1885 he moved to the Judge magazine where he stayed for many years, through the early 1900’s. Zim passed away in 1935 at his home on Pine Street.

His many writings included “Homespun Phoolsosphy”,, “Foolish History of Horseheads” and “Foolish History of Elmira”. For years he contributed a column of wit and wisdom under the caption of Ea Zy Pickin, a weekly column to the Elmira Sunday Telegram that played up community events and gave readers a chance to know persons in a way not possible otherwise. He illustrated “Nye & Riley’s Railway Guide”, “Ring Lardner’s Regular Fellows I have Met,” and “How to Draw Funny Pictures”.

The Zim house is open by appointment only. You can call the Horseheads Historical Society museum to schedule a tour, 607-739-3938.

Zim House is located at 601 Pine Street, Horseheads, New York 14845 and is open by appointment only.

The museum is located in the old depot at 312 West Broad Street, Horseheads, New York 14845 and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 12-3.

Example of local advertising that Zim did for the Elmira Sunday Telegram. This is an original pen and ink drawing.

Many artists that worked at Judge magazine were hired
by Disney when he started his company

This is a magazine that Zim published all of his work

Mark Twain caricature, he was another famous contemporary of Zim’s.
According to Zim, “I frequently saw Mark Twain on the streets of Elmira.
His bushy hair was still dark, with a sprinkling of gray.”

Teal Park is located on South Main Street in Horseheads, New York. This quaint picturesque park and bandstand has a rich Horseheads history.

The bandstand was established by Eugene Zimmerman, the internationally known humorist and political cartoonist of the early 1900’s known as Zim. Zim lived in Horseheads with his wife, Mabel Beard Zimmerman. He worked for Judge magazine and would travel twice a month to New York City to submit his political cartoons and attend to the business of a weekly magazine.

The painstakingly detailed bandstand built in 1910 by Zim and his father in law Alvah Beard, is a rare example of a vanishing structure that evokes memories from another era once common on a village green.

Thanks to caring Horseheads citizens and the Horseheads Historical Society, the colorful structure designed and decorated by Zim with the unique whimsical frieze of summertime musicians kept in repair and original colors, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The beautiful band and “speakers” stand in Teal Park will be dedicated to-night with very appropriate exercises, commencing at 8 0’clock. The principal address will be given by the Hon. R. P. Bush . Dr. Bush will formally dedicate the structure and turn it over to the Village Trustees as custodians for the people.” “ For many years our people have wished for a Bandstand. Last spring a movement was launched by some members and promoters of the Horseheads Progress Society which has resulted in a Bandstand. With the exception of a few dollars yet to raise, all the funds work and material have been donated. The building was completed the last week when General Manager of Elmira Water and Light and Railroad Co. sent Mr. Rittenhouse up to wire it for electric lights. The Company will light the Bandstand free of charge if the Band will give free concerts” ´One of Zim’s masterpieces has been placed on the east side of the upper structure. Two frogs seated on mushrooms are playing clarinets and between them is a grasshopper rendering music on a violin, It is estimated that the Bandstand cost more than $ 500.It is one of the nicest improvements made in our village in years and amply demonstrates what a village may easily do by spending a little energy, “The ZIM Band assisted by the Elmira Heights Band will give a splendid concert this evening. Ice cream and cake will be served and a general good time is to be enjoyed by everyone.” “It is my understanding that Zim designed the bandstand and he and his father-in-law, Mr. Beard, were two of the many volunteers who put many hours during the spring and summer of 1910 building the bandstand we enjoy."

The Trustees of the Horseheads Historical Society
Request Your Presence at an Open House in Honor of the 175th Birthday of Horseheads
Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM
The Depot
312 W. Broad Street – Horseheads, NY
Dress Casual – Featured Guests: Zim
(and perhaps other notable former Horseheads Residents)

Pot Luck Dinners

These dinners are held on the third Wednesday of each month October through May at the American Legion on Old Ithaca Road in Horseheads. The dish to pass starts at 6:30 pm followed by a speaker.

April 17—Featured speaker will be Joan O’Dell, Horseheads Historian. Joan will give a talk on Historical Highlights in Horseheads.

May 15—Featured speaker Marcia Tinker regarding the book show has just finished on Horseheads.