Solvay Process - #39 2023

OUT OF OUR PAST

by Barbara Dix

Solvay Process

I can remember that when we were approaching Syracuse, along Onondaga Lake Parkway, my brothers and I would hold our noses.  The odor from Solvay,across the lake, was really bad.  If we approached Syracuse on the other side of the lake, we could see nothing but a wall of what we later learned was sludge from Solvay Process.

When I was older, I couldn’t understand how they could just keep piling it higher and higher.  Suddenly, on the morning of November 25, 1943 it all came tumbling down on Lakeland , Solvay and the New York State Fair which during the war was a U. S. Army installation. 

Many families’ houses were stranded and visitors staying at the State Fair Hotel had to be rescued.  The material that made up this lava-like mess was so caustic that it killed all the vegetation it came in contact with.

The deluge of sludge was estimated to contain 40,000 gallons that spread over an estimated 85 acres of the fairgrounds containing the U. S. Army Depot and all the surrounding areas causing damage in the millions.

It was a year before the army could say it was cleaned up. Two years later there was a discussion started that ultimately included Gov. Dewey, the Forsythe Commission, the Department of Public Works, and lots of public input.  While many thought the fair should move (one group suggested adjacent to the former Syracuse Army Air Base later known as Hancock Airport) Gov. Dewey rejected all the various recommendations and it was decided to have the fair stay in place.

Solvay eventually moved its beds east of the lake and away from neighborhoods.  The lake, which had been impacted even before this dike breach, had been cleaned and is now  safe.  I remember from my earliest memories that we might stop and walk along the lake in the park, but no matter how much I wanted to wade in the water, my mother would have none of that.

Now we enjoy no odors, no wastebeds on the lakeshore, a clean lake and beautiful fairgrounds.

SHS Thanks 

The Schroeppel Historical Society would like to thank all of you the baked, brought goods for the Silent Auction, had a booth or shopped and bid at our annual Holiday Show and sale.

We are planning our programs for next year.  If you have an interesting topic that you would like to present or have presented, give us a call.  We are always looking for presenters.

Broken Bone

Since last week I have been walking with a list to the right and have a very swollen right foot and leg. There is no reason for this.  Nothing hurts, but I did have a night last Thursday when I had several minutes of extreme pain, but nothing residual.

Fortunately, I had an early week appointment with my podiatrist.  He couldn’t say exactly what was wrong so he sent me for an x-ray.  The next day he called to tell me I have a fractured bone in my ankle and made an appointment with an ankle/leg doctor.  I have just come from there.  They told me I am an anomaly because I have no pain and I can move everything in all directions.  They said I can walk, I should wear a compression stocking and I also can sing in the Cantata Saturday and Sunday.  I am also scheduled for an MRI so they can better see the situation. 

Cantata

The Cantata at Pennellville will be Saturday, the 2nd at 3 pm and Sunday the 3rd at 5pm.  There is no charge.  We have been singing together for over 40 years.  The conductor is Terry Sivers, a local boy who returned home to Phoenix in his retirement after teaching music for I don’t know how many years.