Recently I explored near the current Castleton Fire Company Bld on Green Avenue in Castleton N.Y. 12033. Taking my trusty linoleum knife I probed in the back of the property. I came up with a small piece of pre= 1950's brick. I knew from childhood that I was in the general location of the old Cheney Piano ActionFactory. There are more than one history on line talking about the piano days of Castleton. So what I am going to quickly discuss is the last remnant of the piano works. The great Chimney. Made of brick and probably 3 stories in height it was a last reminder of when my hometown was the largest makers of piano movements in the world. We had a sign near our old train station so stating. The chimney was the tallest standing structure in Castleton or it's adjoining Township of Schodack N.Y. It had stood for many years in the then vacant lot. As kids we often played near it. Some citizens of the village thought it may very well be unsafe because there was no structural support around it. An citizens committee was formed with the town board's approval to study whether it could be taken town. Donald Harris a well established member of the Masonic community was it's chair.
Multiple meetings held etc , and a proposal was set before the board with cost , wrecking companies etc. The board after some discussion passed the resolution in the circa late 50's to do the project. Within 2 months the wrecking company arrived and work began. What I remember was the fact they had to bring in a large crane and wrecking ball. What was thought to be an afternoons work turned into a two day event. The town Supervisor Lewis Hudson was amazed to witness what it took to demolish that chimney. Of course , there was a cost overrun. Finally , after the brick was all carted away and the dust settled a woman's group from the Methodist Church planted a rose bush there which lasted about 2 yrs.
Many people were somewhat saddened when the chimney came down , a lost piece of their own history was gone , for some a place of play was gone. Such . I guess was and is progress. Oh and by the way in case you might wonder what a piano action is.....it appears to be the mallet type device that strikes the string on the piano.
Multiple meetings held etc , and a proposal was set before the board with cost , wrecking companies etc. The board after some discussion passed the resolution in the circa late 50's to do the project. Within 2 months the wrecking company arrived and work began. What I remember was the fact they had to bring in a large crane and wrecking ball. What was thought to be an afternoons work turned into a two day event. The town Supervisor Lewis Hudson was amazed to witness what it took to demolish that chimney. Of course , there was a cost overrun. Finally , after the brick was all carted away and the dust settled a woman's group from the Methodist Church planted a rose bush there which lasted about 2 yrs.
Many people were somewhat saddened when the chimney came down , a lost piece of their own history was gone , for some a place of play was gone. Such . I guess was and is progress. Oh and by the way in case you might wonder what a piano action is.....it appears to be the mallet type device that strikes the string on the piano.
