Almond - New York Historical Society

11/06/2026

Getting a job at the Post Office in Almond often meant you worked there for a long time. Here is a photo of 3 workers who were invited to come to the Post Office to reminisce about their work days. It came from The Evening Tribune of January 24, 1958. The caption reads:

Almond Post Office Veterans - At the invitation of Almond Postmaster Richard E. Braach, these three veterans of almost 100 year of total service at the Almond Post Office, met at the office yesterday and talked about bygone days. Left to right, Raymond Hanks, former rural mail carrier who retired in 1956 after completing 32 years of service; Mrs. Henry Halsey, the former Mabel Whitikar, who was clerk in the post office from about 1890 to 1907; and Miss Gertrude Bayless, clerk who retired in 1955 after 37 years of service.

Just to get some perspective, this would have been about 50 years after Mabel Whitikar Halsey stopped working at the Post Office. Also the total years was close to 86. We'd love to hear any memories or stories you may have on these people.

We're always happy to help you with questions you may have about your family members who lived in Almond. We expect to be closed Friday, November 27 but someone is always here any other Friday, from 2 to 4.

10/23/2026

The position of postmaster was dependent on the politics of the time since the party in power appointed postmasters. For the first 100 years that Almond had a post office there were 28 different postmasters in 19 different locations. The new location noted last week was the 20th site and is the one still in use today.

The Almond post office was first referred to as the Alfred post office because it was the main village in the township of Alfred which was along the 27 mile east border of Allegany County. This is what keeps things interesting for historians. Almond and Alfred could refer to the same location.

There were 2 other locations in the Almond area. Center Almond was on Karr Valley Road with Lazarus Rathbun as the postmaster. He served from Feb 16, 1827 until Nov 14, 1864. Those 38 years his home was the location of the post office3.

The North Almond site was in Bishopville. It opened April 3, 1826 with Roswell W. Knight as postmaster then William H. Hawley took over March 13, 1832 who was followed by Thornton F. Curry who continued until it was closed Jan 13, 1879.

We are so happy to have the attached lists of postmasters and prices. Let us know what you think. Do you know any of these men or have more information to share about them? That would be great.

Remember we are here to answer questions on Fridays from 2 to 4.

10/16/2026

December 2, 1967 Almond Post Office Moves to New Home

In 1889 Isaac Helmer was appointed the 21st post master in Almond. At that time the post office was moved from Dixon's Drug Store to the Richardson Boot & Shoe Factory. For 78 years it was on the first floor in the north corner of that building. That is the building we now refer to as Coslos.

The 1967 move was into a building located in the brick block formerly owned by Wayne Kellogg then purchased by Richard Braack. It was built in 1901 by George Young as a store. For its new use as a post office it went under extensive renovation under the direction of Robert Lewis, an Alfred Station contractor.

An advantage of the new location was that mail trucks were able to load and unload mail at the rear of the building eliminating the traffic congestion that resulted from the prior location.

09/23/2026

AHS entry in Almond Community Day on September 12 featured Dan Hegarty’s truck decorated with red, white & blue bunting, Flags, a tribute to our veterans, riding in convertibles, & 5 fabulous classic cars.
In the park, our red pop up tent displayed an exhibit of AHS artifacts and newsletters plus military uniforms worn by Almond veterans from our collection.
We were delighted our parade entry won first place of $100. We thank the brass trio dressed as “founding fathers”for playing patriotic music for the parade. Our 9 walkers carried our “AHS Preserving History” sign and 7 patriotic signs created by Carl Leathersich. It was a lovely day with no rain for the first time in many years!! Thank God!

09/12/2026

Don't miss out on our meeting this Sunday, Sept 13, 2026.

“Getting Around With Glenn Curtiss” will be the topic of the Almond Historical Society’s fall meeting on Sunday afternoon, September 13, at the 1830s Hagadorn House, located at 7881 Main Street (corner of Main and Karrdale Avenue) in Almond.

The event’s special guest speaker will be Kirk House, Director of the Steuben County Historical Society. Hammondsport, New York, was the home of Glenn Curtiss, who made the first public pre-announced flight in America. Curtiss built an impressive list of accomplishments and inventions throughout his lifetime, including the famous JN-4 "Jenny" aircraft in which many World War I pilots learned to fly. House, who oversees the Steuben County Historical Society where the Curtiss files and treasures are preserved, will bring Curtiss’ fascinating story to life.

The Hagadorn House will be open for tours from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., House will present in the back meeting room. Following the talk, refreshments will be served in the fireplace room, which features a massive historical cooking fireplace discovered behind the wall by the late Mrs. Ken Hagadorn in the 1940s.

The public is welcome to attend.

09/11/2026

We hope everyone is looking forward to coming to Almond Community Day tomorrow in Almond. The parade starts at 10 and the Almond Historical Society is planning to have vintage cars and walkers. Hope to see you there!

Though most of the past community days were held at the beginning of September, in 1979 it was on August 16. We have 3 articles about it but not explanation of why. Also no photos.

Plans were for games, rides, a ball game, bands, a helicopter and fireworks. Groups who were involved included the Almond Historical Society, 20th Century Club, St. Brendan's, the Grange, and the Almond Union of Churches. An article written after the event said the Moose band played in the park. The 4 mile run was won by Derek Frechette and antique car awards were given to Les Armstrong, Walter Benedict and Charles Wilkins.

Does anyone remember going then? We'll have a table set up tomorrow in the park so please stop by and see us. We'd love to see you.

Send a message to learn more

08/28/2026

The building known as Muhleisen's has a long history. According to the Alfred Sun of 1988, the building was 100 years old then having been first used as a tannery and grist mill.

Many people in the area have known the building under the ownership of various people as a restaurant. The farthest back in our files refers to the Kant-U-Kume-Inn, sometimes called Ma's, and was owned by Bernice Quay. She sold the business to Bob Costello who renamed it Coslos. This is not the Coslos he later owned across the street in the old Richardson building.

In 1969 Bob sold the business to Jack and Patty Harvey who renamed it Harvey's Restaurant. Records tell us that at one time they had 11 full time and part time employees. They were famous for the fireplace, as a gathering place for snowmobilers, and where the Almond Lions met. But even more than that, they brought in well-known local bands who played on the weekends. Patty Harvey Curran gave us the attached menu from their time in the business.

On March 15, 1977 Jack and Patty sold the business to Jack Muhleisen who named it The Brother's Four to honor his 3 brothers. In 1985, after an extensive remodel. it was reopened as Muhleisen's Restaurant and Lounge. The business closed on March 28, 2025 and is up for sale.

What memories do you have of eating in Almond? We look forward to comments and don't forget we are always here to answer your questions about this community. We're open Fridays from 2 to 4.

08/21/2026

The Steuben County Historical Society posted a photo showing a play put on by the Alfred-Almond Central School. No cast members were identified nor was there a date. We found it in the 1950 Alcen with more information.

We identified Pat Zirkelbach as the woman on the far right sitting down. Possibly Dale Lorow is the tall person dressed as a woman in the center. If anyone else can tell us who other cast members in the photo are we would really appreciate that.

What fun memories we are able to share and learn more about with this post. We're digging in our files and sharing what we have but look forward to answering your questions on Fridays between 2 and 4 pm.

08/07/2026

School is still on our minds and in our files for Almond High School we have an amazing picture of the school. You should recognize the north end. It is now Mullen Carpets. But who knew about the addition that is now gone?

In The Evening Tribune of July 2, 1940 was printed an address given by Mrs. E. V. Greene who graduated in 1900. She spoke at the alumni banquet of 1940 and gave an overview of the school in Almond. It went from being a small wooden structure to eventually the brick building with an even larger addition.

In 1902 the Almond Union School became the Almond High School. In 1928 the brick addition was put up and the commencement exercises that year were in the new auditorium.

The current structure was described as "the last word in modern school buildings." And our alumni have benefited from that building.

There are so many treasures like this in our archives. We invite you to come see what we have any Friday, between 2 and 4, or make an appointment. We'd love to see you!