1925 Northern New York Radio History

Orrie Gould had a radio and would travel. “Gordon Russell and George Wilson were at J. Hebert Bly’s Sunday evening and enjoyed a radio entertainment furnished by Orrie Gould of Ticonderoga. The main feature was a church service from Albany, after which several stations were tuned in for musical selections,” the Crown Point Merchant’s Row correspondent reported in the Ticonderoga Sentinel on April 11, 1925.

“A few of our members were privileged to listen to a radio entertainment at the home of John Andre Saturday yesterday evening,” the Crown Point correspondent reported April 23rd. Orrie Gould of Ticonderoga brought the radio.

“Orrie Gould of Ticonderoga had his radio at the home of his uncle, George Wilson, Saturday evening and a few neighbors were invited to listen in,” the Crown Point correspondent reported Nov. 12. “It would be impossible to enumerate the different stations received as they were so numerous. While the night was anything but appropriate for radio reception, some very good selections were heard.”

In other 1925 radio news collected from Northern New York historic newspapers you’ll find a new WGY transmitter in Lake George, innovation in radio receiving dolls; radios at Sing Sing prison; broadcasts of a speed boat race (via airplane), opera, an Adirondack lecture, and lots, lots more:

• “Ed Reese, our local radio expert, claims that on four different nights last week he picked up station M-L-M broadcasting from Leaver, Colo.,” The North Creek Enterprise
  reported on July 2. “Ed’s friends about camp are beginning to think that he has some kind of bug buzzing around as they are unable to find station M-L-M listed in any of the radio magazines. Poor Ed has the sympathies of all who know him.”
• The newly-formed Lake George Board of Trade employed new technology to promote tourism a century ago, when commercial radio was still in its infancy. “The General Electric Company of Schenectady have arrangements under way with the telephone company which will allow their broadcasting station WGY from the village this summer,” The Glens Falls Times reported on April 9. Programs would be broadcast from the Fort William Henry Hotel.
• WGY radio station connected Albany State Teachers College alumni across the state for a virtual launch of a campaign to raise funds for a new dormitory. The Schenectady radio station was to broadcast a speech which college President Arthur R. Brubaker delivered at an alumni dinner at the Ten Eyck Hotel in Albany, The Glens Falls Times reported on May 15. “Dinners are being held this evening in all the principal cities of the state followed followed by a radio session.” At Glens Falls, an alumni dinner was held at The Gift and Tea Shop in the Glens Falls Insurance Co. building.
• WGY established a new partnership with WGBS of New York City to broadcast opera performances, The Post-Star of Glens Falls reported on May 4. The first joint broadcast would be at 8 pm, May 5 of the opera Lucia di Lammereoux (Bride of Lammermoor). The opera’s Italian-language libretto is loosely based on a Sir Walter Scott 1819 historical novel set in Scotland at the time of the 1707 Act of Union.
• WGY radio planned on broadcasting the speed boat race between Baby Gar IV and Baby Gar V from Albany to New York City on May 25, The Glens Falls Times reported on May 22. Reporters following the race route in a twin-engine plane would transmit reports in real time to the station to broadcast.
• “L. F. Perry, for many years station agent at Ticonderoga, now assistant to the general manager of traffic of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, well known as a lecturer throughout New York State, will speak next Monday night on station WGY of Schenectady between 7:30 and 8:45 o’clock. His topic will be, ‘Our Summer Vacation,’” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on May 14. “He will take advantage of the occasion to tell his listeners the many good things the Adirondacks have to offer to tourists, pointing out the scenic attractions and historic interests.”
• “Thomas H. Cowan, studio manager for WJZ in New York, is one of the pioneer radio announcers. He started announcing in October 1921, when WJZ started broadcasting in Newark, N.J. He is especially noted for his ability to introduce and describe operatic selections for fans,” The Glens Falls Times reported on May 23.
• “On the 100th anniversary of the occupation of the first building at Sing Sing prison, it became known today for the first time that 50 prisoners who are prosperous enough to buy radio sets have installed outfits in their cells,” the Associated Press reported in The Post-Star on May 29.
• “An inventor has enclosed a radio receiving set in a large doll, from the mouth of which its sound seems to come,” The Glens Falls Times reported on May 29.
• “Radio fans listening to WOR, Newark, on Monday evenings should wear their bathing suits. They’ll get free lessons on swimming on that evening. The lessons will be broadcast by Frank E. Dalton, swimming authority,” The Glens Falls Times reported on June 5.
• “The Story Lady,” star of a children’s radio program on WEAF of New York City, was vacationing at Lake George and would present a weekly live, in person, story hour at the Caldwell Library each Friday in August, The Lake George Mirror reported on Aug. 8. Each session would feature one Shakespearian story and one humorous story. “A cordial invitation is extended to the children.”
• “Friends of Edward J. McHugh, formerly with The Post-Star, will have an opportunity of hearing him sing over the air Wednesday night at 9:15 from station WBZ Springfield a group of four songs,” The Post-Star reported on June 10.
• “Norman Gibbs has a new radio,” the Hartford correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on May 1.

Read more about New York State Radio History.