1808 – 1847

The Narcissa Prentiss House

Narcissa Prentiss was born in Prattsburgh on March 14, 1808.  Her father, Stephen Prentiss, came to Prattsburgh in 1805.  Although the house he built for his family is quite small, Stephen and his wife Clarissa raised 9 children there.  Narcissa attended Franklin Academy and became a schoolteacher – teaching in Prattsburgh and Bath, and she was active in church affairs and dreamed of becoming a missionary.  She married Dr. Marcus Whitman in 1836 and together they journeyed 3,000 miles through country largely unknown to white men, ending their journey in the Oregon country claimed jointly by the United States and Great Britain.  She was one of the first 2 white women to cross the Rockies.  The Whitmans established a mission among the Cayuse Indians.  With Marcus as doctor and Narcissa as school teacher, they tended the physical and spiritual needs of Indians and weary travelers.  On November 29, 1847, the Indians massacred everyone at the mission.

Thanks to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Walla Walla, Washington and the Narcissa Prentiss House here, the Whitmans’ legacy is alive.

Narcissa was a well-known woman in the 19^th century.  In 1998, she was recognized by the New York Governor’s Commission honoring the achievements of women and she has been included in numerous publications including “Her Story” A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America.”

Narcissa Prentiss Whitman

In 1979, the Narcissa Prentiss House was incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.  A visit will acquaint you with one of America’s most fascinating – and tragic – couples.  In addition to being Narcissa’s birthplace, the house contains artifacts, quilts, antique clothing, and a room dedicated to the Pratt family, founders of Prattsburgh.

The house is open from 1-4 pm on weekends in July and August and by appointment.  Groups and individuals interested in setting up a tour or a tea at the home should contact Charlene Wilson at (607) 522-3542 or Lynn Dinehart at (607) 522-4737.  Tours and teas are free.  Donations toward the preservation of the home are appreciated.

In 1948-1949 the telephones were changed from a party line to dial.

In 1954 a new bank was built and relocated to the corner of Chapel and Naples Street. Sandra MacDougal is the manager today.

In 1955 an auction of the contents of the Park Hotel were sold and the building was torn down along with Park Arnold’s gas station next door.

In 1959 the Kanona and Prattsburgh railroad made its last run after 70 years.

In 1960 the Telephone Company changed its name to Empire Telephone Company.

On June 10th, 1961 an auction was held to sell the railroad station. The decline of the railroad usage was blamed on large trucks taking over freight hauling.

In 1972, the village of Prattsburgh was dissolved.

The Pattsburgh Baptist school was established in 1978, under the direction of Rev. Wayne Keesley.

In 1991 Elizabeth Young built a new split-level home at 73 North Main Street.

In 1993 the milk plant was closed and it still stands closed today.

In 1994 two more new homes were built in town. Shirley and Barbara Shaver built a house at 15 Porter Street. George and Lenora Applebee built a house at 10815 Fairgrounds Road.

In 1994, Charles Meosch had the house at 57 S. Main St. torn down.

In 1999 the Methodist Church held a celebration for there 180th anniversary. All the living previous ministers were invited. A dish to pass meal was held and all previous ministers spoke at the celebration.

In 2002, Brenda Daggett had the house on 25-27 Mechanic Street torn down.

In Sept. 2005, Prattsburgh Protectives built a new firehouse on Allis St.

In 2006, the Prattsburgh Protectives did a controlled burn at 18 Naples Rd. This property was purchased by the school for additional
parking space abd storage facilities.
In 2006 the town offices and Historical Society moved into the new building at 19 North Main Street.

In 2006 the Empire Telephone Cord. renovated the former Peck’s Hardware location into office space.

In 2007 Greg and Sandy Squires had the house at 17 Mechanic Street torn down.

In 2007 the town had the house at 27 Chapel Street torn down. In the same year Tom Harness tore
down the house at 5 Naples Hill St.

In 2008 the old town hall on Chapel Street was sold to the Prattsburgh Marketplace to be torn down and the property was made into an addition to the parking lot.

As 2009 dawned, the town was still planning wind farms. As the year went on, so did the discussions, and now at the end of the year we are still at an impasse.

Dec. 2009 A large fire in a storage facility on county Route 74, destroyed a variety of over 70 boats, from motorboats to pontoon boats.The cause is under investigation.

The Prattsburgh Marketplace is having an addition built, which will house their office and it will have an electric door!
The new electric doors were installed in January 2010.