East Otto Historical Group Seeks Support to Preserve One of Cattaraugus County's Oldest Buildings
Community volunteers work to protect East Otto's historic 1833 building while launching restoration projects, fundraising efforts, and a patriotic Sea of Flags display for America's 250th anniversary.
EAST OTTO - Did you know that in East Otto, NY is believed to be the oldest historic building in Cattaraugus County? It was built pre-Civil War and pre-East Otto! Built in 1833-34 as a Baptist Church, it was located about a mile east of the 4-corners. In 1854, the Town of East Otto broke away from Town of Otto and became incorporated. That year, the building was moved to “Otto Corners” (now known as corner of East Flats Rd. and Reed Hill Rd.) where the center of Town was developing. A larger church (now the firehall) replaced it; the building was sold to the Town, and in 1873 moved a few yards to its present location at 8982 Reed Hill Rd.
It became the town’s first Town Hall used for meetings and voting. At times it was used as a school room and Methodist Church services when the church burned. It still has the original two wooden voting booths and platform where the minister stood and later where the Town Board sat. In 1972, after the Town Hall relocated to its present location, the East Otto Historical Group (EOHG) was given permission to use it as a museum. In 1972, and through the years, the town’s people eagerly donated or loaned, their (and your) ancestors’ family items for display. On display are items that were once made in East Otto - family scrapbooks, death notices, birth and marriage info, pictures of homes and people of East Otto, and much more. The Museum building and contents are “Our Town’s History”. It is appropriate that the historical items telling the story of East Otto are in the oldest building in Town. Be sure to visit the museum if you haven’t already. It opens at 1:00pm Sundays during July, August, September, and by appointment by calling 716-257-0654.
In 2021, the Town Board proposed the EOHG move the contents to the Town Hall. The two combined rooms that were made available at the Town Hall were considerably smaller than the existing museum building and not everything could be saved. In addition, the rooms at the Town Hall could not be locked due to grant agreement. Therefore, the items would not be secure. Instead, in 2023, the Board put a new roof on the museum building.
The EOHG is reaching out to the public to help us paint and make necessary repairs. The front of the building has dropped a half inch to 1” and water has run off the front cement platform onto the front crossbeam. Contractors’ recommendations include removing the concrete platform, replacing the front beam, and reinforcing the front pilings it sits on. The concrete platform will be replaced with a wooden (or more durable material) platform and entrance ramp. Also, the building needs painted and one of the windows needs repaired. The repairs will not change the historic building’s character.
The EOHG is in the process of applying for nonprofit corporation and 501C-3 status. Until we complete that process, we have been given permission to fall under the umbrella of Historic Cattaraugus Corporation (HCC), allowing for tax exempt donations, grant applications for funding, educational programs, and events.
After the fire of 1962 that wiped out the business section of town, there is more reason to preserve what little we have in East Otto. We hope that you will consider donating to help preserve this historic building. Your check should be made payable to HCC for EOHG (Historic Cattaraugus Corp for East Otto Historic Group). Mail your check to our Treasurer, Elizabeth O’Neil, 7495 East Flats Rd., East Otto, NY 14729. If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your check.
We have been planning fundraising events and special programs. We hope that you will support these efforts to preserve yours and our historic building. For updated information and dates, follow East Otto Historical Group on Facebook. We will also post on the East Otto Post Office bulletin board, church and store in town.
If you are willing to help donate or work on a fundraising dinner, please call Steve Forster at 716-257-9134. To help scrape or paint, call Doug Kirchner at 716-481-1168. If you are willing to help with other projects, call Michelle Gogel, President, at 716-257-0654 or Julie Shamrock, Community Ambassador, at 716-954-3258.
As we look ahead and work together, the EOHG wants to begin by saying thank you for your willingness to donate, volunteer, and attend programs. We ask in doing so, to keep foremost in mind our efforts to preserve our history. Whether you live in East Otto now, used to, or came to visit your relatives, or simply live in Cattaraugus County, we hope you will help by saving history. Someone recently said, “People don’t care today about History the way our parents and grandparents did. For that reason, it’s more and more important to keep it.” The building and contents are Our Town’s History.
SEA OF FLAGS: In honor of the Unites States of America’s 250th Anniversary, let us celebrate our patriotism to our Country and show support for our veterans, soldiers, and first responders who give of themselves to keep our Nation free and safe by filling the front lawn at the East Otto Town Hall with a Sea of Flags. We invite friends of other towns to participate. Please contact Michelle Gogel at 716-257-0654 or michellegogel@gmail.com, or Julie Shamrock at 716-954-3258 with any questions or for an application to participate. Complete ONE application per name and send $10.00 with each application. Deadline for receipt of application is June 15, 2026. Flags will be posted July 3-11, 2026 and available for pickup at the East Otto Historical Museum on Sunday, July 12.