OCPL Local History & Genealogy

Late April of 1966 found Randy Moreland putting the finishing touches on his Soap Box Derby entry for the July championship in Akron, Ohio. Randy was the 1965 winner of the local contest held on Geddes Street hill and sponsored by WHEN-TV and the Syracuse Jaycees. With Randy was Jaycee president John Estabrook. The Syracuse derby dates back to 1934 with the Syracuse Herald and area Chevrolet dealers as the original sponsors. Race venues moved over the years from East Fayette Street to South Crouse Ave, Schiller Park, Geddes Street and Burnet Park. Despite drawing crowds of 30,000 in its heyday, the local race had a 35-year hiatus before being revived in 2005. Derby racing was a family tradition for the Morelands, as Randy’s father Jack placed well in the 1935 Syracuse race, although with a very different car.

The first commercial television broadcast in Syracuse originated from a former machine shop on Court Street on a Wednesday evening in December 1948. WHEN-TV took the airwaves at 8:32pm on Channel 8 with an interview and performance by Melville Clark, concert music artist and local music store owner. Short travelogues and a newscast followed Clark’s performance on harp, with the entire first day’s broadcast concluding at 10:30pm. WSYR-TV began a few years later with both broadcasters relocating to James Street studios and WHEN-TV moving to Channel 5. The successor to WHEN-TV today broadcasts on Channel 15 and the former Court Street studio is now home to Harbor View Wine and Liquors.