Canastota in Madison County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
“Old Phoebe”
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 5, 2024
1. “Old Phoebe” Marker
Erected 2023 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 148.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Women. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 43° 4.646′ N, 75° 45.113′ W. Marker is in Canastota, New York, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of South Peterboro Street (New York State Route 13) and Railroad Street, on the right when traveling south on South Peterboro Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 S Peterboro St, Canastota NY 13032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Central New York, and in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Great Auto Race (a few steps from this marker); American Legion Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lenox Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Delano Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Party (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rapasadi Building
this page online
Regarding “Old Phoebe”. Excerpts from remarks by Village Historian David Sadler at the marker dedication:
Phoebe Bradley, or “Old Phoebe”, was an eccentric, colorful, and legendary character who wandered the roads of northern Madison County during the late 19th century, and made her home in the Goose Pasture just east of Canastota. She occasionally wandered as far west as Manlius in Onondaga County. …
In 1899 Fred Plumb, a Canastota photographer, took a photograph of her in front of the Canastota Village Hall. Edward G. Barlow, Canastota artist, turned the picture into an oil painting, which now is a prized possession of an art collector in San Francisco, California. A copy hung in the Canastota mayor’s office and is now in the Canastota Canal Museum.
Old Phoebe died in 1905 at the age of 89 in the Madison County House in Eaton. She is buried in an unmarked grave at the cemetery on the former Madison County House grounds.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 5, 2024
2. “Old Phoebe” Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
