BUSTI - George A. Simpson's contributions to the town of Busti will now be remembered thanks to the placement of a memorial near the intersection of Vukote Road and Lakeside Drive.
Simpson developed the land, the canal and water system in the area by Vukote Road, near Loomis Park. Simpson's family donated land to the town of Busti, which now can be used by residents to access Chautauqua Lake. To honor Simpson's gift, town officials dedicated the area in the name of Simpson with a memorial plaque.
Recently, Busti officials and Simpson's relatives, some coming from as far away as Ohio, attended a dedication ceremony.
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Relatives of the late George A. Simpson gather around a monument honoring Simpson for donating land to the town of Busti. Simpson improved the area in the 1920s before donating it to the town. The land, which is near Vukote Road and Lakeside Drive, can be used by town residents to access Chautauqua Lake.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''This cement walkway has been put in place by the town of Busti to honor George and his family so that all that walk down here to the lake will experience the little part of heaven that meant so much to George,'' Jesse Robbins, Busti town supervisor, said during the ceremony.
Ilura Simpson Fields, Simpson's granddaughter, said she has fond memories of spending time with her family by Chautauqua Lake.
''They loved the lake. They wanted everyone to enjoy the lake,'' she said. ''My Aunt Mickey loved swimming and canoeing here.''
According to information on the town's website, an article dated Dec. 7, 1926, discussed the Vukote Development.
''Mr. George Simpson is developing at Vukote on what is known as addition C, a parcel of 12 acres, which has a frontage of 600 feet on the lake and 900 feet on the state road. On this tract he has over 2,000 feet of canal frontage that connects with the canal system, which has made this section so attractive,'' the article states. ''Mr. Simpson has gone to great expense to improve and beautify this land. It is covered with trees between the canal and the lake while the section between the canal and the state road is more open. It is all level and has a fine subsoil.''
The report states that Simpson made an attractive lake front area with a sandy beach. He also developed a bungalow colony, with a beautiful lake front and canal frontage winding through the land.
The article states Simpson had gone about the development in a high-class manner and has spared no expense in making improvements to make the property salable and to be a benefit to everybody in the area.