An old chair was donated to the train station several years ago with this picture of a man in a chair and a written note. “Jake Knight is sitting at his shop and home at the entrance to Callicoon Bridge across the Delaware River. He repaired and made harnesses and other horse paraphernalia.”

Jacob Knight was born in 1861 and died at 63 years old on February 8, 1924. William P. Tyler sold his harness business to Jake in 1898. Jake owned shares in the Callicoon Bridge Co. and was a director for many years. He was also a director of the Callicoon Water Co. and was a volunteer fireman.

The Sullivan County Record January 12, 1899 issue with headline, “Bridge at Callicoon Depot Completed” reported that it took seven months to build the bridge. A tollhouse was included with Jacob Knight as toll taker. He was unsuccessful in his run for collector and game constable in 1892 on the Republican ticket, but he was interested in being a part of the community. His chair is in the train station ticket-master’s room, a nice reminder of a businessman from Callicoon.

The Cochecton Preservation Society meets the first Tuesday of the month March through October, at 7 p.m. at the Erie Depot, 8537 Rte. 97, Cochecton. Meetings are free with refreshments. Tours are by appointment. Visit Co chectonpreservationsociety.com, email cps12726@gmail.com, or call 845/932-8104.