History of the SC Hall of Fame

In 1976, the Steuben County Board of Supervisors deemed it necessary to create the Steuben County Hall of Fame for the Bicentennial Year of our Nation. A committee of 12 people representative of the people of Steuben County was formed to review submitted nominations from the public. The committee was to present their recommendations to the Steuben County Board of Supervisors for approval.

The Hall of Fame has continued each year, with the exception of 1998 to, 2002 when there was a lack of interest from the public. In 2003, the Historian's Office became involved in this endeavor and has successfully recaptured the excitement of the public.

Nomination Process

Each fall, the Historian's Office invites nominations from the public through the many newspapers in Steuben County from all its citizens with the deadline for submission being the last day of December. The committee then goes through all the nominations, followed up by a meeting in which the nominees are voted upon. When the winners are announced, they are presented to the Steuben County Board of Supervisors for approval. After this, the nominees or their nominators are advised. The biographies and photos are accumulated and announcements are made as to when and where the annual Hall of Fame Banquet will be held. The families and friends are encouraged to attend this honorable occasion.

Nominations are received from people from all walks of life and we encourage our local schools to participate in this adventure. In 2005, the Campbell-Savona Elementary School Historical Society presented their nomination for Elmer James (Slim) Faucett. They were honored at the Steuben County Hall of Fame Luncheon for their work in researching this man born in Savona, New York.

There have been over 130 people inducted into the Steuben County Hall of Fame to date. Their photos adorn the Hallway on the Top Floor of the Steuben County Office Building at 3 E Pulteney Square, Bath, New York.