Pettus Hill Preserve

Charles ‘Chuck’ Pettus was first brought to this area to pursue his masters at Binghamton University, and was later hired at IBM as an engineer. In the early 1960s, Pettus purchased 105.9 acres in Windsor, New York, where he had a modular home installed at the end of Rockwell Road Extension.  He constructed three greenhouses nearby in which he grew most of his own food. Chuck acquired plants from all over the world. Among these selections were rare and unusual species; however, a primary motivator for Chuck was identifying plants that offered the best nutrition. He developed a trenching system that provided water for the greenhouses. Chuck also collected ground water from a spring in a 1,500 gallon cistern, as well as in a quarter-acre pond located on the property. He eventually populated the pond with fish that he shared with others. The pond has since dried up and is no longer visible. 

 

In an attempt to create the highest point in Broome County, Pettus began construction on an earthen pyramid in 1990.  Although he came up slightly short of this goal, the pyramid stands at 1,985.5’. Charles wished to be laid to rest in a titanium casket at the base of his unique earthen pyramid on the property.  No one who knew him was surprised that he chose to forgo a traditional interment at a cemetery to become “one with the land”—a true naturalist’s dream.  

 

Before he passed away, in 2013, Chuck made arrangements to have his beloved property in Windsor, New York bequeathed to the Waterman Conservation Education Center. He wished for the property to remain forever wild and be accessible to the community. Beginning in 2016, the 105 acres of green space, set up as a conservancy, became known as the “Pettus Hill Preserve.”

 

Most of the trails at the Pettus Hill Preserve have been named in Chuck Pettus' honor including the "Chuck's Roller Dome" loop trail. The yellow-marked trail is a reference to a roller rink in Endicott that Chuck ran for many years. The main trail is the Pettus Memorial Pathway stretching from the parking lot to his memorial at the base of the earthen pyramid.  Along the blue-marked trail folks can see the vernal pool which was possibly created during the pyramids construction along with a shelter with benches built by Eagle Scout Phillip Card of Windsor Boy Scout Troop 68. Another special feature of the preserve is the undisturbed timber stand.  On Sunday, May 19, 2019, the Waterman Center hosted the grand opening of the Pettus Hill Preserve. 

 

Charles was known for his humility and generosity. As his brother John noted in 2024, “While there’s a lot of self-centeredness in the world today, Chuck was truly focused on others. He was extreme in his degree of optimism. His intent was always the betterment and enjoyment of others.” 

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The Pettus family’s home was located in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Charles’s father was a steel worker; his mother was a school teacher who taught English. Tragedy struck when Charles was 12 and his father died. This loss had a major impact on his life as he  became “head of the household.” Charles took on various odd jobs, including a paper route for the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. Always helping others, he also identified and secured various jobs for his younger siblings, John and Mary. As the eldest sibling, Chuck took his responsibilities very seriously, including  when he was later called upon to save his brother’s life.

 

Growing up, the Pettus children spent a lot of time exploring the woods behind their home. They had a special spot where they crossed a creek by balancing on an old fallen tree. One summer day, Charles’s younger brother, John, was alone when he lost his footing on the log and fell into what he thought was a pool of muddy water. John’s cries for help as his feet sank into a mucky bog first drew his mother’s attention; she then screamed for Chuck’s assistance. Chuck quickly cut down a sapling, and, with a neighbor’s help, used the young tree to reach his brother (who at that moment was up to his shoulders in mud) and pull him to safety. The dramatic rescue deepened the already strong bond between the two brothers. Reflecting in 2024 on Charles, John said, “I lived in my brother’s shadow. He broke down barriers and led the way!” 

 

In addition to time spent outdoors, music was an important part of life in the Pettus family. Mrs. Pettus, a pianist with a beautiful voice, shared her love of music with her children. While Chuck’s mother taught him how to play the piano, the clarinet became his favorite instrument. Later in life, Chuck played the clarinet as a member of the IBM Band, the Windsor Community Band, the Southern Tier Concert Band, and the Maine Community Band. Chuck was also proficient in playing the oboe, saxophone, and keyboard.

 

After graduating from high school in 1951, Charles saved up enough money working as a janitor in a steel mill to pay for his education at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. He later received a Masters Degree in Physics and Civil Engineering from Binghamton University. After completing his studies, Chuck worked briefly for the Rome Air Development Corporation (RADC), with Griffiths Air Force Base, at the Strategic Air Force Base Center. The Center focused on radar development at the beginning of the Cold War. In 1955, after working for six months at RADC, Pettus became aware that IBM was seeking qualified candidates in physics and engineering. He subsequently became one of the first African-American employees at IBM, where he worked until his retirement in 1992.

 

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After retiring, Charles decided to offer something to the young people in the local community by acquiring the New Image Rollerdome in Endwell, NY.  He hoped to create a positive presence that would serve youth and the Rollerdome became a very popular hangout. The building included an arcade and a snack bar. Frequent visitors reflected on how much the place meant to them: “The Rollerdome was not really a business, it was more like a charitable gathering place--for the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, BOCES, and other organizations.” “It’s where I discovered who I was and what I wanted to be—a teacher.” Despite Chuck’s persistent efforts to keep the community recreation center open, heavy winter snows and flooding eventually contributed to the facility needing to close.

 

Although Chuck wore many hats—as a physicist, engineer, musician, naturalist, hiker, runner, and vegan—he was, above all, “one of the nicest people you could ever meet!” 

 

Chuck’s philosophy in life was, “Appreciate what you have, give generously to others, and strive to make the world a better place—for everyone!”

 

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Thank you to the following people who contributed biographical information, and to those who helped with editing: John Pettus, Doug Hawkins, Mark Saunders, Alan Jones, Eileen Ruggieri, Elizabeth Einstein,  Kristi Ripley, Rita Saunders, Jeff Rhodes, Mark Saunders, LeWayne Colwell, Kurt Eschbach, and Doug Vitarius.

      Information compiled by Scott Clarke