submitted by Nancy Burstein
Did you know that a famous 1930s movie star had roots in Petersburgh? Meet Richard Dix, born Ernest Carlton Brimmer, July 18,1893 in St. Paul, Minnesota. [private]
He was a sixth generation descendant of John G. Brimmer, who is known for the Indian raid that took place on his farm in 1754, during the French and Indian War. Ernest got his acting start with a local stock company, eventually had a contract with Paramount, and later was signed and became a big box-office draw for RKO Radio Pictures. In 1931 he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Cimarron, winner of the Best Picture Oscar that year. A DVD of the movie is available from the Petersburgh Public library through the Upper Hudson Library System.
An article in the Troy Record from September 23, 1949 describes a visit he made to Petersburgh on June 15, 1934 to see his own family history dramatized on the 180th anniversary of the Brimmer massacre. It was at this event that the State Education Department historic markers were erected.
Thanks to Carol Alderman for providing the news clip that led to this article. If anyone has little tidbits of Petersburgh history that might be of interest for future “Did You Know” sections, email historian@Petersburgh.org or call 518-658-3777 ext. 10.[/private]