St. Lawrence County History
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2,880 square miles of contrasting land
The State’s largest county is one of contrasts. Whether one expresses its vastness by likening it to “one half the size of Massachusetts,” or “more than twice the size of Rhode Island,” its 2,880 square miles of variety are immediately apparent. The Adirondacks, within a section of the protected Adirondack Park; numerous lakes with expansive Black Lake heading recreation variety; the rivers including the majestic St. Lawrence, offer endless kinds of sport and fun. Ridges of rock outcroppings, 2,000 ft. high peaks, alternate with rolling farmlands.
St. Lawrence County was erected from Clinton County in 1802, named in honor of the river forming its northern boundary- our country’s northern boundary as well. The river was named by Jacques Cartier when he discovered its mouth on St. Laurent’s Day in 1535. The area was the hunting and fishing ground of the Mohawk Indians, and other tribes of the Iroquois. Evidence of populations of mound builders has also been unearthed.
The first settlement by the Europeans was made in 1749 by the French at Fort La Presentation, now the county’s only city, Ogdensburg. Father Francois Picquet chose this port for a mission post attractive to Native Americans.
After the close of the Revolutionary War, the “Northern Wilderness” was offered for sale and settlement. The area immediately bordering the St. Lawrence River was surveyed into 10 townships of 100 square miles each and sold in New York City to Alexander Macomb in 1787. Land proprietors immediately bought large tracts, sending agents to sell and land to settlers., These pioneers were mostly sons of New England pioneers and from the Mohawk Valley. Soon were added hard working families from England, Iureland and Scotland.
During the War of 1812, Ogdensburg was captured briefly by the British. During the Patriot War of 1837-40, the county seethed with activity. In 1845 a great tornado cut an eat-west swath across the mountains, where growth mysteriously did not return, still marking the “Great Windfall.”
Lumbering and its allied paper goods manufacturing; quarrying of limestone, bluestone and red sandstone for national and international public buildings; metals and mining of ore, lead, zinc, and talc became early important industries. The first talc mill in the United State was opened in the Town of Fowler in 1876. Zinc and lead are still major products.
Then it might be said that dairying and power took over as leading industries. Milk, butter and cheese are provided for the entire world from our county. The various rivers- the meandering Oswegatchie, the turbulent Racquetts, Grass, and St. Regis have been harnessed for power. The billion dollar St. Lawrence Seaway and the Power Project of the 1950’s because one of the largest construction wonders of all time.
Today another drawing card has been added as the education industry has taken a lead. With three full time education colleges (one over 150 years old), a community college, a school of forestry and rangers, one full seminary, along with various specialty schools, St. Lawrence County is an education leader. It accounts for the growth of two college communities of Potsdam and Canton. The most scenic setting in the entire state was chosen at Point Airy for the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.
County residents have won fame in some of the following ways: Canton resident Silas Wright because Governor of this state and Frederic Remington, famed artist, and author portrayed the west to the world. A great collection of his works and effects is housed in the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg. Author Irving Bachellor, who gave color to local characters , originated the term “North Country” applied to this county. Bertrand Snell was a U.S. Congressman and an early promoter of the St. Lawrence Seaway. William P. Rogers, a native of Norfolk served as U.S. Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Aluminum, office supplies and trees, iron, paper, talc and cheese; marble, motors and college degrees; powder and powdered milk, shipping, red sandstone, recreation, Native American relics, historic sites and museums are all to be found in St. Lawrence County.