Warren County History
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Favorite hunting and fishing ground
Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, one of the oldest geographic formations on earth, and dotted by clear mountain lakes and ponds, Warren County looks back on a history which began with primitive man roaming the uncivilized lands of present-day Queensbury where archeological and historical surveys continue to uncover artifacts of the era.
As centuries passed and man developed, the territory became favorite hunting and fishing ground for members of the Iroquois Nation – most notably the Mohawks. The 17th century brought with it hostile warfare between the Iroquois and their enemies to the north – the Algonquins and Hurons. It was during this period of unrest that Father Isaac Jogues, a French Jesuit Priest, while on a mission of peace to the Iroquois in 1646, would become the first European man to lay eyes on the Queen of American Lakes – the lake we now call Lake George.
Despite the efforts of the missionaries, the fighting between the French and Indian forces by the mid-1700’s had intensified to the point where English colonials under Major General William Johnson, recognizing the importance of an area which boasted both a natural and direct route into Canada, decided to become involved.
Beginning with the opening rounds of fire at the battle of Lake George on September 8, 1755, and ending finally, five days later in September of 1760 with the surrender of Montreal and ultimately, the French dominance in North America, the area of present-day Warren County was a scene of massive fortifications, colorful troops, murder, torture and burning!
One of the best known of early settlements was the town of Caldwell established in 1810, although founded by James Caldwell of Albany in 1787 upon purchasing the patent from Udney Hay of Poughkeepsie. A center for milling, county government, a playground for wealthy and now a vacation resort for American and Canadian tourists, the town’s name was changed to Lake George in 1962.
The year 1813 brought with it many new experiences. Not only was a brand new county formed on March 12, named in honor of the Revolutionary War hero Joseph Warren, but the town of Thurman was to undergo still another division. With the establishment of Warrensburg that year, the remaining portion of Thurman became known as the Town of Athol. The Town of Warrensburg, taking advantage of its superb location between two rivers, became a highly developed center of industry.
The establishment of the Town of Horicon from parts of Hague and Bolton in 1838, and of Stony Creek from Athol in 1853 completed the formation of municipal boundaries in Warren County.
Throughout the 1800’s all Warren County towns experienced exciting growth and economic success. Lumbering, graphite and garnet mining, leather, lime, marble works all contributed to a real “boom” in the economy. Improved transportation systems, particularly rural areas closer to the main financial center of the county, the Village of Glens Falls which had been incorporated in 1839. Population began to swell as immigrants swarmed into a county which could offer occupational, educational, and cultural opportunities for all. By the latter part of the century, the successful lake resort business at picturesque Warren County lakes began to take its place as one of the county’s leading sources of income while the lumbering industry would, because of the depletion of the natural hardwoods, change direction, going toward the manufacture of paper products derived from the manufacture of paper products derived from the more accessible softwoods. Warren County was ready to adapt itself to the inevitable changes that the 20th century and its new technology would bring.
Today, Warren County continues to stride forward. While state and steam engine no longer bring visitors to the North Country, the river and lake towns continue to prosper in their environment. Automobiles filled with families and buses offering special package tours travel the county roads the year ‘round enjoying the natural beauty and attractions that the county has to offer.