WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES FILE PHOTO
The House That Wouldn’t Be
October 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
How ‘Vacationland’ Got Its Name
March 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
It’s a Pirate’s Life For Me!
October 4, 2017 by Leave a Comment
AMANDA MORRISON / NNY LIVING
Alex Mosher throws “pirate treasure” into the crowd during the pirate invasion for Bill Johnston’s Pirate Days in Alexandria Bay.
Navigating The Rumor and Fable of Thousand Islands Dressing
April 18, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Sackets Harbor played pivotal roles in fighting War of 1812
December 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment
STEPHEN SWOFFORD / WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES
British troops advance on the American troops during a reenactment of the war of 1812 Saturday afternoon in Sackets Harbor.
Apparently, I am not alone in this as I’ve read that the majority of the British populace doesn’t much remember the War of 1812 either. The British history books tend to only mention it briefly, and even then in the context of the Napoleanic Wars instead of a war of its own right.
Waxing nostalgic for a past we love
September 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Longtime north country residents herald days gone by as region continues to grow.
For many, nostalgia is more than just reminiscing about the past, it’s an emotion or feeling they have when thinking about certain memories — whether it’s a particular place, experience or time.
Summer 2015: History
June 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Region takes flight
Capt. Frank Burnside, far right, was the first to successfully pilot an airplane in Northern New York. His flights occurred at the Jefferson County Fair in September 1913. A crowd of more than 3,000 witnessed as Capt. Burnside and his Thomas airplane took off from the exhibition field, soared to a cruising altitude of 2,000 feet, and reached an astounding 50 mph, before safely landing on the makeshift airstrip. Photo courtesy earlyaviators.com.
Capt. Frank Burnside first to pilot north country skies
By Lenka P. Walldroff
It may surprise some visitors to learn that the north country boasts a number of international airports. Here in Watertown, the “International” in “Watertown International Airport” has raised a few eyebrows, but small as it may be, our humble airport gets the job done, ferrying passengers to and from Northern New York to destinations around the world. Eyebrows and square footage aside, north country airports are but a whisper in the region’s long-standing relationship with aviation. [Read more…]
Spring 2015: History
April 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A ‘most American thing’
The original Thousand Island Park Tabernacle Building, ca. 1884. Photo from Watertown Daily Times archives.
The Chautauqua Movement and Thousand Islands Park
By Lenka Walldroff, NNY Living
Pop quiz, history fans: To what was President Theodore Roosevelt referring when he said: “It’s the most American thing in America.”? [Read more…]
Winter 2015 History
February 14, 2015 by Leave a Comment
An early dairy dynasty
By Lenka Walldroff
The F.X. Baumert and Co. cheese factory and office, Antwerp. At the turn of the 20th century, the factory was the largest of its kind in the country. Photo courtesy Watertown Daily Times archives.
F.X. Baumert and Co. introduced Muenster cheese to United States
From the mid-19th century until about 1930, Jefferson County reigned as the “Cheese Capital of the World.” In fact, at the time, more cheese was bought and sold on the Watertown Cheese Exchange than anywhere else in the world. Jefferson County’s cheese notoriety came from humble origins, however, with the first dairy farm opening in Rutland in 1834 with 20 cows. As road conditions were often poor, or roads were non-existent, travel took significantly longer in previous centuries than it does today. In pre-refrigeration times, this proved problematic for farmers trading in perishable goods like milk. [Read more…]