Editorial Staff

The Great Blizzard of March 1888 in Washington County

March 22, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

If, when browsing the antiques shops of Washington County, you should spot an old hat with “March 12-13, 1888” marked inside, there is a story behind it. A story almost not fully told.

“It is unnecessary to speak in detail of the storm,” The Granville Sentinel reported on March 16, 1888. “It has been everywhere and all know its effect.” Then, as if the editor had second thoughts, the report continued for the full column and about half of a another, a rare luxury of space afforded only the most important of news stories in 19th century newspapers.

It was definitively the biggest storm of the season, and possibly of the century. [Read more…] about The Great Blizzard of March 1888 in Washington County

Clean-Up Planned For Historic Cooperage Site On Old Champlain Canal

March 10, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that cleanup of contamination a historic cooperage site on the old Champlain Canal is expected to resume this month.

In its early years, Friedrichsohn Cooperage (also spelled Fredrickson) made and refurbished wooden kegs and barrels. DEC says the cooperage dates to 1817, but some historians claim as early as 1791. Tradition has it that meat-packer Samuel Wilson of Troy (Uncle Sam) was among the company’s customers. [Read more…] about Clean-Up Planned For Historic Cooperage Site On Old Champlain Canal

Rangers Respond To Injured Skiers, Snowmobile Accident, Stranding

February 17, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond To Injured Skiers, Snowmobile Accident, Stranding

2021 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Poster Released

January 20, 2021 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

“Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau has released his poster design for the 2021 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

Using the Winter Carnival’s designated theme “Mask-erade,” Trudeau’s illustration shows multiple “Doonesbury” characters with different face masks representing various features of the Adirondacks.

Trudeau, who was raised in Saranac Lake, has created the Winter Carnival poster design since 2012 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. [Read more…] about 2021 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Poster Released

Birds of New York: Scientific Cataloging In Historical Context

January 3, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In 1844 New York State published a volume on birds in Natural History of New York. Written by James E. DeKay with hand-colored lithographs by John William Hill, it was the State’s first attempt at a comprehensive scientific cataloging of New York’s birds. At the time about 301 species of birds were known to be present in the state.

Sixty years later another effort was made to bring together the State’s bird knowledge. The first of the two-volume of Birds of New York – Water Birds and Game Birds – was published to much acclaim. The book was a collaboration between wildlife artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes and author Elon Howard Eaton. Birds of New York listed an additional 100 species – several of which were then “well known,” but unknown in the 1840s. The book would serve as a model for those that followed.

Murder Trials Of Note In 19th Century Saratoga County

December 31, 2020 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

The following record of nineteenth century murder trials in Saratoga County was provided by a Mechanicville correspondent to the Troy Daily Times in 1891:

There have been many noted murder trials in Saratoga county since the first court was held in the town of Stillwater May 10, 1791 – 100 years ago. The court now in session at Ballston Spa meets about five miles from where the first court was held, at the residence of Samuel Clark, near East Line, Judge John Thompson of Stillwater [then] presiding, he having received the appointment as the first judge of Saratoga county from Governor Clinton. [Read more…] about Murder Trials Of Note In 19th Century Saratoga County

Hunter Falls From Tree Stand; Lost, Injured Hikers Rescued

December 16, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents around New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Hunter Falls From Tree Stand; Lost, Injured Hikers Rescued

Can You Give The Last $25 And End Our Fundraising For The Year?

December 15, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

We’re just $25 from our annual fundraising goal, but we need your help to get over the top. We receive no public money. We depend on you. (THANK YOU to those who have already done their part!)

To keep New York Almanack publishing we need you to make a contribution online at our Rally.org page: https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO Or, make checks payable to: [Read more…] about Can You Give The Last $25 And End Our Fundraising For The Year?

America’s First Christmas Card & An Early Albany Department Store

December 10, 2020 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Before F. W. Woolworths’, Whitney’s, or even Myer’s department store, there was Pease’s Great Variety Store, located in the Temple of Fancy at 516 and 518 Broadway in Albany, NY.

As with other fancy goods stores, Pease’s catered to the middle and upper middle class selling highly decorated goods like ceramics, prints, furniture and other decorative household items that progressively thinking people might have wanted to purchase. [Read more…] about America’s First Christmas Card & An Early Albany Department Store

Adirondack Hunter Found Dead, Hiker Rescued By Forest Rangers

December 9, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Adirondack Hunter Found Dead, Hiker Rescued By Forest Rangers