New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Johnsburg

Expanded New Edition Adirondack History Published

by 1 Comment

Expanded Second Edition of Echoes in These MountainsEchoes in These Mountains was author-historian Glenn Pearsall’s first award-winning book. Published in 2008, it tells the stories behind 55 historic sites in the Adirondack township of Johnsburg, in Warren County, NY.

The book was well received and the original run of 1,500 copies sold out years ago, so Pearsall decided it was time for a second edition. The second edition features additional historic photographs, an index and added new research and analysis, totaling 512 pages. [Read more…] about Expanded New Edition Adirondack History Published

Former Saratoga and North Creek Railway Purchased

by 2 Comments

Tahawus Railway Map Dec 2022Revolution Rail Company (RevRail) has announced its purchase of the Saratoga and North Creek Railway, which stretches from the hamlet of North Creek in Johnsburg, Warren County, north to the Tahawus mining works in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County. [Read more…] about Former Saratoga and North Creek Railway Purchased

The Sagacious Whitetail

by 1 Comment

Paul Schaefer in Siamese Ponds Wilderness, c. 1968I think of Adirondack conservationist and forever wild advocate Paul Schaefer (1908-1996) during whitetail deer hunting season, actually in any season, but particularly in deer season at his Adirondack cabin. From 1921 on, over a century now, Paul Schaefer and his family, friends and hunting club comrades in the Cataract Club ventured into the wilderness from cabins in the Adirondack mountains. [Read more…] about The Sagacious Whitetail

Rangers Take Part in Gondola Rescue Training

by Leave a Comment

Forest Ranger Gondola trainingOn November 3rd, seven Forest Rangers participated in gondola training at Gore Mountain Ski Area in Johnsburg, Warren County.

Each year, Rangers and Gore Mountain staff train for gondola rescues in preparation for the ski season. [Read more…] about Rangers Take Part in Gondola Rescue Training

Bobcat Ranney: The Hermit of Dogtown

by Leave a Comment

Bobcat RanneyAccording to “A Who’s Who of Adirondack Hermits,” in the Fiftieth Anniversary edition of Adirondack Life magazine there were only two in Warren County: artist John Henry Hill at Phantom Island on Lake George and Archie “Bobcat” Ranney of Baker’s Mills.

Hill only lasted six years, from 1870 until 1876: the year he was picked up and sent to an asylum, never to return to the county. Archie, on the other hand, made his mark in Adirondack history and lore by “hermiting” for twenty years in Baker’s Mills, a hamlet in the town of Johnsburg. [Read more…] about Bobcat Ranney: The Hermit of Dogtown

Johnsburg History Weekend Sept 9-11th

by Leave a Comment

North River CemeteryThe Town of Johnsburg History Weekend, featuring a historic marker dedication; a Graveyard Walk at North River Cemetery; and a dual commemoration of Teddy Roosevelt’s Night Ride to the Presidency and the 150th Anniversary of the North Creek Railway Station, has been set for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 9th through 11th. [Read more…] about Johnsburg History Weekend Sept 9-11th

Poetry: Crane Mountain Summit, Adirondacks

by 2 Comments

Crane Mountain Summit, Adirondacks

Steep climbing into more rare air underscores
how what is most immediate takes primacy

You may even suspect an expansive mind
goes before your own like explorers’ scouts

Knowing-ahead was essential to their role,
to evoke the intuitive grounded in experience

Each encounter with the unknown may ape
unlocking our entire panoply of experience

as Beauty and Sanctity chat across disciplines
like circus barkers auditioning for Heaven.

Read More Poems From the New York Almanack HERE.

Photographing the Civil War: Mathew Brady at 200

by Leave a Comment

Transport between decks on steamer by Matthew Brady Mathew Brady was one of the most prolific photographers of the nineteenth century, creating visual documentation of the Civil War period. While Mathew Brady’s exact birth-date in Warren County, NY is unknown (circa 1822 – 1824), this year marks the beginning of the commemoration of Brady’s 200th birthday. [Read more…] about Photographing the Civil War: Mathew Brady at 200

Man Charged With Building Camp in Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area

by Leave a Comment

Illegal camp in Johnsburg portion of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area (DEC photo)According to a press release issued by the New York state Department of Conservation, Forest Ranger Perryman issued tickets to a Saratoga County man on charges of damaging trees, storing personal property, and erecting a structure on State land in the in Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area.

The 114,010-acre Wilderness is one of the larger wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park. It includes a mix of mountains and waters where hiking, camping, fishing and hunting are the most popular activities. [Read more…] about Man Charged With Building Camp in Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area

Poetry: “Gotcha One Donut!”

by Leave a Comment

“Gotcha One Donut!”

I was deemed too young for the expedition.
My bro Matt was the leader by seniority. He
had eight years on me but only six on the
two Tommys, one Sennet and one Taylor,
Cub Schaefer, and John Hitchcock who lived
year-round on Edwards Hill Road, halfway
to the hamlet of Bakers Mills from our cabin. [Read more…] about Poetry: “Gotcha One Donut!”