Potsdam

1920s KKK Recruiting Efforts in Northern New York

January 6, 2020 by Lawrence P. Gooley 16 Comments

While we often look back fondly on the Roaring 20s for a number of reasons, it was a very dark period in the North Country in at least one regard: bigotry. For several years, the region was a hotbed of Ku Klux Klan activity during a high-profile recruiting effort.

The assumption today might be that the effort failed miserably among the good people of the north. But the truth is, the Klan did quite well, signing thousands of new members to their ranks. [Read more…] about 1920s KKK Recruiting Efforts in Northern New York

St Lawrence Co Historical Meeting at 1844 House

October 30, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association’s (SLCHA) Annual Membership Meeting has been set for Saturday, November 3rd at 4 pm. The meeting will take place at the 1844 House located at 6885 US Route 11, Potsdam.

A multi-course meal will be served with an entrée choice of Beef Bourguignonne, Dijon-Herb Crusted Salmon, or Butternut Ravioli (vegan and gluten free options are available upon request) followed by a program. [Read more…] about St Lawrence Co Historical Meeting at 1844 House

The Secret Identity of George B. Swan

October 26, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The next St. Lawrence County Civil War Round Table has been set for Sunday, October 28th, at 2 pm. Adam Bollt will present “Distinction Despite Disadvantage: The Story of George B. Swan,” at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, 3 E. Main Street Canton.

George B. Swan, a successful businessman of the mid-1800s, resided in Potsdam, NY, but hid a secret about his identity. Years after the end of the Civil War and an abundance of personal successes, Swan finally revealed that he was not white, but in fact was mixed race. [Read more…] about The Secret Identity of George B. Swan

Adirondack History: A Strange Case of Mistaken Identity

October 8, 2017 by Lawrence P. Gooley Leave a Comment

While it’s not gallows humor by definition, finding laughter in stories related to death can be a difficult proposition. In this case, rest assured: there’s actually not much death involved, and if your funny bone is intact, what follows should tickle it at least a bit.

In mid-August 1904, a number of regional newspapers reported a drowning near Underwood at the west end of Raquette Pond in Tupper Lake. Witnesses who saw a man jump into the water near the bridge there narrowed the possibilities to two: that he jumped in to retrieve his hat when it was blown off by the wind, or he committed suicide. The one thing everyone agreed on was that the man had deliberately entered the water where the current was strong and the depth may have been twenty feet or more. His body was recovered after a brief search and delivered to the undertaker, where locals came to help identify the victim. [Read more…] about Adirondack History: A Strange Case of Mistaken Identity