New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Queensbury

Carleton’s Raid in 1780 Devastated Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties

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Map of Carleton's RaidThe 1780 Carleton Raid devastated the present-day New York State counties of Saratoga, Warren, and Washington. It was known as the “Great Burning” because many of the structures along the “Old Military Road” south of Fort George at the southern end of Lake George were destroyed.

British Maj. Christopher Carleton’s raid was part of a larger strategy that played out across upstate New York and Vermont. Together with Carleton’s raiders, Sir John Johnson swept across the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys, Col. John Munro attacked Ballston Spa, and Lt. Richard Houghton raided Royalton, Vermont during the autumn of 1780. [Read more…] about Carleton’s Raid in 1780 Devastated Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties

Don Rittner To Lead Warren County Historical Society

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warren county historical societyThe Warren County Historical Society has announced that Don Rittner will be its new Executive Director, effective September 1. He will replace Teri Rogers, who is retiring and who has served as the Society’s director since 2017 and oversaw the creation of its museum.

Rittner has experience in the history field as an historian, archeologist, educator, and author in the Capital Region. He has been the involved in several historic and environmental non-profit organizations, and he has authored over fifty short books. [Read more…] about Don Rittner To Lead Warren County Historical Society

Several Anglers Ticketed in Warren County Sweep

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ECO Walraven piloting a Zodiac vessel on patrol in the Hudson RiverOn the morning of April 15th, Lieutenant Higgins and NYS Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Brassard patrolled a small trout pond in Queensbury and discovered several anglers catching freshly stocked trout without incident. However, some anglers also possessed out-of-season chain pickerel. In addition, two fishermen had failed to buy a fishing license, resulting in tickets to the offenders.

It was one of several incidents where anglers were ticketed for illegal fishing in Warren County. [Read more…] about Several Anglers Ticketed in Warren County Sweep

State Investigating Several Polluted Landfill Sites In Queensbury

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Map of Polluted Landfill Sites In Queensbury provided by DECNew York State is committing resources to perform and/or oversee an investigation of emerging contaminants, namely 1,4-dioxane and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), detected in groundwater near a complex of inactive landfills between State Route 149 and Mud Pond Road in the Town of Queensbury, Warren County.

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) say the levels may be a concern for nearby private wells and with the property owners’ consent are conducting testing of those wells. The Departments say that to date, PFAS have not been detected in any private wells above New York State’s public drinking water standards although 1,4-dioxane has. [Read more…] about State Investigating Several Polluted Landfill Sites In Queensbury

The Revolutionary War in the Adirondacks

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the revolutionary war in the adirondacks During the Revolutionary Era much of New York State was a heavily forested frontier, sparsely populated but bitterly divided.

Although the only major campaign in the Adirondacks would end at the Battle of Saratoga, factional raiding parties traversed the mountains and valleys of the Adirondacks throughout the war.

Author Marie Danielle Annette Williams details many of those frontier raids in her new book The Revolutionary War in the Adirondacks: Raids in the Wilderness (Arcadia Publishing, 2020). [Read more…] about The Revolutionary War in the Adirondacks

In 1883 The Glens Falls News Cycle Was Cut In Half

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The Morning Star April 2 1883Breaking news from Sandy Hill was published at 5 am Monday April 2, 1883, the day the Glens Falls news cycle was cut in half from 24 to 12 hours.

“A bout of fisticuffs occurred at the freight depot yesterday afternoon in which several glove handlers were engaged. No less than forty spectators were present. No damage was done beyond desecration of the Sabbath,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported in its debut issue. [Read more…] about In 1883 The Glens Falls News Cycle Was Cut In Half

Warren Co Historical To Mark Tragic Railroad Accident

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Delaware and Hudson Passenger Train headed toward Lake George from Queensbury in 1948 by Charles E AubreyOn September 5, 1915, five members of the Nelson Norton family of Whitehall, NY were killed when the car in which they were riding was struck by a train as they crossed the railroad tracks at Bay Road in Queensbury, Warren County, NY.

The crossing was part of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad’s line between Glens Falls and the village of Lake George, now part of the Warren County Bikeway. [Read more…] about Warren Co Historical To Mark Tragic Railroad Accident

Warren County Historical Society Open House Nov 7th

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Warren County Historical SocietyThe Warren County Historical Society is set to hold its annual Open House on Saturday, November 9th from 11 am to 2 pm at its headquarters and museum on 50 Gurney Lane, in Queensbury, NY.

The Society’s new permanent exhibition, “Warren County 360: Celebrating Place and People,” will be featured, along with a display of Warren County postmarks and post office history, as well as a “Hands-On-History” station. The Book and Gift Shop will be open for shopping, and refreshments will be provided. [Read more…] about Warren County Historical Society Open House Nov 7th

The Jessup Brothers in the American Revolution

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Jessup Patent MapIn the mid-1760s, brothers Edward and Ebenezer Jessup moved from Dutchess County, NY, to Albany and engaged in land speculation in the Hudson River Valley and Lake George area.

The Jessups would become friendly with Sir William Johnson, who had built Fort William Henry in 1755. Thanks to his close relationship with the Mohawk, Johnson became the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. The Jessups acquired much of their land from Johnson and the Mohawks. [Read more…] about The Jessup Brothers in the American Revolution