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EEYENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROAD RIGHTS OF WAY | | | E DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION# s, REAL PROPERTY DIVISION` Q REGION #7 COMPRISING THE COUNTIES OF: CLINTON, FRANKLIN, JEFFERSON, LEWIS, ST LAWRENCE. 197k
GLOSSARY BALLAST - Crushed rock or gravel, used in railroad beds to provide ground stability for laying ties and tracks. V BERM - A longitudinal mound of earth used to deflect water; a narrow ledge or shelf. > CULVERT - Any structure not classified as a bridge which provides an opening under any roadway. PRISM - As applied to canals, the entire area encompassing the sides which are parallelograms. TRESTLE - A braced framework of timbers, piles or stoelwork for carrying a railroad over a depression. ABBREVIATIONS R.R. - Railroad Rte. or Rt. - Route R.O.W. - Right of Way E/S - East Side W/S - West Side B s M - Boston and Maine D & H - Delaware and Hudson P. C. - Ponn Central
G. E. - General Electric
C. R. - County Road T/0 - Termination/Orioin II
TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS |^~R. II LIST OF MAPS |^~R. V REGION #7 CASE STUDIES OF ABANDONMENT LOCATION Pi&B,*Q9Pg PAGE 7 - 1 Rutland |^~R. 7 - 1 Norwood-Clinton County-Vermont State Line 7 - 2 New York, Ottawa |^~R. 7 - 2 Helena ~ Tapper Lake 7 - 3 Rutland |^~R. 7 - 3 Moira - Village of Bombay 7 - 4 Paul Smith Electric |^~R. 7 - 4 Lake Clear Junction-Paul Smith's College 7 - 5 Penn Central |^~R. 7 - 4 Malone - Lake Clear Junction 7 - 6 Delaware and Hudson |^~R. 7 - 5 Lyon Mountain-Saranac Lake 7 - 7 Delaware and Hudson |^~R. 7 a 6 Lyon Mountain - Dannemora 7 - 8 Delaware and Hudson |^~R. 7 - 7 West Chazy - Mooers 7 ~ 9 Grand Trunk . . J . . . . |^~R. 7 - '7 Mooers ~ Canadian Border 7 - 10 Penn Central |^~R. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 - 8 Ogdensburg - Rivergate 7 - 11 Grasse River |^~R. 7 - 8 Cranberry Lake - Childwold Station 7 - 12 Cranberry Lake |^~R. 7 - 9 Wannakena - Benson Mines 7 - 13 Waddington, Canton and Southern |^~R. 7 - 9 Canton - Pyrites 7 - 14 Clifton Mines |^~R. 7 - 10 Clifton Mines - Hermon 7 - IS Penn Central |^~R. 7 - 10 Watertown - Great Bend [IT
REoIoN #7 CASE STUDIES OF ABANDONMENT (Continued) LOCATION MAP CODE PAGE 7 - 16 Penn Central |^~R. 7 - 11 Watertown to Calcium 7 - 17 Penn Central |^~R. 7 - 11 Cape Vincent - Limerick 7 - 18 Penn Central . |^~R. . . . 7 --12 Sackets Harbor - Watertown 7 - 19 New York Central |^~R. 7 - 12 Lowville - Lyons Falls 7 - 20 Glenfield and Western |^~R.t|^~R. 7 - 13 Glenfield - Page in Tug Hill 7 - 21 Glenfield and Eastern or Keystone |^~R. 7 - 13 Brantingham Lake - Glenfield 7 ~ 22 Carthage and Copenhagen Railroad |^~R. 7 - 14 Copenhagen to West Carthage 7 - 23 Penn Central |^~R.| |^~R. 7 - 15 Dexter - Dexter Junction 7 - 24 Sackets Harbor - Ellisburg R.R. |^~R. . 7 - 16 Sackete Harbor - Pierrepoint 7 - 25 St Lawrence International Electric R.R|^~R. 7 - 17 Redwood - Alexandria Bay 7 - 26 International Hydro Electric Corp. . . |^~R. 7 - 18 Aldrich to Middle Branch 7 - 27 Hannawa Falls Water Power Co. |^~R. 7 - 19 Hannawa Falls - Potsdam 7 - 28 Black River Traction Co. . . . . . . |^~R. . . . 7 - 20 Watertown Dexter 7 - 29 Brookline Cooperage Co. |^~R.7 - 21 Tekene - Dunbar Pond 7 - 30 Tram Railroad owned by Emporium Lumber Co|^~R. 7 - 22 7 - 31 Privately owned by Augustus Low Sr. |^~R. 7 - 23 At time of Construction North and South of Horseshoe Falls IV
REGION #7 CASE STUDIES OF ABANDONMENT (Continued) LOCATION MAP CODE PAGE 7 - 32 Oval Wood Dish, Logging R.R|^~R. 7 - 24 Kildare Station to Iron Mt. Kildare Station to Sullivan Camp 7 - 33 Jefferson Iron Co|^~R. . |^~R. . . . . 7 ~ 25 Antwerp, N.Y. Old Sterling Mine 7 - 34 Basic Refractories Co|^~R. 7 - 26 Natural Bridge - Camp Drum 7 - 35 New York Central |^~R. 7 - 27 Rooseveltown to Canadian Border 7 - 36 High Falls Pulp and Paper Co. |^~R. 7 - 28 Chateaugay to Paper Co. 7 - 37 Keeseville - Ausable Chasm & Lake Champlain |^~R. 7 - 29 Keeseville - Port Kent 7 a | | | | | | @ @ * O O @ ' O I ` * ` . | 7 = | Penn Central: | | a a ' ' a ' ` ' 4 ` ' * ' 7 @ |
Inventory of Abandoned Pailraad Rights of Way
A. Approximate length 100 miles R. Approximate width 83'
C. General Conditions The Rutland Railroad, now abandoned for a distance of 100± miles, runs from Norwood in St. Lawrence County to the Clinton County Vermont State line. This 82 ½± ' (average) wide right of way is entirely privately owned, runs along level terrain through farm land and some rural and village residential type properties. On the old right of way a few bridges and overheads remain, most depot buildings are intact, but very little track or ties remain. The railroad in many places has been preserved as a cleared truck or jeep trail with overgrowth and some fencing at the right of way edges. The line parallels State Route ll and is easily accessible from the many Route ll North and South sideroads. The railroad was totally abandoned in New York State from Norwood easterly to the Vermont border between 1962 and 1965. The portion west of Norwood running to Ogdensburg has been purchased by the Ogdensburg Port Authority and is still being operated. All right of way and other property on the abandoned railroad has been sold off.
A. Approximate length 51 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions The abandoned New York-Ottawa Railroad runs from Helena in St. Lawrence County for a distance of 58± miles to Faust and connects the Grand Trunk or Canadian National Railroad with the New York Central. This line is heavily overgrown from Helena to St. Regis Falls and runs through farmland. From St. Regis Falls to Faust, the 100' right of way has been made over into dirt roads owned by the Towns of Altamont and Waverly and private hunting clubs such as the Spring Cove Fish & Game Club and the Kildare Club and other private owners. The abandoned railroad runs through wild "backwoods" forestland. Few structures remain on the Northern section while on the Southern Section bridges and overheads remain intact or have been rebuilt. While the Northern section parallels County Route #5 and is easily accessible, the section from Santa Clara South is far removed from any other transportation facilities.
At the Southern terminus is the Tupper Lake Spur running l ½± miles from Faust to Tupper Lake. The ties and track remain, the l00±' right of way is generally level and clear and the property is owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. and a shopping center. The line runs through residential and industrial rearland property. The line parallels Route 3 a couple of hundred yards to the North.
Another spur off the Tupper Lake Spur, the Raguette River Railroad, runs from Tupper Lake to Wawbeek - a distance of 10 miles. This 99±' wide right of way is barely discernable with much overgrowth and washouts. No structures remain, the terrain is generally level running through mostly brush and woodland. The right of way is owned by the abutting land owners and runs parallel to and crosses Route 3.
Another spur, the St. Regis Falls-Everton line originally owned by the Brooklyn Cooperage Company and now privately owned by abutting land owners (primarily the St. Regis Paper Company}, parallels and crosses the existing County Route 14 Red Tavern Road for a distance of 6± miles from St. Regis Falls to Everton. The width of the right of way is unknown and the line is overdgorown and undiscernable. No structures remain, the terrain is generally level and brushy and the principal abutting land use is woodland.
The St. Regis Falls-Lake Ozonia Electric Railroad was another privately owned branch running from St. Regis Falls to Lake Ozonia in St. Lawrence County, a distance of 6± miles. The width of the right of way is unknown. The railroad bed is overgrown and barely discernable. No structures remain. Except for the initial hill at St. Regis Falls, the terrain is level and brushy. The line is now privately owned primarily by the St. Regis Paper Company. Abutting land use is woodland and the railroad is removed from existing transportation facilities.
Another Brooklyn-Coooerage branch ran from the New York- Ottawa main line South of Santa Clara past Dexter Lake to the Southern end of Lake Ozonia for a distance of 8 miles. The same circumstances apply to this line as have been reported for the other Lake Ozonia Line.
Mention has also been made of other spurs which may have existed at Meno, Black Brook and Windfall Brook and other areas along the New York-Ottawa line. This is possible since the logging industry made heavy use of the railroad system and built many spurs to accommodate their large Adirondack industry. At any rate, signs of all the New York-Ottawa branch lines have long since disappeared and the land is now in private hands far removed from existing transportation facilities.
A. Approximate length 8 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions A spur line, the 8 mile Moira-Bombay Railroad, parallels State Route 95 a few hundred yards to the west from the Village of Moira to the Village of Bombay, connecting the Rutland Railroad with the still operating Canadian National Railroad. This line was privately owned and since abandonment, has been sold off to numerous abutting land owners. The right of way width is unknown (probably 66±') and the entire railroad is barely discernable, is unfenced, overgrown, with no structures remaining. Here also the right of way runs through farmland - both open field and brushland. County records and field inspection provided little information about this line except for the information provided by a man named Mr. Allen, Town Clerk, Moira.
A. Approximate length 5 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions A five-mile branch line, Paul Smith's Electric Railroad connecting Paul Smith's with the New York Central at Lake Clear Junction, runs through hilly and swampy woodland. The right of way (width unknown) as well as the abutting woodland is owned by Paul Smith's College. The right of way is overgrown in most places with some portions having been converted to a truck trail. No structures remain and access is primarily at the termini.
A. Approximate length 40 miles
B. Approximate width 100'
C. General Conditions
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad, of course, had many railroad lines throughout the State. In Franklin County the line that has been abandoned, however, is a 40± mile stretch from Malone to Lake Clear Junction. This abandoned line is now owned in fee almost exclusively by the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., who have made use of the right of way for location of high tension power lines. The 100±' wide roadbed itself has been maintained and is adequate for truck travel but only between bridges as most structures have been removed. The terrain is hilly, brush and woods covered; the principal abutting land use is woodland. Most of the right of way is far removed from existing transportation facilities.
A. Approximate length 32 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions The 100±'right of way is overgrown, particularly on the North end, no structures remain, and the terrain is semi-mountainous with many small brooks and river crossings. The right of way is all privately owned by various individuals, the principal abutting land use is woodland. Existing transportation facilities are generally far removed from the old right of way on the North end and are quite close on the South end of the line.
This railroad was completely abandoned around 1945. It has been completely sold off. Republic Steel Corporation purchased 13.67 miles of the right of way in 1952. A branch line, The Twin Ponds Sour which runs 5± miles from the South Inlet of Upper Chateaugay Lake to Twin Ponds Station, is now overgrown, the right of way is barely discernable, and no structures remain. The abutting land is semi-hilly brush and woodland. The width of the right of way is probably 66i' and the abutting owners have title to this railroad spur which is far removed from existing transportation facilities.
A. Approximate length 16 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General conditions This railroad is part of what is presently known as the Chateaugay Branch of the Delaware and Hudson. It is leased by the Delaware and Hudson from the Chateaugay and Lake Placid Railroad Company on a lease expiring in the year 2403. It runs from a station house located in Dannemora s west for a distance of 15.3 miles to the Lyon Mountain Post Office, which is located in the old railroad station house. It also branches off shortly before Lyon Mountain and runs about one-half mile to the mines behind the town. The approximate width of the right of way is 66 feet and it did not become abandoned until May of l97l. Consequently, as of June 1, 1971, the right of way was in good condition with most of the track and all other structures in place and in at least fair condition. At present, the right of way is still owned by the railroad, as are all structures within it, including the Dannemora Depot. The right of way passes through mountainous terrain for the most part and the abutting properties are either poor farmland or woodland.
The right of way would be ideally suited for riding, hiking or snowmobiling, as it passes within view of scenic Chazy Lake and within a mile of the Lowenberg Ski Area near Lyon Mountain. It crosses or runs along many local highways, so that any portion of it is easily accessible from a public road.
A. Approximate length 12 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions This was totally abandoned about 1925 and completely sold off. The principal buyer of this right of way was the New York State Electric and Gas Company, which purchased the segment from just north of West Chazy to the Village of Mooers.
A. Approximate length 2.25 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions This railroad was abandoned around 1928. It was approximately 2.25± miles long and ran between Mooers and the Canadian border. It has been completely sold off. This is just a small branch off of one of the Canadian main lines.
A. Approximate length 42 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions New York Central Railroad between Ogdensburg and Rivergate. The Ogdensburg-Rivergate abandoned right-of-way is approximately 42 miles in length and the approximate width of the right-of-way is 66 feet. General conditions observed are encroachment and overgrowth. There are ties, ballast, and right-of-way fencing remaining. Private ownership in this area is noted by fences being adjusted and conveyances have been recorded in the County Clerk's office for some lots near Ogdensburg which adjoin summer camps on the St. Lawrence River. The majority of the terrain is rolling and the principal abutting land use is recreational and agricultural. It has definite further recreational possibilities. The abandoned right-of-way parallels Route 37. This right-of-way was abandoned in 1961 and the trackage removed in 1965.
A. Approximate length 14 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Encroachment and overgrowth were observed and the ballast is the only remaining feature. The nature of the terrain is mountainous and wooded. The principal abutting land use is recreational and lumbering. This railroads, right-of-way has definite recreational possibilities. The portion of the road parallels Route 3 but otherwise proximity is very poor.
A. Approximate length 8 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions This right-of-way is badly overgrown and in very poor condition, very difficult to observe. Some ballast remains but there is encroachment and overgrowth.
A. Approximate length 3 miles
B. Approximate width varies
C. General Conditions Right-of-way which only three miles in length is a section of the proposed Waddington, Canton and Southern Railroad and its terminae, the main line of the New York Central over to Pyrites. This is a junction of the main line of the New York Central at point on Route 11 north of DeKalb Junction. Encroachment and overgrowth were observed and only the ballast remained. Fences have been adjusted. This was the only small portion actually built of the proposed railroad from Pyrites to the St. Lawrence River.
A. Approximate length 20 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Encroachment and overgrowth were observed. There is only ballast remaining. Fences have been adjusted. The nature of the terrain is heavily wooded as is most of the area around. The principal land use is agricultural. The right- of way parallels State Highway 87 and County Road 38. Apparently this right-of-way is being used by hunters and snowmobilers. The Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad operated a five mile section between DeKalb Junction and Hermon to serve a mine in that area. It is approximately five miles long and 66 feet right-of-way. There are washouts, encroacnments and overgrowtn on the right-of-way. Fences have been adjusted. Terrain is rolling. The right-of-way parallels Route SH 87. One section which may be on an abandoned mine operation is in very good condition.
A. Approximate length 9 miles
B. Approximate width 80'
C. General Conditions Watertown to Great Bend, approximately 9 miles 80' right-of-way was abandoned in 1969 and the trackage was removed in 1970. This extends from the City Corporation line to beyond the station at Great Bend.
A. Approximate length 3 miles
B. Approximate width 85'
C. General Conditions Watertown to Calcium, approximately 3 miles, 85' right-of-way was abandoned after the Watertown Passenger Station was closed in 1961. Trackage has been removed Northerly from the General Crushed Stone Yard to the "wye" at Calcium where the "cut off" goes West to the Bradley Street overpass. It was an interesting sidenote to find the cut off right-of-way was acquired in 1910 to re-route freight trains from using the Mill Street grade Crossing.
A. Approximate length 16 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Cape Vincent to Limerick, approximately 16 miles, 66' right-of-way was abandoned in 1954 and the trackage removed by 1961. The locomotive turntable at Cape Vincent and the swing bridge over the Chaumont River were removed.
A. Approximate length 12 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Sackets Harbor to Watertown, approximately 12 miles, 66' right-of-way was abandoned in 1951 and the trackage removed by 1953. Most culverts and street overpasses (Village of Sackets Harbor) were breeched or removed, and the highways adjusted. It is still possible to see the old right-of-way alignments even though some fencing has been adjusted and brush has grown.
A. Approximate length 14 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions A 14 mile segment of this line from Lowville south to Lyons Falls is the major section of the abandoned rights-of-ways included in this report. The width of the ROW is 66' and the terrain is level, slightly rolling. The embankment and ballast are quite intact, although several farmers have plowed the roadbed level where it crosses their fields. This is an encroachment and local residents tell me that very little of the ROW has been conveyed out by the New York Central. A Mr. Rowell purchased the depot in Glenfield (Liber 270, Page 267) and operated it as a store. The prinoipal abutting land use is agricultural and the ROW parallels Route 12.
A. Approximate length 20 miles
B. Approximate width 65'
C. General Conditions The Glenfield and Western Railroad Company operated a 20 mile railroad between Glenfield and a remote area called Page in Tug Hill. This line served the Gould Paper Company which bought all of the segment west of Route l2B in Houseville to the Page terminus in 1940 (Libers l9l, 213; Pages 264, 367) after the railroad went into receivership and owns it today. The ROW was 66' wide and the ballast and some ROW foncing remain. The ballast is in generally good condition with some overgrowth and encroachment on the portion between Routes l2D and 12 which, according to local residents, was never conveyed to abutting land owners.
A. Approximate length ll miles
B. Approximate width
C. General Conditions The Glenfield and Eastern or Keystone Railroad was an instant victim of the Depression. Officially a property of the Keystone Wood Chemical and Lumber Corporation, the ll miles of tracks were laid in 1929 to transport company lumber products from "l0 mile crossing" north of Brantingham Lake to Glenfield. However, the newly formed company went under in 1931 and Lewis County acquired the land holdings for non- payment of taxes. The ballast is overgrown and a gate has been erected at its eastern terminus indicating private ownership of the last mile of ROW by a hunting club and some camps. The principal abutting land use is recreational with some agriculture. The area is heavily wooded. The old ROW parallels Van Arnum and Partigeville Roads.
Mr. Clarence Johnson of Glenfield, New York was particularly helpful in giving background on abandoned ROWS and offered to show various sections to the writer. The railroads were a hobby of his. A Mr. Lawton Williams of the Gould Paper Company was named as a good source of railroad data in Central Lewis county if further investigation is reguired.
Inventory of Abandoned Railroads Rights of way Region 7
A. Approximate length 8 mi.
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions The Carthage and Copenhagen Railroad Company operated an eight mile tract from Copenhagen to West Carthage on a 66' ROW from 1906 - 1918. It went into reoeivership in 1917 and was sold as a whole unit to Wilbur Van Allen (Liber 129, Page 22) who was a member of the Board of Directors. All that remains is the ballast which is in good condition. I was able to drive a car over several portions of it. There is no indication of major conveyances from Van Allen to adjacent land owners who are largely farmers. There is some encroachment and overgrowth. The depot in Copenhagen was sold and is used as a storage building. The ROW runs between Route 12 and 26A. This ROW, as all of the others in this report, has recreational possibilities. The terrain is hilly and wooded. A map is on file in the Lewis County Clerk's office in map file #18.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 1.2 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Encroachment; ballast remaining.
This spur line of the Penn Central Railroad running from the line between Watertown and Limerick to the village of Dexter was abandoned in about 1969 and the rails removed. Ownership of the right-of-way still remains with Penn Central.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGTON # 7
A. Approximate length 18 miles
B. Approximate width 33±'
C. History and General Conditions The Sackets Harbor - Ellisburg Railroad was organized in 1851 and became operational in 1853 and was abandoned in 1862. Very little evidence of the railroad exists except in the fill or cut sections. Many sections cross cultivated fields with no trace at all. At one point approximately 2 miles south of Sackets Harbor there is the remains of an old wing wall abuttment apparently an old underpass.
All landowners contacted said there was no exception in their deed which referred to a railroad, either in fee or as an easement. It would appear that the right-of-way has long since reverted to the landowner.
Mr. Dale Watts, Historian at the Sackets Harbor Museum was very helpful in furnishing dates and orienting the writer so that the right-of-way might be viewed.
According to the records in the Jefferson County Clerk's office the real property of the Sackets Harbor-Ellisburg Railroad was disposed of in deeds recorded in Liber 137, Page 37 to J. M. Kesson and Liber 137, Page 513 to W. T. Searls. These are Referee Deeds.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 7.5 miles 8. Approximate width 33'
C. History and General present condition The St. Lawrence International Electric Railway and Land Co. was organized in 1902 by three local men - Charles Remington,
B. B. Taggart, and Jacob Amos. It was franchised in 1906. It was an overhead electric trolley type with two cars, one open and one closed, for use in inclement weather. The Redwood terminal was at the New York Central Station and the schedules provided for meeting all New York Central passenger trains.
As automobiles became more popular and the road between Alexandria Bay and Redwood was improved, patronage of the trolley diminished and in 1916 the railroad was abandoned. The ties and track were removed and the cars were sold. The enclosed car became a camp on a nearby inland lake.
The right-of-way is still very evident. Approximately 1% miles of the right-of-way on the Redwood end is now used by Niagara Mohawk for a power line and as far as could be determined from abutting land owners, Niagara Mohawk owns this portion of the old right-of-way, by deed made in 1916 in Liber 348 at page 245. The balance of the right-of-way parallels State Rte. 26 or is incorporated in the road bed. For the most part it appears to be incorporated in the State right-of-way.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROAD RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 8± miles Bi Approximate width 66±'
C. General Conditions According to Frederick Griffin a retired Forest Ranger, since 1964, who was employed by the New York State Conservation department, the International Hydro Electric Corp. railroad ran from Aldrich to the Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie River for a distance of 8± miles, being utilized to transport pulpwood to the main line of the New York Central Railroad. In 1922 the tracks and ties were removed and on September 15, 1933 the ROW was sold to Systems Properties, Inc. East 42nd Street, New York City and according to information found in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office, the consideration was $1,350. as indicated by $1.50 in stamps, sale being recorded in Liber 285 Page 350. The old ROW is level and averages about 66±' in width, of which approximately 5± miles is traversable by automobile. The remaining 3± miles is somewhat overgrown with brush but can be traversed by jeep or similar vehicles. The old ballast is still in evidence as well as a platform plank bridge which spans Mud Creek. A gravel town road known as the Coffin Road runs directly from the village of Oswegatchie to the beginning of the old ROW in Aldrich. This road is in good condition and makes access to the old R. R. ROW easily accessible. Since its abandonment in 1922 the first 5± miles of old ROW has been utilized and well maintained as a public road by the State of New York. Land abutting the old ROW is utilized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
INVENTORY or ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS or WAY REGION 8 7
A. Approximate length 4 miles R. Approximate width 33'
C. General Conditions and History The Hannawa Falls Water Power Co. railroad was organized in about 1900 and consisted of about 4 miles of track. The purpose was to haul pulp logs from the wood grinders at Hannawa Falls to Potsdam. Mr. Benjamon Paticki, an employee of Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. was very helpful in pointing out the old rignts-of-way and briefly told the writer the history of the Hannawa Falls Water Power Co. which owned the pulp mill and the railroad. He said the operation of the mill and railroad was abandoned in about 1915. Sometime after that date the mill and the right-of-way was taken over by a power company which subsequently sold to the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. (an interesting side note here is the fact that the same power heads which were installed in 1900 are still running Niagara Mohawk generators).
The right-of-way follows (generally) the course of the Raquette River touching on two islands and entering Potsdam on the west side of the river roughly at the corner of Clarkson Avenue and Maple Streets. The Clarkson Arena is built on a portion of the old right-of-way. Except for the commercial land in the village of Potsdam, Mr. Paticki told the writer that Niagara Mohawk owns the right-of-way. According to the records in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office, the Hannawa Falls Water Power Co. sold the right-of-way to the Newton Falls Paper Co. by a deed dated November 14, 1905 and recorded at Liner 169 at page l7ll.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION #7
A. Approximate length 6 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions Washout, no structures remaining.
The Black River Traction Co. was formed in 1897 and built the electric trolley line from Watertown to Dexter. The right-of-way ran along the center of the present State Rt. 12 E. At a point about 5 mile west of the village of Brownville, the track left the main road and followed along the banks of Black River a distance of about 2½ miles to the village of Dexter. The old right-of-way is still very evident and is presently used as a right-of-way by Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. The trolley line was abandoned in 1931, and in 1937 the privately owned right-of-way in the town of Brownville was sold to Leon Schwerzman by a deed dated July 16, 1937 and recorded July 26, 1937 at Liber 420, Page 368 in the Jefferson County Clerk's office.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 7± miles R. Approximate width 33±'
F. General Conditions According to Mr. Glen Tracy who is co-owner of the Tracy Trumhley Construction Co. of Plattsburgh, N. Y. and has a summer home within walking distance of the old railroad ROW, the tracks and ties were removed around 1917. Mr. Tracy said the old railroad ran for a distance of 7± miles from Tekene to Dunbar Pond and was about 33±' in wldth. Originally the railroad was utilized for logging but Since its abandonment it has been converted to a gravel road. It is still used for logging purposes by the Sher Don Assoc. of Keeseville,
N. Y. and by adjacent property owners as a public road. Approximately 6 miles of the road is traversable by automobile, but the remaining one mile is overgrown with brush. The old abutments where the track once crossed the old abandoned D. & H. Railroad are still in evidence and a plank type bridge which crosses the Hedgebrook Creek is still intact and usable. The terrain is mountainous and land abutting the old ROW is wild and wooded and utilized by hunters and loggers. The old railbed intersects and is easily accessible from Route 99. Information found in the Franklin County Clerk's office indicates that the Brooklyn Cooperage Co. sold off many parcels of land in the area, but that in all instances the old railroad ROW was excepted. Information found in the County Clerk's office also indicates that the Brooklyn Cooperage Co. leased the old ROW to the Gould Paper Co. of Lyons Falls, N. Y. and John E. Johnson of Port Leyden, N. Y. for a period of 5 years with option to renew. The consideration being $5.00 per 1000 ft. of hardwood over 8H, by Scribner Rule, and $6.00 per cord for softwood. Liber 193 - Page 152 dated ll December 1926 and Recorded 23 May 1097.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 10 miles
B. Approximate width Railbed built on company land
C. General Conditions In about 1917 the Emporium Lumber Co. of Pennsylvania bought a large tract of land north of the village of Cranberry Lake and abutting the village. They established a steam powered sawmill and began lumbering operations. As the operations progressed, they built a railroad into the woods to service the mill. By the time operation of the mill ceased in 1948 some 32 miles of track had been laid. The track and ties have been removed and a large portion of the old railbed is now used by log trucks. There are several hunting clubs leasing hunting rights and they also use the railbed as access to their camps. The Emporium Lumber Company has sold a great portion of their holdings to the following owners: 1. Draper Lumber Co., Tupper Lake, New York 2. Newton Falls Paper Co., Newton Falls, New York There remains some 1 ½ miles of the old railbed on Emporium Lumber Co. land, about 4 miles on Draper Land and 27 miles on Newton Falls Paper Co. land. Since the total length of this railroad was built on the owner's land no right-of-way, as such, existed until the property was sold and apparently they reserved the railbed to be used as access to lots sold off along the old site. This exception appears in a deed to the Draper Corp. in 1945 at Liber 363, Page 254.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROAD RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 5± miles
B. Approximate width 33±'
C. General Conditions Washout, flooding, encroadhment, overgrown - drivable entire length by automobile; no structures remaining.
According to William Feist, Superintendent of the American Legion Mountain Camp, Inc., the railroad originally was privately owned by Augustus Low, Sr. and constructed wholly on Mr. Low's land for the purpose of transporting pulpwood. It is approximately 5 ½ miles long and 33±' wide and the old rail road bed is now utilized as a gravel road which is easily traversed by automobile. At present .5± miles of the aforementioned gravel road runs in a northerly direction from Horseshoe Station and is owned by the American Legion Mountain Camp Inc. The remaining 2± miles of gravel road runs north to Pine Pond and is owned by the Reverend Paul Moore, the Episcopal Bishop of New York City. The .4± miles of gravel road running in a southerly direction from the Horseshoe Station is also owned by the American Legion Mountain Camp Inc. and the remaining 2.1± miles of the old rail bed has been paved and belongs to the People of the State of New York and is a part of Route 421. Mr. Feist said the railroad was abandoned around 1920. The old railroad terrain is generally level and the abutting land is utilized for recreational purposes, and has direct access from Route 421. According to information found in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office Liber 205, Page 227 and 292 there was a trustee Deed from the Augustus Low estate into the Farmers Loan & Trust Co. dated July 12, 1921 and recorded December 9, l92l for the consideration of $25.00.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 14 miles (total)
B. Approximate width (none as such)
C. General Conditions The railroad was built as a means of transporting logs out of the woods, as it was built by the Oval Wood Dish Co. on their lands, no right-of-way, as such, ever existed. The railroad is still very evident and is used by hunters. The superintendent of the Kildare Club, Mr. Lawrence Sanford, was contacted and proved to be a good source of information regarding the old railroad. He showed me maps prepared by the forester for Oval Wood Dish which located the railroad. One spur ran northwest from Kildare Station to a point north of Gardon Lake while the other went in a weeterly direction to Sullivan Camp - a logging camp. Both spurs connected with the Helena Tupper Lake Railroad. The last rails and ties were removed in 1937 and subsequently the land sold to Diamond National Paper Co., by the following deeds - St. Lawrence County, Liber 320, Page 313, Franklin County Liber 423, Page 541.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHT OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 4.5t miles
H. Approximate width 33±'
F. General Conditions Overgrowth; no Structures remaining.
The Jefferson Iron Co. Railroad which is approximately 4.5 miles long was abandoned around 1910 according to residents in the immediate area. It ran from Antwerp, N. Y. to the Antwerp Sterling Mine, no longer in operation. According to owners of land adjacent to the railroad ROW there are no exceptions shown in their deeds, nor is there any indication that the railroad has paid any taxes on the land since its abandonment. The ROW is approximately 33±' wide and for the most part level. Land abutting the ROW is utilized for agricultural purposes. The ROW intersects a town road and parallels Route # ll on the east. Very little of the old ROW is in existance due to overgrown and settling of the old railroad bed.
No record could be found in the Jefferson County Clerk's office where the old Railroad ROW was ever sold off.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY REGION # 7
A. Approximate length 4± miles
B. Approximate width 50±'
C. General Conditions Washout, flooding, enoroaohment overgrowth-drivable except where a bridge which was removed and spanned the Indian. River; no structures remaining.
The Basic Refractories Corp. Railroad is approximately 4± miles long and was abandoned about 1933 according to Asa Phillips who was employed as a locomotive fireman on the railroad. The railroad ran from Natural Bridge, New York and terminated at the Basic Refractories, Corp. limestone quarry now located on the Camp Drum Army installation. Land adjacent to the old railroad is now owned by U. S. Govt.(90%). The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (8%) and the town of Lewisburg (2%). The old railroad ROW is about 50±' wide and the terrain is of a hilly nature. The land abutting the ROW which is owned by the U. S. Govt. is utilized for military training. The land owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is utilized as a reforestation area and the land owned by the town of Lewisburg is for the most part wi1d and brush covered. The ROW intersects and is accessible by Several dirt and gravel roads.
Information found in the Jefferson County Clerk'S Office discloses that the Basic Refractories Corp. sold a portion of the old ROW to a Mr. J. E. Baker, by a deed dated 29 December, 1933 and recorded 29 June, 1934 in Liber 410, Page 62 for the consideration of $14.50 in stamps. Also, according to Liber 424, Page 488 by Public Auction, the town of Wilna acquired a portion of the old ROW from the Basic Refractories, Corp. for a consideration of $2088.79. This deed was made 19, September, 1938 and recorded 21 September, 1938. Another deed in Liber 447, Page 402 indicates that for a consideration of $.55 in stamps the Basic Refractories, Corp. sold a portion of the old ROW to a Mr. prederick L. Smith of 935 State St., Carthage, N. Y.
This deed was dated 28 March, 1944 and recorded 31 March, 1944. The Jefferson County Clerk'S office also discloses that the United States of America by Decree on Declaration of taking acguired portions of the old ROW from the Basic Refractories Corp. as follows: By Civil Action HlO23, Liber 441, Page 3 dated 2nd April, 1942 and recorded ll April, 1942 for the consideration of $10,445. and by Civil Action #1134, Liber 443, Page 3 dated 22 October, 1942 and recorded 29 october, 1942 for the consideration of $5,610.
A. Approximate length l 1/3 miles R. Approximate width 50±' to l00±'
C. General Conditions The track ran from Rooseveltown to the Canadian Border for an approximate distance of l l/3± miles and was owned and operated by the New York Central Railroad Company. Its widths varied from 50±' to 100±' and the terrain for the most part was level. The old right-of-way is now overgrown with brush, with the exception of about 600±' which was at one time utilized by both train and automobile to cross the St. Lawrence River into Canada, with the track running down the middle of the old Route 56 highway. A portion of the old highway is still in evidence as is the old stone bridge abutment on the south bank of the river. All of the track, ties and other facilities, however, were removed in 1956. Land adjacent to the old right-of-way is, for the most part, industrial and owned by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. According to information in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office 2,228.39±' of the old right-of-way was sold to William S. Craper of 32 Clarkson Avenue, Massena, New York and William C. Ward of 44 Groove Street, Massena, New York on May 29, 1961 and was recorded in Liber 697, Page 560 December 13, 196l for a consideration of $3,720. as indicated by $4.10 in stamps. Again on October 17, 1961 William S. Craner and William C. Ward purchased 600±' of the old right- of-way for a consideration of less than 5100. This sale was recorded in Liber 697, Page 556 on December 13, 1061. On July 30, l963, 3,900±' of the old right-of-way was sold to the town of Maesena For a consideration of $500. and was recorded in Liber 731, Page 93 on December 16, 1963.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY Rnaxan # 7
A. Approximate length 1.2± miles
B. Approximate width 33±'
C. General Conditions According to Attorney Frank Foran of Chateaugay, N. Y. the old railroad was privately owned and operated by the High Falls Pulp and Paper Co., and served as a spur line to transport its products to the Rutland Railroad main line. It ran for a distance of 1.2± miles over level terrain from the paper mill on the east bank of the Chateaugay River where it switched to the Rutland railroad. Around 1940 the High Falls Pulp & Paper Co., went out of business and the track and ties were removed and the property sold to the International Paper Co. of New York City. Land abutting the old rail spur is primarily utilized for agricultural purposes. The railroad itself is approximately 33±' in width and heavily overgrown with brush and can be traversed only by walking. It is accessible by traveling south out of Chateaugay on Route 374 and then east by a gravel town road known as Commons Road. Other than the ruins of the old paper mill and its elevator tower there is no evidence of any other structures. Information found in the Franklin County Clerk's office indicates that the High Falls Pulp & Paper Co. sold the ROW to the International Paper Co. of New York City for a consideration of $1.00 and other good and valuable considerations. Liber 195 - Page 99 dated 22 December, 1927 and Recorded 9, January, 1928.
INVENTORY OF ABANDONED RAILROADS RIGHTS OF WAY melon # 7
A. Approximate length 5.6 miles R. Approximate width 33±'
C. General Conditions The section from Keeseville to Ausable Chasm is being used as a power line right-of-way. Little evidence of the railbed from Ausable Chasm to Port Kent is visable and there are no remaining structures. However, at Port Kent Village, the railbed is still very evident. The writer contacted Mr. John Rennell, who is some 85 years old and operates a General Store in the village of Port Kent. Mr. Rennell is a retired railroad man and proved to be a good source of information. The railroad was abandoned in the early 1920s and in 1925 the property was deeded to Michael Callahan by Emma J. Powers, as Executrix of the Estate of Joseph Powers. This deed is recorded at Liber 143, Page 357 in the Clinton County Clerk's office.
C. General Conditions The 21.2 mile section of railroad between Philadelphia and Clayton that has been abandoned is owned entirely by the Penn Central Transportation Company. It has recently been abandoned and all structures are intact. The track has not been removed and has been breached at only one point - the Black Creek Road - a town of Clayton highway which breached the rails during the construction of a new road.
The road bed runs along level terrain through agriculture land and passes through the village of LaFargeville. The depot buildings are mostly intact and have been leased to private enterprise. In the village of Clayton the right of way borders the St. lawrence River for a considerable distance.
The recreation possibilities would appear to be for snowmobile trail and the development of the river front property.
A. Approximate length 46 miles
B. Approximate width 66'
C. General Conditions The Penn Central Railroad between Sabattis and Tupper Lake has been recently abandoned. The observed general condition of the right of way is good with all bridges and right of way structures intact. The ties and rails are in place, and there seems to be little erosion of the cut or fill sections. There are no conveyances of record out of Penn Central. The majority of the terrain is rolling to mountainous, and the principle abutting land is forest. It appears to have a definite further value for recreational purposes.