Aerial view of logging road leading to the “skid head,” where logs were loaded onto bobsleds to be transported out of the woods. This photograph captures the whole process of loading logs. Men rolled logs down onto bobsleds attached to horses; teamsters waited their turn to load. Pictured are a hauling sledge, logs and lumber, […]
Moving winter firewood in Essex County, NY. Samuel Starbuck driving John Deere Model MC two-cylinder bulldozer, hauling logs for firewood in winter of 1978. A can of chainsaw gas on top of the firewood. Chestertown, NY. Photo taken by Curtis Pack. Donated by Caroline H. Fish, former town historian for Chestertown, NY.
Team of two white horses pulling a bobsled (with only one bob, or runner), piled with firewood. Circa 1890-1900. Keene Valley, NY in Essex County. (Unidentified men.)
Leslie Lawrence driving horse-drawn bobsled, with a load of logs. Circa 1890-1910. Wilmington, NY. Written on the back of the photo in Leslie’s hand (with original misspellings): To Harry from Leslie Lawrence. We diden’t have eny road to draw even this load. if we thought we would tip we put our cap on the other […]
Pete Liberty’s lumber camp; employees pose for a photo in the snow. Circa 1890-1900. Ausable Forks, NY. Donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Liberty, October 4, 1977. Photographer was named Cheeseman (other details about photographer unknown).
Horse drawn bobsled transporting logs in winter in front of Roberts & Nichols dry goods store. Looking west from River street. Circa 1890-1900. Elizabethtown, NY. Donated by H.M. MacDougal.
A winter ferry in use – it had a flat bottom with steel runners and was built by Captain John LaVigne. It was operated from 1895-1917. The ferry carried mail and passengers, and had handles on the front and back of the “ferry” – one man pushed, one man pulled. Circa 1895-1910. Morristown, NY.
Fishermen (named from left: Nap, Dunn, Bogardus, and Scott) with their catch from ice fishing. Bogardus was a fishing guide and also caught sturgeon to send to NYC via the railroad. Circa 1950-1960. Morristown, NY.
Ogdensburg trolley in use on bridge over Oswegatchie River. Ogdensburg, NY. Circa 1910.
Winter mail delivery, by postman Bert Earl. Ogdensburg, NY. 1910s. Check out this North Country at Work story on a day in the life of Michael Welch, a mailman in Potsdam, NY.
