North Country At Work

Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-90. Circa 1930s. Speculator, NY. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton County Historian’s Office.

The Indian Lake Civilian Conservation Corps #3: pictured are Oralick, Otropech, Maksinski, and Roshon. Circa 1930s. Indian Lake, NY. Photo donated by T. Roy. Courtesy of the Hamilton County Historian’s Office.

Seth “Jack” Wadsworth, a local logger and woodsman. He was one of the earliest firewatchers on Cathead Mountain. Circa late 1940s or early 1950s. Benson, NY. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton County Historian’s Office.

Two men in front of the Cedar Lakes Ranger Headquarters. Circa 1940s. Arietta, NY. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton County Historian’s Office.

Construction crew builds NY-58 through the village of Natural Dam (Town of Gouverneur). Written on photo: “BUILDING THE STATE ROAD THROUGH THE VILLAGE NATURAL DAM. N.Y.” Photograph by Henry M. Beach. Circa 1910. Natural Dam, NY. Courtesy of the Adirondack Experience.

Craigardan is a not-for-profit educational organization in Keene. People of all ages come there for residencies, workshops, and classes in agriculture, the arts, and culinary studies. Barbara Tam founded it two years ago with Michele Drozd. Listen here to Barbara explain what Craigardan does, and why.

Margaret Hawthorn works at the upper lock on the Saranac River as a lock tender from mid-May to mid-September. It’s a small lock – only a 2.5 foot drop. It’s also hand operated, because there’s no electricity. Listen to Margaret’s story here. 

Forest ranger Bernard Siskavich determines fire danger from trees downed by the July 15, 1995 microburst storm. July 1995. Near Colton, NY.

Forest ranger Bernard Siskavich determines fire danger at a canoe carry from Lows Lake to the headwaters of the Oswegatchie River. July 1995. Colton, NY.

Forest ranger Bernard Siskavich checks for blown down trees after the July 15, 1995 microburst storm. Near High Falls on the Oswegatchie River. Around July 15, 1995. Fine, NY.