North Country At Work

Loggers holding peaveys, which were used to roll and move logs, posed on a rail car used to move logs and sawn lumber. Circa 1890-1900. Benson Mines, NY. Photographer: C.E. Runions. Related story, here.

Lumberjacks with log scaling tools. 1930s. Donated by Ralph Kelly. Somewhere near Saranac Lake, NY.

Lumberjacks posing in front of a horsedrawn ice machine. Circa 1930. Donated by the Sheldon family. Other photos from the family picture activities in Clinton and Franklin counties. This photo was taken at an unknown Adirondack location. Related story on ice harvesting, here.

Dexter Sulfite Mill’s raceway for floating logs down to the mill. Circa 1903. Dexter, NY.

Dexter Sulfite Paper Mill pulpwood pile, donated by Marion Evans (she was village historian at one time). Circa 1940s. Dexter, NY.

Dexter Sulfite Paper Mill pulpwood pile, donated by Frances and Doris Reed (Frances worked at the paper mill). Circa 1940s. Dexter, NY.

Bill Smith of Philadelphia drives the team—at Newton Falls Tract logging camp owned by Gould Paper of Lyons Falls. Bill was employed by Jim Weston. 1913. Newton Falls, NY. Photo loaned by Karl Hart of Philadelphia.

This exterior of a chair factory from about 1900 shows how factories used the river to bring logs in via a chute. Dam in foreground. Circa 1900. Philadelphia, NY.

Men running logs on an unidentified river in Saint Lawrence County in NYS, circa 1880-1890.

Sixteen (unidentified) men try to break up a log jam. These logs were headed down river during the spring drive to the Canton Lumber Company Mill at the foot of the gorge at High Falls in Pyrites. Circa 1890. Pyrites, NY. Related logging story (in Colton) here.