North Country At Work

Stone sorting operation, including chutes (behind unidentified worker) and piles of crushed stone. Note open ceiling. Circa 1930s or 1940s. Taken by/for Watertown Daily Times. Unknown location.

Workers sewing inside the Shaughnessy Knitting Mill. The plant was started in Amsterdam, NY, and then moved to Watertown. In the 1920s, the company had mills in Philadelphia and Boston, with offices in about 200 different cities, and its plant (pictured here) in Watertown. The American flags may be in support of the war. Circa […]

Sawmill workers posed on loading dock with rail car loaded with sawn beams. Circa 1890-1900. Benson Mines, NY. Related story, here.

This aerial photo of Bagley and Sewall was taken by Leslie C. Cooke of Watertown. Circa 1930s or 1940s. Watertown, NY.

Employees of Bagley and Sewall manufacturing company photographed inside shop. The factory was run by a transverse shafts system, involving belts and pulleys attached to a power system (pre-electricity). 1890. Photo printed at Stead & Cudlip. Watertown, NY.

Molten metal being poured into molds at Bagley and Sewall, a machine manufacturing company based at Sewall’s Island in the Black River. Circa 1940s. Watertown, NY.

This photo was found among papers belonging to Mary Palmers. Her mother or aunt may be among the women pictured here working in a sewing factory. The sign in back says: Positively No Eating During Working Hours. Circa 1910-1920. Watertown, NY.

A mechanic inspecting a New York Air Brake compound pump inside Bagley and Sewall, a machine manufacturing company. Circa 1920-1930. Watertown, NY.

Exterior of Boat Factory/Columbian Boat Livery, which manufactured and rented boats. Canoe or Adirondack skiff in front of two unidentified employees. Circa 1890-1900. Depauville, NY (in town of Clayton).

A shipment of rolls of paper being drawn by horses on a winter sled. Circa 1910-1920. Donated by Town of Champion. Great Bend, NY.