19th century economic development — Iron pipes arrive on canal

The installation of a new water line in Glens Falls was about to get underway.

“The canal boat F.A. Johnson arrived with a cargo of iron pipe for the new water mains and the same is now being distributed along the upper portions of Glen Street, through Union Street and on the Dixon Road,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Aug. 20, 1890. “O.S. Potter, who has been engaged to superintend the laying of the new mains, informed a reporter yesterday that the work would be commenced in about two weeks.”

In other 19th century greater Glens Falls region economic development news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “An average of 1,000 pounds of cheese is now being manufactured weekly at the Moreau cheese factory,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 2, 1890.
• “The Morgan Lumber Company are now operating all but one of their kilns,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 4, 1890. “Three additional men were put to work on the company’s cooper shops this week.”
• “D.W. Sherman has decided to erect a new planning and shingle mill and sash and blind factory on the site of the structure destroyed by fire a few months ago,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 10, 1890.
• “Goldburg H. Pond, of this village (Glens Falls) has been granted a patent for a water locomotive,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 10, 1890.
• “There has been some talk within Glens Falls businessmen relative to the establishment of a boot and shoe manufactory in this town. Two Albany men, who have been in the business for several years, contemplate starting such an enterprise and they are looking favorably to this place,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 6, 1890. “It would not take much of the proper sort of encouragement to bring them here, and our businessmen should see to it that it is done.”
• “The new building on Maple Street, to be used as a feed and grain store by C.R. Mott, will soon be ready for occupancy,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 20, 1890
• It was the 19th century equivalent of limited broad band service.

“Glens Falls has no means of communication with the outside world for twelve hours out of twenty-four, except the telephone.” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 9, 1893. “That a town of 13,000 inhabitants should be without an all-night telegraphic service evidences a sad lack of enterprise. The company that will supply our needs in this regard ought to be compensated by a liberal patronage.”

• “The Glens Falls Gas Company will in a few days lay a four-inch gas main on Warren Street from the residency of Gordon Conkling to Fountain Square,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 9, 1893

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