19th century Johnsburg — Strong tourism and good fishing

A robust tourism season was shaping up at Johnsburg in 1890.

“Adirondack hotel keepers say that never before in the history of the world has there been so many visitors at this time,” the Johnsburg correspondent reported in The Morning Star of Glens Falls on May 13, 1890.

The fishing at North Creek was said to be the best in a century.

“Large parties of fishermen are going there daily and taking various routes into the woods.”

In other 19th century Johnsburg news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• Isaac Kenwill of Johnsburg was appointed state game protector, succeeding Seymour Armstrong, also of Johnsburg, The Morning Star reported on April 14, 1890.
• This doctor made hometown calls.

“Dr. Thomson, of Glens Falls, was called here to attend Horace Hack, who has been sick for a number of weeks,” The Johnsburg correspondent reported in The Morning Star on April 17, 1890. The doctor is pretty popular here, this being his boyhood home.”

• Albert Manning, owner and operator of garnet mines on Oven Mountain, was contemplating establishing a finishing mill at or near North Creek, The Morning Star reported on May 26, 1890.

A scarf pin crafted from a piece of garnet mined there was valued at $100 — the equivalent of $3,306 in 2023 dollars.

“The garnet obtained in that section is reported to be the most valuable of any in this country.”

• Joe Pasco of Wevertown began a stage run between Johnsburg Corners and Glens Falls, The Morning Star reported on May 30.
• Circuit-riding butcher L.O. Bruno of Wevertown brought his meat cart to North Creek, The Morning Star reported on June 29, 1890.

“We are glad to see him,” the North Creek correspondent reported.

Click here to read the most recent previous 19th century Johnsburg history post.