19th Century Ti — Infrastructure and industry

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about news reported in 19th century weekly issues of the Ticonderoga Sentinel.

“A nice plank sidewalk in being laid on Lake George Avenue, extending from Exchange Street to the cotton factory,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 7, 1874. “Of course there is great rejoicing among the factory girls.”

Work at the cotton factory had been temporarily halted for repair of “a little mishap (that) occurred to the water wheel.”

There was an optimistic outlook for industry in Old Ti.

“Two well known capitalists from Burlington were in town Thursday. It means business.”

Construction of the New York and Canada Railroad tunnel near Fort Ticonderoga had recently been completed, and there were rumors of a new horse-drawn vehicle and pedestrian bridge in downtown.

“A stone bridge over the creek at Frazier & Malcomb’s is talked of.”

Construction continued on the new Delano & Ives block.

“Some of the stone now being laid in the foundations of DeLano & Ives new block are from the old breastworks of Mount Hope, thrown up by Gen. Burgoyne’s army, July 1777.”

DeLano & Ives had just shipped furniture to Port Jervis, N.Y. to furnish the new Episcopalian church, and the DeLano & Ives sash factory was running full time.

New “quite stately” blinds were installed at the Central House.

Despite an abundance of work there was still time for fishing.

“Some of our fishermen have been up to Lake George interviewing the fishes. In three days time they bobbed from under the ice two barrels full of fine perch.”

Jonathan Breed, the oldest man in Crown Point, was glad to see another spring.

“Though 90 winters have passed over his head, he is hale and hearty and is able to do a full week’s work.”

The Congregational Church raised $54 — the equivalent of $1,222 in 2020 dollars — at a sugar party and festival.

“The refreshments were served up in a pleasing manner by the ladies.”

The temperance movement was strong, even on St. Patrick’s Day.

“Tuesday evening March 17th the annual St. Patrick anniversary supper will be held at the Good Templar’s Hall. There will also be a lecture on temperance.”

Admission was $2 to benefit St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

To the north: “On Saturday considerable excitement was occasioned at Plattsburgh, N.Y., by the organization of a woman’s praying band who formed themselves into squads and visited several liquor shops in town, praying the dealers to desist in selling, and with some good effects.”

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.