(bright music) - [Announcer] Major funding for "Discovering Jefferson County" is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the well-being of communities by helping children and families.

Online at dmjf.org.

(light music) The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, committed to helping people celebrate their community's history by providing grants for historic markers and plaques nationwide.

More about grant and partnership opportunities at wgpfoundation.org.

And by T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

Additional support provided by these sponsors, who believe in the educational and cultural mission of WPBS-TV.

(gentle music) (upbeat music) (bell ringing) - For you.

From my tree.

A healthy snack in exchange for the last leg of "Discovering Jefferson County" journey.

- I have something for you as well.

It will go well with those apples.

- What's this?

- A small piece of our bigger journey today.

Today, we talk about connection.

Roadways and waterways, and how it all brings agriculture and tourism front and center.

You ready?

- Ready!

- We've been talking about big projects that have made a big difference in Jefferson County, yes?

- Uh-huh.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] There was a fellow by the name of David Nelson who purchased a massive piece of land in a town called Theresa.

Massive as in 220,000 acres.

Originally named High Falls, the town of Theresa was first settled on January 4th, 1800 by Mr. Nelson, who purchased the land from the Antwerp Land Company.

By 1811, our friend James Le Ray constructed mills at High Falls.

But that's not all he did.

He brought in livestock, created the framework for a cemetery, and built a bridge across the falls.

Le Ray eventually changed the town name from High Falls to Theresa, in honor of his daughter of the same name.

A few short years later, Military Road was constructed to connect Theresa to open trade routes and improve travel for potential settlers.

- Well, it basically opened it up to the outside world.

Once you had a road coming through, there weren't the roads we see now.

Route 37, Route 81, things like that, so everybody had to come through Theresa.

I mean, before you're going through the woods to get in to here.

Now you had a means to come in here, and you also saw the potential as you're traveling through.

"Hey, I'm gonna settle down here, "I'm gonna start a business.

Let me get involved."

- [Narrator] Like most early towns, Theresa was no stranger to devastating fires.

The one folks remember most is the Great Fire of 1890.

It originated at a local grocery and clothing store owned by Frank Peck.

Some say it was Peck who sparked the flames.

Perhaps because earlier that night, the local Sheriff visited, ready to shut him down due to unpaid judgements.

- [Timothy S. Minnick] It started in Frank Peck's store.

The Sheriff Bynum came to repossess the store at six o'clock at night.

Got the keys, it was a long way back to Watertown, so he stayed at the Getman House.

Eleven o'clock at night, Frank Peck's store is on fire, and he, according to all the newspaper accounts, got the books out of the store and... (dramatic music) it's suspicious to say the least.

- [Narrator] The fire tore through downtown quickly, burning a total of 43 business and homes.

Despite the suspicion, Peck was never formally charged with arson.

You can find more information on this historic tidbit at the historical society in Theresa, or at the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown.

The library was named after the 30th Governor of the State of New York, Roswell P. Flower, who was born in Theresa in 1835.

He served as a Democrat in the 47th, 51st, and 52nd United States Congress from 1881 to 1883 and again from 1889 to 1891.

The Flower Memorial Library in Watertown was built in 1903 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

You can catch a glimpse of Flower just a few yards away from the library on Washington Street.

A statue of our hero, sculpted by Augustus Saint Gaudens in 1902, can be seen with his right hand held high.

- I think you deserve a statue, Wilbur.

You are a wealth of information.

Are you from Jefferson County?

- I sure am.

I hail from a town called Philadelphia.

And I don't mean Pennsylvania, either.

Although there's a tie, and I'll get to that.

My little town was once known as Friends Settlement.

It was established in 1821 nigh of the portion of the Town of Le Ray and it was officially incorporated in 1872.

I've had roots here since.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] Three eager Quakers by the name of Cadwalader Child, Joseph Moon, and his son, James Moon visited the area after talking with Jacob Brown, who praised the region's fertile lands and fresh water.

When the trio returned to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, they encouraged friends and family to move north to the area.

Before it was called Friends Settlement, it was known as Quaker Settlement.

The Quakers were farmers, so it was a good fit because dairy farming was a predominant industry in Jefferson County.

- Dairy farming was one of the main reasons they came up here.

When they were looking for land, they wanted land that they could grow crops on, but also to keep a livestock.

So, it was huge, because cheese was huge in this area.

Cheese in the day, you couldn't package it and ship it too far, so you'd have to ship it around the area.

So, there were dairy farms everywhere, 'cause everybody needed fresh milk, everybody needed their cheeses.

So it was huge in this area.

- This is River Rat Cheese, made locally.

Jefferson County still has plenty of dairy farmers, but they struggle.

So locally, we try to help them out by buying their products.

- Sounds like Jefferson County flourished in the 1900s and was the place to be at the turn of the century.

- Ho ho, it was the place to be, all right.

But it had its struggles, too.

Especially during the Great Depression and World War II.

- Narrator] Yes, the railroads brought tourists and wealthy summer residents to the 1000 Islands.

And yes, the Great Lakes and waterways like the Erie Canal and the Black River Canal brought goods in and out of the area.

And all the while agriculture and industry prospered.

But by the 1920s, things began to slow down.

The advent of the motor vehicle changed travel plans significantly, and less trains made their way to the 1000 Islands.

But the long drive stopped people, too.

The economy slowed.

Then, in 1929, the stock market crashed, and the Great Depression began.

(dramatic music) Despite the financial strife, construction in Jefferson County continued.

A massive bridge called The Thousand Islands International Bridge was part of that construction.

The bridge connects Northern New York to Eastern Ontario, Canada.

The 8.5-mile-long structure is a series of seven bridges across the St. Lawrence River, extending from Collins Landing near Alexandria Bay, New York, to Ivy Lea near Gananoque, Ontario.

Construction began in May of 1937 and took 16 months to complete.

The total cost of building the massive bridge?

$3 million dollars.

The following August, dedication ceremonies were held, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, officially opened the bridges to the 25,000 people in attendance.

In its infancy, traffic was estimated at 150,000 vehicles crossing each year.

Today, the number of vehicles that cross annually is over 2 million.

- I've been over that bridge, it has amazing views!

And as we were going over it, a massive ship was passing under it.

It must be complicated for them to navigate the river.

- It was.

Once upon a time.

But since the advent of the St. Lawrence Seaway with its system of locks and canals, it's much easier for captain and crew.

(light music) - [Narrator] The years following World War II brought a huge wave of prosperity to North America.

Product demand and the baby boom unleashed a torrent of spending.

Manufacturing and industry was at an all-time high.

An abundant source of hydroelectric power was needed in New York and Ontario, along with a way to easily and effectively transport raw materials and other goods from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

The St. Lawrence River was targeted to fulfill those needs.

Begun in 1954, The St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project was a two-fold venture.

Three dams and two powerhouses, including the Moses Saunders Power Dam near Massena, were built to provide Ontario and New York with much needed low-cost hydroelectric power.

Next, a continuous waterway was created to accommodate large ships.

This involved deepening navigation channels, removing rapids, and constructing a series of locks that would raise or lower ships a total of 246 feet along the 183-mile stretch of the River, from Montreal to Lake Ontario.

It also involved the permanent submersion of 9 communities along its shoreline.

In all, approximately 6,500 people were displaced by the project.

Five buildings were moved, and countless homes, farms, schools, and businesses demolished.

The communities affected are known as the Lost Villages.

All told, the project took five years to complete.

The Seaway opened in 1959 at a cost of $470 million, paid for by both Canada and the United States.

The Saint Lawrence River plays a vital role in not only the economy, but in the everyday life of the residents of the Thousand Islands.

The local organization, Save the River, is dedicated to restore, preserve, and protect the ecological integrity of the Upper Saint Lawrence River through advocacy, education, and research.

The organization was founded in part by a man who went by the name of Barry Freed.

Freed was a political and social activist whose birth name is Abbie Hoffman.

A man not afraid to make a little noise, Freed hid from law enforcement on Wellesley Island in the mid 70s after jumping bail in 1974 for trying to sell cocaine.

(upbeat music) After the construction of the 1000 Islands Bridge, officials realized there was no easy way to get there.

Enter a highway plan that would change all that.

New York state's Route 2, constructed in 1924, evolved from a series of trails used by migrating animals, indigenous peoples, and settlers, along with troop movement during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

Route 2 was replaced by U.S. Route 11 in 1927.

Most people were using the single lane roadway to travel from Binghamton or Syracuse to Watertown, then hopping on other backroads to reach the 1000 Islands Bridge.

A better, more efficient roadway was needed to handle the ever-increasing traffic.

Construction began on Interstate 81 in Maryland around 1954.

The New York state portion was completed by 1968.

Most of the Interstate was completed and opened by 1974.

Interstate 81 stretches nearly 855 miles from Dandridge, in Jefferson County, Tennessee, to Wellesley Island in Jefferson County, New York.

The route is sometimes referred to as the Capital Corridor, because, along with Canada's 401, it links Washington, D.C. with Ottawa, Canada's capital.

- It must have been difficult moving commercial goods on a one-lane roadway.

Or even visiting relatives.

I can only image how congested Route 11 was.

- And still is today.

(laughs) - What about the airport?

If Route 81 didn't come along until 1968, when did the airport arrive?

- The airport arrived early in Jefferson County, before the construction of the highway.

And it was quite the busy place.

(plane engine roaring) - [Narrator] The City of Watertown bought land near Dexter in 1928 for construction of the airport.

Contractors worked fast, and the facility was ready in 1929.

Airplanes provided by FH Taylor Incorporated carried approximately 8,000 passengers that year.

During the war years, the U.S. Army used the airfield and paved runways were installed.

The city of Watertown did the best they could with the resources available, but the airport needed resources to move forward.

Jefferson County took over ownership of the airport in 2006.

The county maximized grant funding to the extent possible and used a separate fund from property taxes to pay for local shares.

The airport went through various upgrades and infrastructure developments from 2006 to 2015 totaling over $25 million.

This included two 1,000-foot runway expansions, terminal expansion, land acquisition and obstruction removal.

Additionally, in 2015, a new General Aviation Business Center terminal dedicated to Mary Cooper Eaton Cox, a Womens Airforce Services Pilot, was commissioned.

By utilizing grant funds, all of the developments were done debt free.

Fixed Base Operator and incorporated fuel sales, line services, and hangar rentals all contribute toward the operational cost of the airport.

Today, the Watertown International Airport handles about 40,000 passengers a year and is served by American Airlines, has over 35 based aircraft, and services many numerous private and corporate visitors.

- So is tourism the number one industry here, then?

- Tourism is big, no doubt.

But agriculture is the number one industry in Jefferson County.

And it's not just all corn and cows.

This is the biggest.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] Dairy farming is the County's biggest form of agriculture, and the region's 275,800 cows produce close to six billion pounds of milk annually in Jefferson County alone.

Local processors create foods from specialty cheeses to honey and sauces.

Held every July, the annual Jefferson County Fair celebrates the county's long-standing commitment to agriculture.

The fair is the longest continuously operating county fair in the United States, the first cattle show and fair held in 1818.

The Society's President, James Le Ray de Chaumont opened the fair with a speech that emphasized the objective of the society was to encourage every branch of agriculture.

Although devoted primarily to showcasing farmers and farm organizations in the county, today's Fair includes rides, games, and commercial enterprises.

(upbeat country music) Because the climate of the 1000 Islands has proven ideal for the growing of grapes, lots of wineries along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario have come to life, as well as distilleries and micro-brewers, and they make their appearance at the fair as well.

(bright music) The county's second biggest industry is tourism, thanks to various waterways including Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The county has hundreds of hotels, motels, and campgrounds that overflow with tourists every summer.

But it's not just the water that attracts visitors.

(bright music) Jefferson County is home to over 15 state parks where folks can camp, hike, picnic, and swim.

Wellesley Island State Park features an 18-hole golf course and the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center.

The center provides educational and recreational programs for all ages.

It includes educational displays, varied habitats such as wooded wetlands, three miles of shoreline, and miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Along the trail are picnic tables and a seasonal butterfly house.

At Rock Island Lighthouse State Park, where our friend the Pirate was once keeper, visitors can climb to the top and enjoy the scenic view of the St. Lawrence River.

Robert Wehle State Park's cliffside location boasts over 17,000 feet of spectacular Lake Ontario shoreline with over 10 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Other parks, like Canoe Point, Waterson, and Mary Island State Parks, are accessible by boat only.

- Well, that gives me a darn good reason to get a boat!

There's so much to appreciate about Jefferson County.

Lots to do, no matter the season.

Speaking of seasons, I understand you folks get a lot of show here.

- (laughs) We do because of a phenomenon called Lake effect snow.

Lake effect occurs when cold, arctic air passes over much warmer Lake Ontario.

Some of the lake water evaporates into the air and then dumps back to the ground as snow.

Residents love it.

(light music) - [Narrator] The popularity of winter activities like ice fishing has turned the 1000 Islands into a year-round resort area.

Ice shanties dot the waterways, and fishing derbies give determined anglers a chance to compete for their favorite species.

Wellesley Island State Park has over 9 miles of cross-country ski trails.

Other popular winter activities include snowmobiling.

And every February, the Polar Bear Dip attracts hundreds of brave souls willing to jump into the frigid St. Lawrence River to raise funds for the local hospital.

- I'm sorry, did you say people jump into ice water to raise money?

In the winter?

(man laughs) I don't know about the Polar Bear Dip, but I'd try downhill skiing.

That looks like fun!

- Oh, it sure is.

There's just so much to do and see in Jefferson County year-round.

The county certainly has changed from its early days, for sure.

(light music) - [Narrator] Let's remember that Jefferson County has a history as the center for innovation and industry.

A few more innovators of note bring our history full circle.

In the early 1800s, a blacksmith by the name of James Liddy invented the box spring, making sleep more comfortable for people everywhere.

The story goes that as Liddy was waiting for his wife to finish shopping, he had the idea to adapt the box spring from his wagon seat into a support for his bed mattress.

Now that you know that and you'll sleep better tonight, let's not forget the founder of one of the biggest five and dime stores in the area that likely sold those mattresses.

Born in Rodman, New York, Frank W. Woolworth was the founder of F. W. Woolworth and Co.

The Woolworth store in Watertown opened to consumers in 1916.

Today the original building in Public Square is home to several ground floor businesses and upper apartments.

We know that mills were a huge part of Jefferson County's evolving economy.

La Fargeville, New York, for an example, in the town of Orleans, was once known as Log Mills.

The area was originally developed in 1788 after a treaty with the Oneida Nation ceded a 10-mile square tract to Peter Penet for services rendered.

Penet named the land Penet Square, but eventually sold the tract.

It passed through many owners before the deed fell into the hands of John Frederick La Farge, a French immigrant living in New Orleans, sometime between 1817 and 1823.

Around 1830, John LaFarge built a large mansion constructed with blue limestone.

The property was sold to a bishop in 1838, and the mansion became the first location of St. John's College.

After two years, the college moved to New York City and became part of Fordham University.

The town's first settlement was most likely Stone Mills, originally Collins' Mills.

There, a saw mill was built in 1850 by the Watertown Steam Engine Company.

Today, the Stone Mills Museum, located outside of LaFargeville, includes the remains of the sawmill, an old school house, the Stone Mills Union Church constructed in 1837, and extensive exhibits celebrating rural life in the north country during the past century.

Located on Route 180 in the Town of Orleans, the historic structures are maintained by the Northern New York Agricultural Historical Society.

Other 19th century mills included The Knowlton Brothers Paper Mill, The Watertown Steam Engine Company, The Bagley and Sewall Company, the J.B.

Wise Company, the Henry H. Babcock Carriage Company, the Watertown Carriage Company, and the Davis Sewing Machine Company.

Brian Taggart, President of the Taggart Paper Mill, invented the paper bag during the Civil War, when there was a shortage of cotton for flour bags.

(bright music) Today, Jefferson County continues its proud tradition of quality manufacturing.

It's home to several major industries.

Dairy plants like Great Lakes Cheese in Adams and H.P.

Hood in Lafargeville process millions of gallons of milk each year, creating pasteurized milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, many varieties of cheese and other dairy products.

Those products are shipped all over the country.

And you know that little green tree-shaped air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror of your car?

Car Freshner, the company that makes them, is right here in Jefferson County.

Timeless Frames?

The company that makes picture frames for clients like Walmart.

And let's not leave out Current Applications down the road in Watertown, they manufacture electric motors that are used all over the world.

This county cemented its commitment to industry with the creation of the Jefferson County Industrial Park, the Jefferson County Corporate Park, the Business Complex at the Watertown International Airport, and several other centers for business.

We already know that logging and papermaking were plentiful in the early days.

At one point, a total of 44 mills and logging operations were scattered along the Black River.

Two natural attributes contributed to their numbers: hydropower and trees.

Jefferson County had both.

These mills and logging operations employed thousands back in the day.

Over the years, diminished forests, distance from markets, - [Woman] environmental concerns, global competition, and other factors led to their demise.

Today, only a handful of paper mills remain.

But the remnants of those torn down remind us of yesteryear, and of all the wonderful things still left to discover in Jefferson County.

- Wow.

You are a wealth of information.

- I know!

They should erect a statue of me.

- She taught me everything I know.

Here you go, my friend.

Enjoy.

- Josiah Allen's Wife?

- Your mother will appreciate it.

Trust me.

- (laughs) Okay.

- Thank you very much for the purchase.

- You're welcome.

- Okay, great, all right.

- Thank you very much.

- Next customer, please.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- Ah, the hundred year old decoy, wonderful.

- It is gorgeous.

- Yes, it's very nice.

We have more over here to look at, too, if you're interested, yes.

- Is there like a discount if I buy two of them?

- Well, certainly, yes, yes.

(bright music) - [Announcer] Major funding for "Discovering Jefferson County" is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the well-being of communities by helping disadvantaged children and families.

Online at dmjf.org.

(light music) The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, committed to helping people celebrate their community's history by providing grants for historic markers and plaques nationwide.

More about grant and partnership opportunities at wgpfoundation.org.

And by T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

Additional support provided by these sponsors, who believe in the educational and cultural mission of WPBS-TV.

(light music) (bright music) (upbeat music)