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 Newcomb’s
diverse history began with Indians, Loggers, Miners and even
includes Theodore Roosevelt becoming President of the United
States.
According to Indian legend, this region was
previously occupied in Colonial times by two tribes of Indians.
The Algonquin Nation & the powerful Iroqois. Many artifacts
were discovered in the area and although the Indians fished
& hunted in Newcomb, there is no known evidence that they
lived here during the harsh winters.
Newcomb itself was established March 15, 1828
in the "Center of the Adirondack Wilderness", and
is surrounded by unspoiled lakes and majestic views of the
High Peaks. Our elevation is 1,500 feet and the major peaks
range from 3,000 to 5,344 feet above sea level.
Logging was a large part of our history. Many
of the French Canadians who came to work for the logging companies
have remained to this day. Farmers of the area also worked
for the logging companies in the winter to help support their
families.
Finch & Pruyn has been an important part
of our logging history. They moved their company from Canada
to Newcomb in 1928. The farm was used to supply their various
logging camps.
Archibald McIntyre sent his son John, and Duncan
McMartin, to search for silver in the Adirondack Mountains.
According to legend a young Indian led them to the site where
they found large quantities of iron ore on the outskirts of
Newcomb Village. They formed the Adirondack Iron & Steel
Company. Some of the buildings as well as the blast furnace
are still on the site.
Later, the Adirondack Steel Company mine was
sold to The National Lead Company who discovered titanium
in the area, which was used for paints during the Second World
War. The property and developed titanium site is Previously
owned by NL Industries. In 2003 the property was purchased
by the Open Space Institute
In 1963, The National Lead Company moved the
entire Village of Tahawus to the Winebrook area in Newcomb,
so they could expand their mining operations. Many of the
employees retired and live in Newcomb. In 1990 the Mine closed
due to economics.
During the depression the Civilian Conservation
Corp., Camp S-129 housed over 200 young men in Company 1297
in Newcomb. We can thank the men in the CCC’s for many
of our trails and roads we enjoy and use today. They were
also responsible for planting many trees.
Archer & Anna Huntington donated their 15,000
acre Adirondack estate to the State University of New York
/ Environmental Science and Forestry in 1932, to be used for
research and education. Huntington & Arbutus Lodges, once
joined as an original Durant Adirondack Camp, served as the
Huntington’s summer camp and retreat. The Adirondack
Ecological Center was established in 1972 on the Huntington
Wildlife Forest to provide the scientific community and the
people of New York with a greater understanding of the Adirondack
ecosystem through research.
Teddy Roosevelt spent many vacations as a young
lad in the Adirondacks. While staying at the Tahawus Club,
located in the township of Newcomb, and hunting on Mount Marcy,
Guide Harrison Hall climbed Mount Marcy to inform TR that
President McKinley was near death. Enroute from Tahawus to
the North Creek train station, TR became President of the
United States, upon the death of McKinley. A Memorial Plaque,
on Route 28N, marks the site of this event.
Camp Santanoni was
visited by Teddy Roosevelt many times. This 12,500 acre Great
Camp from the late 1800’s, open year round, is being
restored and many of the buildings such as the main lodge,
kitchen and studio are still there to see. The farm complex:
the barn, creamery, smoke house and worker’s homes are
also being restored. The distinctive gatehouse of stone and
wood greets you as you start your hike, bike or ride in on
horse drawn wagons to the main house of the Great Camp.
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