North Country At Work

Cutting ice during Carthage, NY ice harvest. 1947. Carthage Ice Harvest Collection donated by Eleanor Query, whose father, Francis George Query, is pictured in many of the photos. Related story, here.

Loading ice blocks on a horse-drawn wagon. During Carthage, NY ice harvest. 1947. Carthage Ice Harvest Collection donated by Eleanor Query, whose father, Francis George Query, is pictured in many of the photos. Related story, here.

Moving ice blocks on a conveyor to load box cars during Carthage ice harvest. 1947. Carthage, NY. Carthage Ice Harvest Collection donated by Eleanor Query, whose father, Francis George Query, is pictured in many of the photos. Related story, here.

This aerial photo of Bagley and Sewall was taken by Leslie C. Cooke of Watertown. Circa 1930s or 1940s. Watertown, NY.

Molten metal being poured into molds at Bagley and Sewall, a machine manufacturing company based at Sewall’s Island in the Black River. Circa 1940s. Watertown, NY.

Building a concrete dam. Note wooden forms. 1910. Great Bend, NY.

Exterior of Jefferson Paper Mill on the Black River. This was a hydropower operation. Circa 1910. Black River, NY

Building the short dam over the north channel of the Black River, near where it empties into the Black River Bay of Lake Ontario. Circa 1910. Dexter, NY.

Open air trolley of the Black River Trolley company (BRT) on trestle bridge. February 23, 1906. Dexter, NY.

Boat being moved between upper and lower Black River, using log rollers to move it across roadway. Circa 1880s. Dexter, NY.