North Country At Work

A guideboat in the making in Woodward Boat Shop. Saranac Lake, NY. March 18, 2009. Photo courtesy of Chris Woodward.

Cranker’s Machine Shop on Mill Point. Cranker was a gunsmith and a toolmaker. He also made motors, and put the motor into the first fire boat in town. The shop closed in the 1960s. Circa 1940. Alexandria Bay, NY. Courtesy of the Alexandria Township Historical Society.

Robert Cranker holding a rifle inside the Cranker Machine Shop. Cranker was a gunsmith, toolmaker, and was said to have put the motor into the first fire boat in town. Date circa 1930s. Alexandria Bay, NY. Courtesy of John Peach.

Scene from the rescue of Blake Alois and Madison Popolizio on Algonquin Peak. December 2013. North Elba, NY. Photo courtesy of NY DEC.

A forest ranger’s search and rescue tools, which include a litter to carry an injured person, helicopter gear such as a helmet, a tote of warm-weather clothing, skis and a variety of boots. 2018. North Elba, NY. Photo by Andy Flynn.

The Tupper Lake High School under reconstruction to remove leaking towers. The school is located on Chaney Ave. 1955. Tupper Lake, NY. Photo courtesy of the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library.

Lines for gathering sap at Sacred Roots Maple, a maple business founded by Ben & Ashley Clark in 2016. In the photo, Ben is repairing lines that were damaged by squirrels. 2017. West Chazy, NY. Courtesy of Ben & Ashley Clark.

Gunsmith Brian MacDougall working on a rifle in his shop. 2017. Colton, NY. Photo courtesy of Brian MacDougall.

David R. Nichols cutting inlay pieces for a custom guitar. According to Greg Kie, Nichols has worked on guitars for BB King, Johnny Cash, ZZ Top, and Aerosmith. At one time, he was the only craftsman doing inlay work for the Martin Guitar Company. He’s something of a North Country legend, and a 1963 SUNY […]

Contractors replacing the roof of the building that is believed to have been the original Wanakena Post Office. 2010. Wanakena, NY. Photo courtesy of Allen Ditch.