A Walk Through Time: A History of Watertown

Watertown, New York is a city surrounded by the natural beauty that is the North Country. The Adirondack Mountains, Tug Hill Plateau, the St. Lawrence and Black Rivers, along with Lake Ontario, make Watertown a wonderful place to live.

The founders of Watertown settled here because of the power of the Black River and its many waterfalls. Many industrial businesses harnessed the river for its waterpower. These businesses created products that gained national and worldwide acclaim.

This book tells the story of Watertown's birth and growth. It includes approximately 1,300 pictures, which provide a visual look at the people and businesses that nurtured that growth. Prominent citizens gave back to the city they loved with a library, a park, hospitals, churches, schools and many other contributions.

As you read, you will see how Watertown grew from a small agricultural village into an industrial powerhouse of the early twentieth century. You will meet the people who left a lasting legacy of architecture and recreation. You will see Watertown as it was and as it is now.

Growing up in Watertown, I was awed by Mr. Alex Duffy's (Mr. Watertown) stories and history of the city. He brought the past alive as he talked about the various businesses, parades, fairs and important visitors that were a part of Watertown's past. This eventually led me to reading newspaper clippings and various articles online of the history Mr. Duffy would talk about. With postcards and pictures, I had obtained over time, I decided to put together a small book on the city of my youth before urban renewal changed the landscape. It would commemorate the 150th anniversary of Watertown becoming a city.I am a retired business accountant with an A.A.S. degree in Accounting, an A.S. degree in Business Administration, as well as a B.S. in Business Administration. I have a strong interest in history where I am a former president and current vice president of the General Jacob Brown Historical Society and a member of the Jefferson County Historical Society. I have had two books of poetry published and have written a number of unpublished children's stories.My hope is that those who enjoy history, especially local history, will enjoy this book with approximately 1300 pictures of Watertown's fantastic history.