Electric Ave.
|
Electric Avenue
In 1921, after 90 years of ownership by the Burhans family, Charles Burhan sold it to Frank Smith. The original property was called the Tannery Tract, situated on the north side of the Schroon River. The 11 acre plot had a frontage of about two hundred yards, together with the lighting plant, saw mill and six dwelling houses. Currently the Warrensburgh Historical Society owns the property, thanks to a donation by Dick Emerson. They have plans to create a park, with paths and signage telling the history of the property.
Colonel Benjamin Peck Burhans was born near Rensselaerville, N. Y., on October 9, 1798. His parents were John C. and Clarissa Burhans. He received his education in Litchfield, CT. In 1827, he was Colonel of the Third Regiment, New York State Militia. Early in his career, he was employed by Palen and Company in Greene County, where he became a partner in 1831. In 1836 he moved to Warrensburgh and purchased controlling interest of H. J. Quackenbush in the leather manufacturing tannery. He was elected a member of the New York State Assembly in 1842, and was the Democratic nominee for Congress in 1862. By 1860 (with his son Frederick), the business became known as B.P. Burhans & Son. For many years, he was president of the Glens Falls National Bank. Instrumental in building the plank roads to Chester and Caldwell, he became President of the Lake George and Warrensburgh Turnpike Company. Upon his death on July 16, 1875, he was one of the wealthiest men in northern New York.
Smith Sawmill - John G. Smith leased the Burhans mill property in the spring of 1893. The sawmill was known to be procuring logs from 1893 through 1904, which included oak, black ash and other hardwoods, as well as doing custom sawing. After leasing the mill he rebuilt it and equipped it with all the necessary machinery for electric power generation which continued until 1898, when the electrical facilities were moved 200 yards downstream. (See Electric Light Works.)
In 1921, after 90 years of ownership by the Burhans family, Charles Burhan sold it to Frank Smith. The original property was called the Tannery Tract, situated on the north side of the Schroon River. The 11 acre plot had a frontage of about two hundred yards, together with the lighting plant, saw mill and six dwelling houses. Currently the Warrensburgh Historical Society owns the property, thanks to a donation by Dick Emerson. They have plans to create a park, with paths and signage telling the history of the property.
Colonel Benjamin Peck Burhans was born near Rensselaerville, N. Y., on October 9, 1798. His parents were John C. and Clarissa Burhans. He received his education in Litchfield, CT. In 1827, he was Colonel of the Third Regiment, New York State Militia. Early in his career, he was employed by Palen and Company in Greene County, where he became a partner in 1831. In 1836 he moved to Warrensburgh and purchased controlling interest of H. J. Quackenbush in the leather manufacturing tannery. He was elected a member of the New York State Assembly in 1842, and was the Democratic nominee for Congress in 1862. By 1860 (with his son Frederick), the business became known as B.P. Burhans & Son. For many years, he was president of the Glens Falls National Bank. Instrumental in building the plank roads to Chester and Caldwell, he became President of the Lake George and Warrensburgh Turnpike Company. Upon his death on July 16, 1875, he was one of the wealthiest men in northern New York.
Smith Sawmill - John G. Smith leased the Burhans mill property in the spring of 1893. The sawmill was known to be procuring logs from 1893 through 1904, which included oak, black ash and other hardwoods, as well as doing custom sawing. After leasing the mill he rebuilt it and equipped it with all the necessary machinery for electric power generation which continued until 1898, when the electrical facilities were moved 200 yards downstream. (See Electric Light Works.)