The Emerson Sawmill, built by Dr. Harmon Hoffman about 1806 and rebuilt by Dudley Farlin in 1818, was located on the Schroon River next to what is now the Grist Mill Restaurant, downstream from the Osborne Bridge. It was a water-powered mill, commonly known as “an old English mill” type. At one time there were 70 "up-and-down" saws in the mill, powered at first by a water wheel, later with water turbines. Farlin sold to Nelson Warren in 1834. In 1855 the mill became part of the A. C. Emerson Company and was capable of sawing three million board-feet of lumber a year. Logs were floated down the Schroon River and hauled up a ramp into the mill. When it ceased operating in 1965, it was one of the last remaining water-powered sawmills in the country. The last owner was the Warrensburgh Historical Society which tried to save it. Due to lack of funding they were unsuccessful. The Town removed it in 1983 as it was collapsing into the river and threatening to destroy the Grist Mill Restaurant, adjacent. (See Warrensburgh Historical Society.)
This sawmill, one of the very last remaining water-powered mills was a gang-mill, containing seventy saws and four gates, the saws operating with an up-and-down motion. A shingle and lathe-mill was connected with the sawmill and the operation provided employment for approximately twenty to twenty-five men.
This sawmill, one of the very last remaining water-powered mills was a gang-mill, containing seventy saws and four gates, the saws operating with an up-and-down motion. A shingle and lathe-mill was connected with the sawmill and the operation provided employment for approximately twenty to twenty-five men.