History of Potsdam, New York, USA

1854 - Potsdam
Potsdam, a thriving post-village of Pots dam township, St. Lawrence county, New York, on Racket river, and on the route of the Potsdam and Watertown railroad, 11 miles E. N. E. from Canton. It contains several churches, a large academy, a bank, 2 newspaper offices, and extensive ironworks, machine shops, and mills. Population of the village estimated at 1500. Potsdam township is traversed by the Northern rail road. Population of the township, 5349.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1880 - The State Board of Education has offered the principalship of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti to Prof. M. MacVicar,
principal of the State Normal and training school at Potsdam, N. Y. He has accepted and will enter upon his duties about November 1.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 11, 1880

1889 - A CIRCUS TRAIN WRECKED. BARNUM & BAILEY LOSE VALUABLE TRAINED ANIMALS IN A RAILROAD SMASH-UP. THIRTY-THREE FINE HORSES KILLED.
TWO CAMELS AND A TRICK MULE ALSO PERISHED, AND THIRTY-SIX OTHER ANIMALS WERE INJURED - THE WRECK OCCURRED AT MIDNIGHT ON THE ROME, WATERTOWN AND OGDENSBURG ROAD - ESCAPE OF ATTENDANTS.

(Special To The World.)
Watertown, N.Y., Aug. 23. - Great excitement was caused in Northern New York towns this morning by the report that a section of Barnum & Bailey's circus train had been wrecked between Norwood and Potsdam, and that several employees and many animals had been killed. That part of the report relating to the killing of employees proved to be untrue, but the accident was bad enough. Barnum & Bailey gave their last exhibition in Gouvenour yesterday afternoon, and left there for Montreal early in the evening. Only one performance was given yesterday, in order to get through to Montreal in time to give two performances there today. The train carrying the great show was sent out in three sections. The first took the tents and the gilt-covered vans used to make up the usual street... Read MORE...

1895 - Potsdam
Potsdam, a post-village in Potsdam £ St. Lawrence co., N.Y., on the Racket River, and on the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad, 11 miles E.N.E. of Canton, and about 30 miles E. by S. of Ogdensburg. It has a bridge across the river, which here affords abundant 'water-power. It contains 7 churches, a state normal and training school, a national bank, a newspaper office, 2 ma chine-shops, a flouring-mill, several large saw-mills, and other manufactories. Here are quarries of Potsdam sand stone, a good material for building. It is of the Lower Silurian formation, and derives its name from this place. The township is traversed by the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, and contains the village of Norwood. Pop. of the village (1890), 3961; of the township, 8939.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Potsdam, a banking post- village in Potsdam township (town), St. Lawrence co., N.Y., on the Raquette River and on the New York Central and Hudson River R., 25 miles E. by S. of Ogdensburg. It has abundant water-power and manufactures of flour, clothing, paper, boats, butter, etc. The quarries of the so-called Potsdam sandstone afford a good material for building. The Clarkson Memorial School of Technology and a state normal school are located here. Pop. of the village in 1900, 3843 ; of the town, 9054.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Potsdam:
SUNY Potsdam:

Take a stroll through the campus of the State University of New York at Potsdam. The architecture is beautiful, and you might catch a campus event or performance.

The Crane School of Music:

If you appreciate music, visit The Crane School of Music, one of the oldest and most respected music schools in the country. Check their schedule for concerts and recitals.

Downtown Potsdam:

Explore the downtown area with its charming shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's a great place to pick up unique gifts or enjoy a leisurely meal.

Potsdam Public Museum:

Learn about the history of the region at the Potsdam Public Museum. It's a small but interesting collection that gives you a glimpse into the area's past.

Craigs Beach:

If you're visiting in the warmer months, Craigs Beach on the Raquette River is a lovely spot for picnics, swimming, and relaxation.

Bayside Cemetery:

It might sound unusual, but Bayside Cemetery is a peaceful and historically rich... Read MORE...