History of Watertown, New York, USA

In 1796 the veteran land surveyor, Benjamin Wright, laid out into townships and lots the entire Black river tract, or the eleven towns, comprising substantially all of great lots numbers five and six of the original Macomb purchase. Through various sales and transfers the title to the vast tract became vested (July 15, 1795) in Nicholas Low, William Henderson, Richard Harrison and Josiah Ogden Hoffman, who paid for the same one dollar per acre. After having thus acquired title the proprietors employed Benjamin Wright to make the survey and subdivision mentioned, and then (August 5, 1796) divided the townships among themselves by ballot, using the lands of Worth as “boot money” equivalent. On this division townships Nos. 2, 7 and 11, or the subsequently created towns of Watertown, Adams and Lowville, fell to Nicholas Low, under whom, through the agency of Silas Stow, M. S. Miller and I. W. Bostwick, acting in succession, the lands were disposed of to settlers. Wright’s survey showed an ...

Watertown, a city, capital of Jefferson co., N.Y., on the S. bank of the Black River, about 10 miles from its entrance into Lake Ontario and 70 miles (direct) NNW. of Utica, on the New York Central and Hudson River R. Several bridges here cross the river, the rapids of which afford abundant hydraulic power. The city is the seat of a state armory, of homes for the aged and orphans, etc., and has extensive manufactures of paper, wood-pulp, steam-engines, carriages and wagons, air-brakes, silk, foundry products, etc. Pop. in 1890, 14,725; in 1900 21,696.

Watertown, June 29. - A fire which broke out about 10:30 this evening among the boxes in the basement of the Cooperative store, a stock concern that occupies the ground floor of the Britton block in Arsenal street, caused damage to goods of many hundreds of dollars from smoke which the firemen pronounced about the worst they had ever had to combat. A child and several other dwellers in rooms on upper floors were rescued by the police.

The second floor is occupied by the rooms of the Machinists' union, while Mrs. J. D. Burtis, who came here recently from Antwerp where the family sustained a $1,000 loss by fire just before moving, rents the third and fourth floors, subletting apartments Mrs. Burtis, who is an invalid, was aided down the stairs by the police.

Detective Captain A. S. Wood learned that three-year-old Lena Reno, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eleanor Reno, who had gone out and left the child to be looked after by neighbors, was in a apartment on the fourth floor. Three...

(By International News Service).

Watertown, N.Y., June 2. - An enraged female bear, separated from its mate, killed its keeper here today when the man opened the cage door at the city zoo to feed it.

Loping up to the door when EMERSON E. JOYCE, 45, opened it to give the bear its first meal of the day, the animal struck the keeper in the head and dragged him into the cage.

JOYCE'S cry brought GROVER BRENON, superintendent of the zoo.
By this time, the bear was tossing the keeper around the cage. Two patrolmen succeeded in forcing the bear into a corner of the cage with long poles and carried JOYCE from the enclosure.

He was taken to the Mercy Hospital but doctors said that the first blow from the bear was fatal.

Thompson Park:

Enjoy the expansive Thompson Park, known for its beautiful landscapes, walking trails, and the iconic Thompson Park Zoo.

Thompson Park Zoo:

Visit the zoo within Thompson Park, featuring a variety of animals native to North America. It's a family-friendly attraction with educational programs.

Salmon Run Mall:

Shop and dine at the Salmon Run Mall, a popular shopping destination with a range of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Public Square:

Explore Watertown's historic Public Square, surrounded by charming shops, restaurants, and historic architecture. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll.

Jefferson County Historical Society:

Discover the local history of Jefferson County at the historical society. Exhibits and artifacts showcase the area's past, including its role in the War of 1812.

Sci-Tech Museum of Northern New York:

If you're interested in science and technology, check out this interactive museum with exhibits on...