Photo of Original High School in
Alexandria Bay, stood in lot -now
used for parking near Legion
Building.
This photo was taken in 1898
Alexandria Bay, stood in lot -now
used for parking near Legion
Building.
This photo was taken in 1898
The First Bank in
Alexandria Bay
1889
Alexandria Bay
1889
Our Community and Its Background from material collected and rewritten
by: Ruby Aiken and Erma Schell
Authenticized by Miss Faith Common, Former Jefferson County Historian and Curator of Jefferson
County, Historical Museum
by: Ruby Aiken and Erma Schell
Authenticized by Miss Faith Common, Former Jefferson County Historian and Curator of Jefferson
County, Historical Museum
The Growth of Alexandria Bay
The first tavern was located where the A.C. Cornwall Office is located. The first log house was erected by John W.
Fuller in 1818 at the corner of James and Market Street. The first store stood at Crossman Point and was erected
by John Fuller and Jerre Carrier. The lumber business was the most important occupation of the people. A custom
house was established in 1828. It was not until 1848 that the wealth of the river as a beauty spot and recreational
purposes was recognized. Charles Crossman recognized this and provided the Crossman House for vacationists.
The building was rebuilt and in-larged several times before becoming the hotel that it is today. The early tourist
came by steamboat or by stagecoach. Many outstanding people have spent vacations here. Entertainments were
provided which drew people from great distance. Business increased so fast that an offer was made to give land to
anyone who would build a first class hotel. The offer was accepted by a man who built the Thousand Islands House
at a cost of $100,000. This was a very elaborate building and was visited by Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie and
other famous people. It has since been torn down.
It was in the same year that the Crossman house was started, that the construction of the reformed Church
was started. Rev. George W. Bethune visited Alexandria Bay and was disappointed to find that there no church in
the community. He sent Rev. Davenport of New York City here to preach. Crowds were too large for any building at
that time for any building so plans were made for construction of the building which was finished in 1851.
First Library
The first library was formed in Alexandria Bay in 1877 by Dr. Holland. He was editor of Scribner's Magazine and
had a large collection of books which he gave. It was located where convention hall now is and was called the
young Men's Library Association. Fire destroyed everything in 1894. A group of interested people began raising
money for a new library. Generous gifts were made by the residents of the islands and tourists. The present
building was finished in 1896.
The first tavern was located where the A.C. Cornwall Office is located. The first log house was erected by John W.
Fuller in 1818 at the corner of James and Market Street. The first store stood at Crossman Point and was erected
by John Fuller and Jerre Carrier. The lumber business was the most important occupation of the people. A custom
house was established in 1828. It was not until 1848 that the wealth of the river as a beauty spot and recreational
purposes was recognized. Charles Crossman recognized this and provided the Crossman House for vacationists.
The building was rebuilt and in-larged several times before becoming the hotel that it is today. The early tourist
came by steamboat or by stagecoach. Many outstanding people have spent vacations here. Entertainments were
provided which drew people from great distance. Business increased so fast that an offer was made to give land to
anyone who would build a first class hotel. The offer was accepted by a man who built the Thousand Islands House
at a cost of $100,000. This was a very elaborate building and was visited by Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie and
other famous people. It has since been torn down.
It was in the same year that the Crossman house was started, that the construction of the reformed Church
was started. Rev. George W. Bethune visited Alexandria Bay and was disappointed to find that there no church in
the community. He sent Rev. Davenport of New York City here to preach. Crowds were too large for any building at
that time for any building so plans were made for construction of the building which was finished in 1851.
First Library
The first library was formed in Alexandria Bay in 1877 by Dr. Holland. He was editor of Scribner's Magazine and
had a large collection of books which he gave. It was located where convention hall now is and was called the
young Men's Library Association. Fire destroyed everything in 1894. A group of interested people began raising
money for a new library. Generous gifts were made by the residents of the islands and tourists. The present
building was finished in 1896.