Goldsmith, New York facts for kids

Goldsmith is a small community, also called a hamlet, located in Franklin County, New York, United States. It's found within the Town of Franklin, about 30 miles (48 km) west of Plattsburgh. Today, Goldsmith is very quiet, almost like a ghost town, but it has a fascinating history.

Goldsmith: A Peek into History

Goldsmith wasn't always so quiet. Over a hundred years ago, it was a busy place full of life! It had many buildings and activities that made it an important community in the area.

What Was Goldsmith Like?

Imagine a town with a school where kids learned, a post office for sending letters, and even two hotels for travelers. There was also a large ballroom for dances and parties, plus many houses where families lived. It was a lively spot!

A big part of Goldsmith's early life was its sawmill. This mill was built along the North Branch of the Saranac River. A special wall, called a dam, was built across the river. This dam created a small lake or pond, which was used to power the sawmill. This pond stretched all the way up to a place called Slab Bridge.

The land around Goldsmith was first used for logging, meaning trees were cut down. After the trees were gone, people discovered the land was excellent for farming. Goldsmith was also one of the first villages in the Adirondack Mountains to have electricity, which was very modern for its time!

Some of the land in Goldsmith was given out by a person named Garret Smith. Some of this land went to people who had been enslaved but were now free. An early product made in Goldsmith was charcoal. This charcoal was important because it was used in nearby forges, which were places where metal was heated and shaped.

Why Did Goldsmith Change?

Goldsmith began to change in 1926. In that year, the dam that created the mill pond was destroyed. This meant the sawmill could no longer operate, and it had to close down.

Even after the mill closed, farming continued to be a strong activity in Goldsmith. During a time known as Prohibition (when making and selling alcohol was against the law), farmers in Goldsmith grew hops. Hops are plants used to make beer, but they can also be used for other things.

Today, only a few people live in Goldsmith all year round. Much of the land near Slab Bridge has been divided into smaller pieces, usually 1 or 2 acres (about 4,000 to 8,000 square meters) in size.

Goldsmith Today: Nature's Role

In recent years, a group called The Nature Conservancy has bought a lot of the land around Goldsmith. This organization works to protect important natural areas. Their involvement means that much of Goldsmith's beautiful natural environment will be preserved for the future.