Marion River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marion River |
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Location of the mouth of the Marion River
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Hamilton |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Blue Mountain Lake Blue Mountain Lake (hamlet) 1,790 ft (550 m) 43°51′40″N 74°27′29″W / 43.86111°N 74.45806°W |
| River mouth | Raquette Lake Raquette Lake (hamlet) 1,763 ft (537 m) 43°49′51″N 74°36′47″W / 43.83083°N 74.61306°W |
| Length | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 33.4 sq mi (87 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Marion River is a short but important river in New York State. It's about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long. This river connects several beautiful lakes in the central Adirondacks. It links Blue Mountain Lake to Raquette Lake. It does this by flowing through Utowana Lake and Eagle Lake. New York State has even called the Marion River a "Scenic River." This means it's a very special and beautiful waterway.
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The Marion River Carry
The Marion River has some fast-moving water called rapids. Because of these rapids, boats couldn't travel the whole way. So, people had to carry their boats and goods around this tricky part. This path for carrying things is called a portage. The portage around the Marion River rapids was known as the Marion River Carry.
The Shortest Railroad
Later, a dam was built that raised the river's water level. This made the carry shorter. Then, in 1900, something really cool was built: the Marion River Carry Railroad. This railroad was only about 1,320 yards (1,207 meters) long. That made it the shortest standard-gauge railroad line in the entire United States! It helped people and goods move easily between the lakes.
You can see a detailed, moving model of this unique railroad. It's at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.
History of the Marion River
The Marion River played a big part in how the central Adirondacks grew. In the 1870s, Thomas Clark Durant bought land around Blue Mountain Lake and Raquette Lake. He was famous for building the Union Pacific Railroad. His son, William West Durant, and other family members built hotels and large vacation homes called "great camps" on these lakes.
In 1879, W.W. Durant built a dam on the river. This dam helped steamboats travel almost the entire length of the Marion River. It also powered a sawmill. The Marion River Carry Railroad then started running in 1900 and operated until 1929.
Saving a Piece of History
The Marion River Carry Railroad was special because it connected steamboat routes on both ends. It didn't connect to other railway lines. In 1947, people worked hard to save one of the steam locomotives from this railroad. Their efforts led to the creation of the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. You can still see that very engine at the museum today!
