National Register Listings in
Jefferson County, New York

Abingdon and New Abingdon Apartments Adams Commercial Historic District Anthony, Levi, Building Archer, William, House Aubertine Building Bates, Cyrus, House Bedford Creek Bridge Benton, Dr. Abner, House Boldt, George C., Yacht House Borland, John, House Broadway Historic District Brown, Gen. Jacob, Mansion Brownville Hotel Buckley, James, House Burnham, E. K., House Buttermilk Flat Schoolhouse No. 22 Camp, Elisha, House Carter Street Schoolhouse No. 21 Cedar Grove Cemetery Central Garage Chaumont Grange Hall and Dairymen's League Building Chaumont Historic District Chaumont House Chaumont Railroad Station Chevalier, Xavier, House Church of Saint Lawrence Clayton Historic District Clayton Historic District (Boundary Increase) Cocaigne, Nicholas, House Conklin Farm Cornwall Brothers' Store Densmore Methodist Church of the Thousand Islands Dexter Universalist Church Dezengremel, Remy, House District School No. 19 District School No. 20 District School No. 3 Docteur, Joseph, House Duvillard Mill Dyer, Reuter, House East Charity Shoal Light East Hounsfield Christian Church Emerson Place Evans-Gaige-Dillenback House Fairview Manor First Baptist Church and Cook Memorial Building First Presbyterian Society of Cape Vincent Flower, Roswell P., Memorial Library Ford, Charles, House Galband du Fort, Jean Philippe, House Galloo Island Light George Brothers Building George House Getman Farmhouse Glen Building Grenadier Island Schoolhouse Grindstone Island Upper Schoolhouse Guthrie, Dr. Samuel, House Holland Library Horr, Elijah, House Hubbard, Hiram, House Ingleside Irwin Brothers Store Jefferson County Courthouse Complex Johnson House Johnston, Capt. Simon, House La Farge Land Office La Farge Retainer Houses La Fargeville United Methodist Church Lance Farm LeRay Hotel LeRay Mansion LeRay, Vincent, House Lewis House Longue Vue Island Losee, John, House Madison Barracks Methodist Episcopal Church Methodist-Protestant Church at Fisher's Landing Newton, A., Farm Norton-Burnham House Paddock Arcade Paddock Mansion Peugnet, Captain Louis, House Pierrepont Manor Complex Point Salubrious Historic District Public Square Historic District Public Square Historic District (Boundary Increase) Ressequie Farm Reynolds, George, House Robinson, George T., House Rock Island Light Station Rogers Brothers Farmstead Rottiers, John N., Farm Row, The Roxy Hotel Sacket, Cornelius, House Sacket, General, House Sackets Harbor Battlefield Sackets Harbor Village Historic District Saint Paul's Episcopal Church Shore Farm Simmons, Stephen, House Smith-Ripley House St. John's Episcopal Church St. Paul's Church St. Paul's Episcopal St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church Star Grange No. 9 Starkey, Otis, House State Street Historic District Stevenson-Frink Farm Stone Mills Union Church Stone Shop, Old Strough, Byron J., House Sulphur Springs Cemetery Taft House Taylor Boathouse Taylor Flats Taylor, Emma Flower, Mansion Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church Thousand Island Grange Hall Thousand Island Park Historic District Three Mile Bay Historic District Tibbetts Point Light Tracy Farm Trinity Episcopal Church and Parish House Union Hall Union Hotel Union Meeting House United Methodist Church US Post Office-Carthage Vautrin, Claude, House Village of Antwerp Historic District Vogt House Walrath, Arthur, House Watertown Masonic Temple Wheeler, Menzo, House Wilcox Farmhouse Wilson, Warren, House Wood, Amos, House
New York State was home to several utopian communities in the 19th century, including the Oneida Community in central New York, which practiced communal living and free love, and the Shakers, who were known for their furniture and craftsmanship.
New York random facts
Jefferson County, located in upstate New York, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy, who lived off the land and utilized the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario for transportation and trade routes.

European exploration and settlement began in the 16th century, when French explorers explored the area as part of their efforts to establish fur trading posts in the New World. In 1800, the land that would become Jefferson County was part of the larger Oneida County, under New York state. However, in 1805, it was split off to become Jefferson County, named after Thomas Jefferson, the then-president of the United States.

During the War of 1812, the county played a significant role as a strategic location along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The village of Sackets Harbor became an important military base for the American military, serving as a shipyard, barracks, and naval headquarters for the region. The Battle of Sackets Harbor in 1813 marked a pivotal moment in the conflict, as American forces successfully repelled British attacks, securing a crucial victory.

As the 19th century progressed, Jefferson County continued to develop economically and socially. Agriculture became a key industry, with farmers cultivating crops such as wheat, corn, and dairy products. The county's fertile soil and proximity to transportation routes helped it to become a major hub for trade and commerce. Additionally, the construction of the Erie Canal in the early 19th century further connected the county to other parts of New York state, boosting its economic growth.

Today, Jefferson County retains its historical significance and is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and rich heritage. The region's museums and historic sites, such as the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about the county's past and appreciate its historical impact.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jefferson County, New York.

  • 1805: Jefferson County is established in the state of New York.
  • 1807: Watertown becomes the county seat of Jefferson County.
  • 1812: The War of 1812 begins, and Jefferson County provides soldiers to fight in the conflict.
  • 1817: The Erie Canal is completed, bringing economic growth to Jefferson County.
  • 1838: The Great Fire of 1838 destroys much of the business district in Watertown.
  • 1861-1865: Jefferson County residents serve in the American Civil War.
  • 1894: The Thousand Islands Bridge linking Jefferson County to Canada is completed.
  • 1905: The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station is established in Watertown.
  • 1940s-1950s: The Goodrich Island nuclear power plant is built in Jefferson County.
  • 1998: The Thompson Park Zoo opens in Watertown.
  • 2010: Jefferson County celebrates its 205th anniversary.