New York, Saint Lawrence County, Canton
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Canton's Islands
The Grasse River flows north to the St. Lawrence River and divides into west and east channels as it flows around the islands. Stillman Foote built the first sawmill and gristmill on the west bank of the Grasse River in 1801-02.
Getting the Names Straight:
On the south side of Main Street, what today is called "Willow Island" or "Canton Island Park" was once known as "Champlin Island" or "Cook Island," taking the names of prominent businessmen.
The land you are standing on now has been referred to as "Coakley Island" for almost a hundred years. But during the 19th century it was known as "Mill Island" and was where A.E. Smith, L.B. Storrs, and Gardner and Veitch had their businesses before J.P. Coakley bought the property in 1917.
The King Iron Bridge connects Coakley Island to Falls Island. This 4.4 acre island was the heart of 19th century Canton industry. Early maps refer to Falls Island by names such as Hodskin, Spears, Huse, or Coakley.
Dwight Church, 1939; SLU ODY Archives "The Grasse River Flowing Through Canton"
Dwight Church, 1958, SLU, ODY Archives. "Over Falls Island Looking South at Coakley Island, Canton's Main Street Bridges, Canton's Main Street Bridges and Willow Island."
Canton Town and Village Historian's Office. "Looking East on Main Street, Through the Covered Bridge."
Built in 1867, and replaced in 1904, this covered bridge crossed the west channel of the Grasse River and served as the entry way from Ogdensberg or Gouverneur.
(Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Canton's Islands
The Grasse River flows north to the St. Lawrence River and divides into west and east channels as it flows around the islands. Stillman Foote built the first sawmill and gristmill on the west bank of the Grasse River in 1801-02.
Getting the Names Straight:
On the south side of Main Street, what today is called "Willow Island" or "Canton Island Park" was once known as "Champlin Island" or "Cook Island," taking the names of prominent businessmen.
The land you are standing on now has been referred to as "Coakley Island" for almost a hundred years. But during the 19th century it was known as "Mill Island" and was where A.E. Smith, L.B. Storrs, and Gardner and Veitch had their businesses before J.P. Coakley bought the property in 1917.
The King Iron Bridge connects Coakley Island to Falls Island. This 4.4 acre island was the heart of 19th century Canton industry. Early maps refer to Falls Island by names such as Hodskin, Spears, Huse, or Coakley.
Dwight Church, 1939; SLU ODY Archives "The Grasse River Flowing Through Canton"
Dwight Church, 1958, SLU, ODY Archives. "Over Falls Island Looking South at Coakley Island, Canton's Main Street Bridges, Canton's Main Street Bridges and Willow Island."
Canton Town and Village Historian's Office. "Looking East on Main Street, Through the Covered Bridge."
Built in 1867, and replaced in 1904, this covered bridge crossed the west channel of the Grasse River and served as the entry way from Ogdensberg or Gouverneur.
(Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Memorial
In Memory Of
A Cinderella world once existed behind the stone wall you see straight ahead , occupied by Evalyn Walsh McLean. 
Richard M. Johnson, 1780-1850, one of four Kentuckians - more than any state, except New York - who were U.S. Vice Presidents. Others were John C. Breckinridge, Adlai Ewing Stevenson and Alben W. Barkley. Johnson home 2 miles north. Colonel, War of 1812. Congressman, 1807-19, 1829-37; Senate, 1819-29. Vice President with President Van Buren, 1837-41. Kentucky Legislature, 1841-42.
Originally constructed in 1825, the Stone Bridge carried the Warrenton Turnpike across Bull Run. Its ability to carry traffic across the steep-sided stream, even at times of high water, gave the bridge a key role in the Civil War. Both sides recognized its strategic importance.
Under cover of darkness, the defeated Union army withdrew toward Centreville, four miles to the east. The troops crossed Bull Run on a makeshift wooden span, constructed several months earlier by Union engineers using the remaining bridge abutments. After the last soldiers filed across the stream, the replacement bridge was destroyed by the Union rear guard.
This imposing property once belonged to Anacostia’s most famous resident: Frederick Douglass. After escaping slavery as a young man, Douglass rose to become a distinguished abolitionist, writer, publisher, and orator. By the 1860s Douglass was one of the nation’s intellectual and political giants who had President Lincoln’s ear. Douglass argued early in the Civil War that Lincoln should allow African Americans to fight as soldiers in the Union army.
Directly across this west channel is the site where the Eagle Mill was built in 1842 by Henry Van Rensselaer. This grist mill was a four-story, 45 by 65 foot sandstone structure. Over the years it passed through many hands, and in the early 2th century it was known as the Bullis mill. John P. Coakley purchased it in 1917 and used it as a warehouse. It was razed in 1959 and the Cascade Restaurant and Motel were built on the site. Canton Town and Village Historian 
A Golden OpportunityWhen Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, only 300 people reached its borders.-----------------------------------------For decades, traveling to Yellowstone and other remote parks remained slow and expensive.
Although the primary focus of Heritage Park is on Canton's 19th century industries, this island offers the opportunity to observe and reflect upon various areas of scientific study. 
What looks like a small amphiteater from where you are now standing was the site of the H.H. Sickles Sash and Blind Factory. Here, water power was harnessed to run machines for planing, cutting, shaping, mortising, and finishing wood, and for crushing and processing apples. Most of the industrial sites on this island changed hands freqently and activities canged as well, based on seasonal water levels and availability of raw materials. SLHA [St. Lawrence Historical Association]
The grist mill shown here was originally known as the St. Lawrence Mill. It was a three-story brick building erected by Lucius Moody in 1859-60 and for many years it was owed by D.W. Sherwin. Canton Town and Village Historian 
Although today the land you are on may seem like a pleasant park, during most of the 19th century the island was not attractive and it wasn't always safe for the people who worked and did business here. 
In 1810, Vermont State Law required towns to raise a minimum of 1 cent on the dollar in property taxes for support of town schools. The one room schoolhouse before you was built between 1815 and 1827 to serve students on the area once known as South Beach or District #4. Attendence varied based on the season and for example would drop during planting or harvesting time as children were needed to help on the family farm. In 1833 there were 41 pupils between the ages of 4 and 18 enrolled in this school. Older children often assisted the younger ones with their lessons so the teacher could work with other students. The subjects taught were arithmetic, spelling, reading, penmanship, geography and English. 
