Goldsmith, New York

Goldsmith is a hamlet in the Town of Franklin, Franklin County, New York, about 30 miles (48 km) west of Plattsburgh, New York.

Goldsmith is a virtual ghost town today, but over a hundred years ago it was a bustling community with a school, a post office, two hotels, a grand ball room and numerous houses. A sawmill was located along the North Branch of the Saranac River, and a the dam formed a small lake or mill pond extending up to Slab Bridge. The land, once logged, proved to be excellent farm land. Goldsmith was one of the first Adirondack villages to have electricity. Much of the land was granted by Garret Smith, some to escaped or freed slaves. Charcoal was an early product, made for nearby forges.

The dam was blown out in 1926, and the mill closed. Farming remained vibrant. Hops were grown during Prohibition. Few year round residents remain. Much of the land around Slab Bridge was subdivided into small 1 and 2-acre (8,100 m²) lots.

The Nature Conservancy has purchased much of the area of Goldsmith.

References

• Goldsmith, Mill Town of Long Ago; Amelia S. Baumann, Historian, Town of Franklin; Franklin Historical Review, Vols. 6-10,p 110-112.
• Goldsmith's Continued: Teresa R. Eshelman; Franklin Historical Review

Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, New York, United States County seat: Malone Towns Bangor Bellmont Bombay Brandon Brighton Burke Chateaugay Constable Dickinson Duane Fort Covington Franklin Harrietstown Malone Moira Santa Clara Tupper Lake Waverly Westville Villages Brushton Burke Chateaugay Malone Saranac Lake‡ Tupper Lake CDPs Fort Covington Hamlet Paul Smiths St. Regis Falls Hamlets Gabriels Goldsmith Hogansburg Keese Mill Lake Clear Loon Lake Saint Regis Skerry Upper St. Regis Vermontville Indian reservation St. Regis Mohawk Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Coordinates: 44°34′08″N 73°59′53″W / 44.568851°N 73.998047°W / 44.568851; -73.998047