Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Event, Site

Location

4 Mill Rd, Hammond, NY 13646, USA

Lat/Long

44.380677717195, -75.653340349558

Grant Recipient

St. Lawrence County Historical Association

In the early 19th century, America was on the brink of industrial expansion, driven by the wealth of natural resources uncovered through national growth. New York, in particular, played a critical role in this transformation, conducting a series of geological and natural history surveys throughout the late 1830s and 1840s to identify valuable mineral deposits. These surveys revealed abundant resources in the state’s northern and western regions, fueling the rapid development of industrial hubs. With vital trade routes such as the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers facilitating the transportation of goods, New York’s economy flourished. Communities like Rossie became essential to this progress, thanks to their rich deposits of iron and lead—minerals crucial to the industries of the era.

Rossie’s industrial significance began with financier David Parish, who discovered iron deposits in the area and founded the Rossie Iron Works in 1813. His investments and leadership attracted skilled laborers and spurred the region’s economic development, though he eventually returned to Europe, leaving his holdings to his brother, George Parish. In 1835, Parish’s nephew expanded Rossie’s industry by establishing a lead smelting plant following the discovery of a lead vein south of their property. The ironworks primarily produced pig iron and castings, materials essential for infrastructure projects such as bridges and tools, while lead mining supplied industries—including ammunition production. This mining boom brought prosperity to Rossie, attracting workers and their families and transforming it into a bustling community, thanks to several veins discovered in the area. (Samuel Durant, History of St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1878, 15-15)

Despite its early success, Rossie’s mining industry began to decline by the mid-19th century. The quality of ore diminished, and larger mining operations in other parts of the country provided stiff competition. As a result, Rossie’s economy gradually shifted toward agriculture and small-scale manufacturing. While there were brief resurgences and hopes of revitalizing the industry, the years following the Civil War marked a period of steady decline. Today, Rossie’s industrial legacy remains a key chapter in New York’s history, reflecting the broader trends of resource-driven economic expansion and transition.