| 1850 |
A large gangmill, having about seventy saws,
was erected on the East bank of the river.
The completion of the Northern Railroad gave fresh impetus to the
lumbering interests. The water power at Colton was made usable and the
village more than doubled its population in two years. |
| 1851 |
In November, that part of Parishville known as
"Mile Square" 1, 6, and 12 were taken from that town and annexed
to Colton.
The Post Office known as Matildaville was changed to Colton on June 19. |
| 1852 |
The first Methodist Society was organized and
the first church was built at a cost of $2,000. The seating capacity was
300. The Universalist Church was also built, with a seating capacity of
175.
A second large gang-mill was built on the West bank operating 60 saws. A
third gang-mill was built in the same year on the West side near Higley
Falls.
Chester Day, cooper, boat builder and guide came to the South Woods. Eben
Willis came from Parishville. He invented and manufactured a sap spout and
an arch for boiling maple sap. |
| 1853 |
Jerry Reynolds built the Empire Exchange
following the fire which destroyed the Racket Hotel on the same site. |
| 1854 |
High Falls Lodge #428, F&AM was organized
with Silas Hawley as the first Master. |
| 1855 |
The first Post Office was established in South
Colton called Three Falls, on November 15, with Thomas McGary as the first
Postmaster. Census figures place the population at 1,040. |
| 1856 |
Lorenzo Hull built and conducted the
"largest tannery in the State" on the West side of the river
midway of the great fall. |
