Watertown history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Watertown dates back to 1800, when the first settlers, including Henry Coffin and Zachariah Butterfield, arrived in these lands. They recognised the potential of the powerful currents of the Black River and laid the foundation for the future settlement. The city's name, literally meaning "Water Town", was not chosen by chance: it reflects the abundance of waterfalls and rapids within the city limits, which played a decisive role in its destiny.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• Hydroelectric Potential: The rapid flow of the Black River with its significant elevation changes allowed the energy of the water to be used to drive machinery. This predetermined the industrial character of the city.
• Geographical Location: Watertown is located at a strategically important point in upstate New York, making it a natural centre for trade and logistics for the entire North Country region.
• Political Status: As early as 1805, shortly after its founding, Watertown was selected as the administrative seat of Jefferson County. This decision attracted lawyers, officials, and entrepreneurs to the city, accelerating its urbanisation.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Watertown's economy developed at a rapid pace. Thanks to accessible water energy, sawmills and flour mills opened here en masse. Soon, the city became known as a major centre for the pulp and paper industry and mechanical engineering.

Industrial success contributed to the accumulation of capital, which was reflected in the city's appearance: wealthy industrialists and merchants built luxurious mansions and public buildings, laying the foundation for the rich architectural heritage that can still be observed today.

Major Milestones in the City's History

• 1800 — The first settlers, including Henry Coffin, founded a settlement by the waterfalls of the Black River, seeing them as a source of energy.
• 1805 — Watertown was officially designated as the administrative seat of Jefferson County.
• 1816 — The settlement received village status, beginning the formation of local government bodies.
• 1851 — The completion of the Watertown and Rome Railroad connected the city with the outside world and stimulated trade.
• 1869 — Watertown was incorporated as a city, having become a major industrial hub by this time.
• 1878 — Future tycoon Frank Woolworth, while working in a local shop, successfully tested the "everything for 5 cents" counter idea for the first time.
• 1890s — The city became one of the leading centres of the paper industry in North America.
• 1905 — The famous landscape architecture firm Olmsted designed the city's Thompson Park, donated to the city by John Thompson.
• 1952 — Julius Sämann invented the famous "Little Trees" car air freshener in Watertown.
• 1985 — The deployment of the US Army's 10th Mountain Division at the nearby Fort Drum base gave a powerful impulse to the city's economic and demographic growth.
• 2018 — The city received a significant state grant for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which launched a wave of updates to the urban environment.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Watertown is a journey from an industrial centre to a modern city with a developed service sector and a strong military presence nearby. Below are the main milestones that have defined the current appearance and economy of the city:

• Industrialisation Powered by the River (Mid-19th Century)
  The use of the Black River's hydropower allowed the city to become a major centre for the paper and textile industries. This led to a rapid rise in prosperity: in the late 19th century, Watertown was considered a city with one of the highest numbers of millionaires per capita in the USA, which is reflected in the monumental architecture of the centre.
• Status as a Railway Hub (1851)
  The opening of the Watertown and Rome Railroad broke the isolation of the North Country region. This event turned the city into a logistics hub, through which goods were sent to New York and Canada, cementing its status as the trading capital of the region.
• The Birth of Modern Retail (1878)
  It was here that Frank Woolworth conducted his famous experiment with the "everything for 5 cents" counter. The success of this idea not only brought fame to the city but also changed the global culture of consumption, making Watertown the symbolic birthplace of affordable shopping.
• Urban Planning Reform and the Olmsted Legacy (Early 20th Century)
  The design of Thompson Park by the firm of the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (creator of Central Park in New York) set a high standard for the urban environment. This transformed the industrial city into a comfortable place to live with unique green zones.
• Economic Reorientation to Fort Drum (From the 1980s)
  The expansion of the Fort Drum military base and the deployment of the 10th Mountain Division there became a turning point following the industrial decline. The influx of military personnel and their families radically changed the demographics and economy, stimulating the development of the service sector, housing construction, and education.
• Revitalisation of the Historic Centre (Modern Stage)
  In recent years, the city has been actively implementing the Downtown Revitalization Initiative programme. The reconstruction of historic buildings, the renovation of Public Square, and the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure are aimed at attracting tourists and creating modern public spaces.

Architectural Heritage of the "City of Millionaires"

The architectural appearance of Watertown is a stone chronicle of its industrial prime. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more millionaires resided here per capita than in any other US city of similar size. This wealth resulted in monumental construction: factory owners and patrons erected buildings worthy of major metropolises, gifting the city a historic centre that is unique for the American hinterland.

Urban Core: Public Square

The layout of the central part of the city formed around Public Square. Despite the name, this is an elongated rectangular space framed by dense historic buildings. It is here that the main commercial and public buildings are concentrated, creating a striking architectural ensemble that has remained practically unchanged since the early 20th century.

Eras and Styles in Stone

Walking through the streets of Watertown, one can trace the changes in architectural trends that dominated America for a century and a half:

• Mid-19th Century: Gothic Revival and Italianate.
  The brightest example of this era is the Paddock Arcade (1850). This is the oldest continuously operating covered shopping arcade in the USA. The building, with its glass roof and elegant arches, was inspired by the European arcades of that time and brought an atmosphere of Italian lightness to the harsh climate of upstate New York.
• Late 19th Century: Richardsonian Romanesque.
  This style, characterised by massiveness, the use of rough stone, and arched windows, symbolised reliability and the strength of authority. The main representative is the Jefferson County Courthouse. Its heavy walls and imposing tower dominate the surrounding landscape.
• Early 20th Century: Neoclassicism and Beaux-Arts.
  The "Gilded Age" era gifted the city its gem—the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library. Built in 1904, it is crafted from white marble with majestic columns, a rotunda, and rich interior decor. This building is considered one of the finest examples of the Beaux-Arts style in New York State.

Residential Architecture: "Millionaire's Row"

The urban development of residential areas, particularly Washington Street, deserves special attention. This street is often called "Millionaire's Row". Luxurious mansions have been preserved here, demonstrating an eclectic mix of styles: from Victorian Gothic Revival and Queen Anne style to strict Georgian Colonial style. These homes serve as a reminder of the private lives of the industrial elite who shaped the region's economy.

Distinguished Figures of Watertown

Watertown became the birthplace or an important stage in the lives of many people who left a significant mark on politics, business, and the arts. Here is a list of the most significant figures whose names are inextricably linked with the history of the city:

• Frank Winfield Woolworth
  Entrepreneur and retail pioneer.
  Although Woolworth was born in a neighbouring town, it was in Watertown, while working at the Moore & Smith store in 1878, that he first tested the concept of the "everything for 5 cents" counter. This experiment marked the beginning of his future trading empire, the F.W. Woolworth Company, which changed global retail.
• Roswell P. Flower
  Governor of New York State and philanthropist.
  A successful financier and politician of the 19th century. He not only served as Governor of the state (1892–1894) but was also a generous patron for Watertown. The magnificent Memorial Library, which bears his name and is an architectural gem of the city, was built with his funds.
• Robert Lansing
  US Secretary of State.
  A native of Watertown who became a prominent lawyer and diplomat. He served as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson (1915–1920). Lansing played a key role in US foreign policy during the First World War. He is buried in the city's Brookside Cemetery.
• Allen Dulles
  Diplomat and Director of the CIA.
  Born in Watertown into a clergyman's family. He became the first civilian Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and one of the most influential figures in American intelligence in the mid-20th century. His brother, John Foster Dulles (US Secretary of State), also spent his childhood years here.
• Julius Sämann
  Chemist and inventor.
  In 1952, Sämann invented the famous Little Trees car air freshener in Watertown. He wanted to help a local milkman get rid of the smell of spilled milk by using technology to extract essential oils from pine needles. Today, the company's headquarters is still located in this city.
• Frederick Exley
  Writer and journalist.
  Author of the famous autobiographical novel "A Fan's Notes", which became a classic of American literature. Exley grew up in Watertown, and the city frequently features in his works.
• Viggo Mortensen
  Actor, poet, artist.
  The world-famous actor, known for the role of Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings", spent a significant part of his youth in Watertown. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1976, where he was the captain of the swimming team.