A Brief History of Warren County
David Varney
Summary
Warren County, taken from the N.W. part of Washington county in 1813. It is principally situated on the
west side of Lake George, centrally distant from New York 240, and from Albany 75 miles. Greatest length N.
and S. 44, greatest breadth E. and W. 40 miles. With the exception of a small district on the SE., the whole
county is mountainous. The mountains, which are of primitive formation, are covered with a heavy growth of
trees, and contain it is said abundance of iron ore of good quality, but have very small portions of arable
soil. The valleys, which are narrow, contain some fertile alluvion, on secondary limestone. The principal
employment of the inhabitants is getting lumber, which is sent to market by the rivers, lake, and Champlain
canal. This county embraces about one half of Horicon or Lake George, the greater part of Schroon lake, the
whole of Brant lake, and many smaller ones. The Horicon is a beautiful sheet of water 33 miles long, and
about 2 wide, and discharges its waters northward into Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga. Its waters are very
deep and clear, and abound with the finest fish. The mountain scenery of this lake is excelled in its romantic
beauties by none in the world. Schroon and Brant lakes are beautiful sheets of water, and abound with fish
similar to Lake George.
- Historical Collections of the State of New York, John W. Barber and Henry Howe, 1841.
History of Warren County, by H. P. Smith (1885)
Chapter XVIII: Warren County in the Rebellion has been transcribed and contains extensive information regarding the efforts of the citizens of Warren County during the Civil War. Chapter XVII: Land Titles has also been added. It contains a a good amount of information regarding the early land patents in Warren County.
A History of the Town of Queensbury, by A. W. Holden, M.D. (1874)
Chapter I: Introduction has been transcribed and more are on the way.
Panoramic Maps
The panoramic map was a common method to depict cities and towns during the late nineteenth century. Cities were drawn from a "bird's eye" view giving the feeling of perspective. Although not to scale or very accurate, they showed the layout of the city and noted the major landmarks. These maps are presented in Zoomify and require the Flash Player.
Panoramic Map of Glens Falls, 1884
Panoramic Map of Luzerne, 1888
Panoramic Map of Warrensburgh, 1891
Additional Resources
1860 French's Gazetteer County Profile
1860 French's Gazetteer Town Profiles #1
Bolton, Caldwell, Chester, Hague, & Horicon
1860 French's Gazetteer Town Profiles #2
Johnsburgh, Luzerne, Queensbury, Stony Creek, Thurman & Warrensburgh
Past Post Offices and Postmasters
Historical Letters 1852-1869
Originally posted to
the Warren County Mailing List, letters written by Julia Hill to her cousin Juliette Baker.