tug hill history

Little is known of Tug Hill's early use by native Americans, but the Iroquois tribe was the most recent tribe to live nearby and use the resources on Tug Hill. It is likely that Tug Hill was a place that was visited, rather than occupied year round, as was true of the Adirondacks across the Black River Valley.

After the American Revolution, much of Tug Hill's "Empty" lands were sold in vast tracts to wealthy merchants who in turn sold smaller parcels to European settlers. Settlement on Tug Hill was in high gear by the mid-1800's as the building of the Erie & Black River Canals, and the railroad, brought people and commerce to the region.

Early settlers logged and farmed the land. Lands that were not cleared for agriculture were logged for timber products. In the Late 1800s Tug Hill and the Adirondacks had become the center of New York's logging industry. Pulp and paper industries, sawmills and furniture manufacturers set up shop in the Tug Hill region to be close to the source of timber. Settlers also established small diry farms, shipping cheese to the growing cities of New York State. By 1870, the region's population peaked, not to be matched for nearly a century.

The drop in population after 1870 reflected Tug Hill's harsh realities - long winter and poor soils - and the nations shifting economy. Paper mills, farming and other industries concentrating along the Black River drew settlers down off the Hill's struggling farms. The population of the towns in the center of Tug Hill dropped as small sawmills and cheese factories were abound. Country roads alive with homesteads, become the "little used" back roads now so common to the core of the Hill. Through some 70 years of declining population, however, the lands of Tug Hill continued to be worked. Logging, hunting, fishing, trapping and some farming continued to shape the region's way of life.

Following WWII, America's economy was growing, more people were residing on Tug Hill, while others discovered the many recreational opportunities. Today, the communities on the Hill are working to protect and retain all that is most valued in the region; protective lands that provide clean water and recreation, and jobs based in farming and forestry.

Tug Hill's 2100 square miles create a truly unique landscape with clear water streams and rivers, spectacular gorges and gulfs, extensive forests, productive forests, productive farms and vast open space. Together these elements contribute to a land of charm and rugged beauty where logging, hunting, fishing, trapping and winter recreation shape the region's way of life.

Tug Hill is known as the snowiest place east of the Rockies, with snowfalls of 200-300" annually as a result of local lake effect storms. The New York State record snowfall occurred during the winter of 1976-77 in the Town of Montague on Tug Hill. They recorded 466.9 inches of snow - nearly 40 feet! Because of the abundant snow and terrain, no place is better for winter sports than Lewis County. There are hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails, state and county maintained cross-country ski trails, and the Snow Ridge Ski Center for down hill skiing.

Expansive forests, isolated marshes and swamps, steep gorges combine with limited public roads and few human inhabitants to make for a special home for wildlife including white tailed deer, beaver, mink, muskrat, otter fisher, coyote and fox. Trout and other fish abound in the cool rippling waters that flow from Tug Hill. Abundant wetlands are home to mallard, wood duck, hooded merganser and black duck. There are seven plants and twenty-nine rare animal species recorded on Tug Hill, including birds-eye primrose, Jacob's ladder, and the red-shouldered hawk. For the adventure seeker or the naturalists, for the hunter, biker or bird watcher the wild, remote beauty of New York's "lesser wilderness" is unparalled.

Tug Hill is located in Lewis County, which is located halfway between the St. Lawrence River and the New York State Thruway. It is bordered on the west by the Tug Hill Plateau and the east by the Adirondack Mountains.

This area is known to snowmobilers for its consistently large annual snowfalls. The snow is credited to the lake effect, caused Tug Hill's proximity to Lake Ontario. In fact, Lewis County holds the New York State record for annual snowfall. During the winter of 1976-77, the town of Montague on Tug Hill accumulated 466.9 inches. That's the kind of snowfall that 'bilers can appreciate! Monday through Thursday is the best time to ride Lewis County.

It's not a mystery why Tug Hill and Lewis County are prime destinations for winter enthusiasts. Cross-country skiers can enjoy the abundance of snow and kick on any of the area's groomed cross country ski trails over a variety of terrain.

Downhill skiers can head to Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin. It's home to 22 runs from novice to expert. For the nature lover in us all, you'll find that Lewis County is home to white tail deer, beaver, mink, muskrat, otter, coyote, fox and a variety of birds that you may see while riding, showshoeing, walking or skiing through the woods.

January brings the Lewis County region the Empire State Games featuring classical and freestyle skiing in Osceola. February brings the Brantingham Winter Festival, Ice Harvest in New Bremen, Old Dog Snowmobile Races at the Flat Rock Inn in Martinsburg. The Tug Hill 75-mile Snowmobile Challenge is also in March.

Lewis County is within a day's drive of many major cities in the Northeast.
Registration is required to snowmobile anywhere in NY State. To obtain registration, contact: NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 232, 7600 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367 315-376-5332.