The Fenians . Just who were they? And why were they here in Malone, NY? Glad you asked. The Fenians lived in Ireland and their movement existed primarily in England and The United States. Simply put, they wanted Ireland completely independent from England. They believed the Great Famine that hit Ireland and the poor aid from England was …[ read more ]

The Underground Railroad started off as not an organized group. However, federal law inflicted heavy fines and/or imprisonment. In the South, it could mean death. As with any righteous protest system, such as the freedom rides and anti-segregation marches, the Underground Railroad gained momentum. Neil exploring tunnel Tunnel in basement of the Congregational Church The Underground Railroad …[ read more ]

civil_war_cannon_smoke (Photo credit: Tom Gill. ) Little changed in Malone until the Civil War . At this time, the people became a little less puritanical and a little less amenable to censor from the clergy. Yet their amusements were puritanical by today’s standards: debating societies, bell ringers, concerts, bowling, dances, circuses and minstrel shows. Once the war arrived, changes …[ read more ]

On August 25, 1851, Malone formed its first agricultural society. It was too late in the year to have a fair, so the first Malone County Fair was held the following year, in October, and ran only two days. About seven acres of land was leased from William Andrus (of which Andrus Street–aka the River …[ read more ]

Ogdensburg-Lake Champlain Railroad Station Just as Malone craves the “ Rooftop Highway ” to free it from its economic isolation, in the nineteenth century, the county wanted a railroad. It became the single greatest force for economic growth and prosperity in Malone. The Ogdensburg-Lake Champlain Railroads began construction in 1848 and 1850 saw the first passenger trains …[ read more ]