During the 1800’s, Massena grew in prominence as a health retreat as people flocked to the area to enjoy the medicinal benefits of bathing in the sulphur mineral springs found along the Racquette River. Known to the Indians as Kanaswastakeras, meaning the place where the mud smells bad, the Iroquois had been visiting the springs and using the waters for their curative powers for generations before settlers from New England and Europe came to this area. The Indians described the springs as a place where many moose, deer and their sick brothers would come to drink the healing waters. The sulphur springs provided a booming economy for the place known as Massena Springs, N.Y. Many grand homes and hotels opened and grew to accommodate the many people who would come to use The Massena Waters. For those who couldnt travel here, the curative waters were locally bottled and shipped far and wide. In celebration of its history, our present-day Springs Park received a major renovation and dedication in 2004. The Springs continued as the community’s primary industry until the turn of the 20th century when industry found its footing with low cost hydro power. The first hydroelectric facility was built in 1900 when Henry H. Warren organized a company to dig a power canal that connected the Grasse River and the mighty St. Lawrence. In that distance, the depth dropped 45 feet and allowed for the harnessing of 200,000 horsepower.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 01:44:38 +0000
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