History

The Town of Lowville is officially established as part of Oneida County, and initially runs all the way up to the south side of the Deer River. New York State lays out the Old State Road from Utica to Lowville, continuing to Champion and Sackets Harbor (current State Street).

Lewis County is formed from Oneida County, and the Town of Lowville becomes part of the new county. The first church building is erected on Stow Street (current Methodist Episcopal Church).

Growth slows, as townsmen depart for service in the United States’ army and state militias during the War of 1812.

The first agricultural society is formed in Lewis County. The first Lewis County Fair is held at Lowville Academy in October of 1821 (current site of the Presbyterian Church).

Jackson, Dayan, Elm, and Collins Streets are laid out.

The Village of Lowville is formally incorporated under state law, being the first incorporated village in Lewis County.

Black River Canal traffic first arrives in Lowville, at Lowville (Spafford’s) Landing and Smith’s Landing (now known as Dadville).

The agricultural society is reorganized as the current Lewis County Agricultural Society in Lowville.

Several townsmen depart for service in the Union Army and state militias during the Civil War.

The Village of Lowville is designated as the county seat for Lewis County, formally switching the county’s governmental and administrative center from Martinsburg.

The First railroad line arrives in Lowville, continuing the Utica and Black River Rail line north from Boonville. Trinity Avenue is laid out, running from State Street to East Road.

A major fire devastates downtown Lowville on South State Street. The Kellogg House (later known as the Bateman Hotel) is constructed on the burned site of the Howell House, as the Village begins to rebuild.

A major fire in downtown Lowville burns much of lower Dayan Street. Forest Park is established, acquired by the Lewis County Agricultural Society, and becomes home to the Lewis County Fairgrounds. The Grandstand, racetrack, and various exhibit buildings are constructed.

The Lowville Electric Company (later known as Wetmore Electric) is organized. A power plant is built on Mill Creek, and the first electric streetlights are erected in Lowville.

The Village of Lowville establishes the Adirondack Water Works in Watson to provide municipal water to Lowville. Susan B. Anthony speaks at the Lowville Opera House in support of women’s suffrage.

The Wetmore Electric Company acquires Lowville Electric and constructs Lewis County’s first hydro-electric plant in Belfort. Lowville Cheese cold storage plant is constructed and begins operation (later Kraft Cheese Company). The first telephone lines are installed in Lowville, with the formation of the Black River Telephone Company.

The Village annexes 332 acres to the south and east, expanding the size of the Village for the first time since its incorporation.

The first streets in the Village are paved, beginning a multi-year effort to pave all Village streets. The Village also begins the first reforestation project in Lewis County, on the Lowville Waterworks property in Watson (planting 750,000 trees).

Several townsmen depart for service in the United States’ military during World War 1.

The Lewis County Farm Bureau Association and Lowville Farmer’s Co-Op are organized in Lowville. New York State’s “Lowville Tree Nursery” is established in Dadville. The Village adopts its first building code and zoning ordinances. Lowville Academy (today’s High School) relocates to current building on North State Street.

Lewis County Hospital is constructed and opens to the public as the first general care hospital in Lewis County.

Several townsmen depart for service in the United States’ military during World War 2.

A new County Courthouse is built on North State Street. Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative builds and begins operation of large milk plant on Utica Boulevard.

Veteran’s Memorial Park is established and dedicated to “those in the Town of Lowville who served their country in times of war.”

Kraft cream cheese plant is constructed on Utica Boulevard and begins operation as one of the largest cream cheese producers in the world, noted for its famous “Philadelphia” cream cheese brand.

A major fire in downtown Lowville burns much of South State Street.

The Village annexes land along lower Turkey Road, and property on outer Stow Street. Town offices move to their current location on Bostwick Street, with the Village offices to follow.

A major fire burns in downtown Lowville, on the corner block of Dayan and South State Street.

The Village annexes land along outer Ross Road. A new three-story, 40,000 square foot addition to the Lewis County Court House is built to house all of Lewis County’s courts. The First Town and Village Comprehensive Plan is adopted.

The Guinness World Record-Holding “World’s Largest Cheesecake” is unveiled at the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival.

Jefferson Community College builds and opens the Lewis County Education Center along East Road.

The Coronavirus Pandemic spreads across the globe.

The Lewis County Agricultural Society holds the 200th Lewis County Fair at the Lewis County Fairgrounds. A fundraiser is conducted to restore the original Grandstand, in order to maintain the Fairgrounds’ historic significance and charm.