After A History of Jefferson County, by Franklin B. Hough, 1854
Redwood, a small village near the line of Theresa, owes its origin to a
glass factory, established by John S. Foster who for several years had been
engaged in this business as agent, at Boston, Burlington, Vt., and Redford,
Clinton County. Redwood has, besides, a
Catholic and Episcopal church, two inns, three stores, one grist-mill, two
saw-mills, two wagon shops, and several other shops, with water power. In
1850 it had 58 families, and 332 inhabitants. It is on the Military Road,
13 miles from Hammond, and distant 7 miles from Alexandria Bay, 3 from
Plessis, and 6 from Theresa.
ANOTHER VERSION OF REDWOOD'S HISTORY
After Geographical Gazetteer of Jefferson County, N. Y. by Hamilton Child, 1890
Redwood, which has a post office, is a thriving village near the line of Theresa. It owes its origin to a glass factory established by John S. Foster, who for several years had been engaged in this business, as agent, in various localities. In April, 1833, he visited this county, examined several localities, and finally selected this, which is on the stream connecting Mud and Butterfield lakes, the former of which is about 94 feet above the latter, affording a limited water power, that had several years previous been improved by the erection of a saw- and grist-mill by David Smith, of Adams. Foster contracted with Francis DePau for a tract of 10,000 acres, as agent, borrowed several thousand dollars of DePau, and the same summer erected a glass factory, and on September 30 of 1833, the first glass was made.
The village was surveyed by Thomas Clark, and named Jamesville, but Mr. Foster gave the place the present name from the similarity to "Redford," his late residence, in hopes of thus being able to compete in the sale of glass with an establishment from which he claimed to have been unjustly discharged. The glass factory has at times been conducted by the following: Schmauss & Co., Gerlach & Son, Ingleson, Forbes & Co., and H. S. White, and from 1844 by Dezeng & Co. from the Clyde glass factory. In 1853 a joint stock company, with a capital of $12, 000 was formed, entitled the "Redwood Glass Manufacturing Company." In 1859, W.W. Butterfield became connected with the concern as its president, and subsequently purchased all the stock. The works are not now in operation. A wool-carding and cloth-dressing factory was built here in 1846, by William Page. Cook & Smith manufacture sash, doors, blinds, and moldings, and Daniel Springer has a steam saw-mill at Redwood.
MORE OF REDWOOD'S HISTORY
after Growth of a Century by John A. Haddock, 1895
Redwood, the most prominent business place in Alexandria, is situated
between Butterfield and Edmunds lakes, two of the chain that are bound in
close proximity to one another, the names of which, in the immediate
vicinity of Redwood, are: Edmunds, Clear, Crystal, Butterfield, Millsite,
Sixbury, and Lake of the Woods--all of which are well stocked with as great a
variety of fish as any inland lakes in the State of New York. Butterfield
Lake is a famous fishing place, and abounds with wall-eyed pike, pickerel,
bass, Oswego, black and large rock bass, and a variety of other kinds, some
of which grow to considerable weight. The white fish of the Lake of the
Woods are the finest caught in this northern country.
The remarkably fine atmosphere and the many mineral springs have caused
many to seek Redwood for health as well as pleasure. The remarkable age of
those who have a long time lived there, almost makes us believe that had
Ponce de Leon come this way, he would have found that fabled spring, the
waters of which imparted perpetual youth to whomsoever drank them.
The graded school, under the management of John T. Delaney, for the past
few years, has advanced its curriculum each year by taking in more advanced
studies,--and an attempt is now being made to place the school in the
Regent's grade.
If you have additional information, comments, or suggestions, please contact: Nan Dixon
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