Cape Vincent

Historical Tour

A

French Heritage

Community

Cape Vincent Historical Background

Cape Vincent residents take great pride in the historic background of this

area and in the heritage of their ancestors.

Earliest history of this area dates back to the first Indian settlements in

New York State. Traces have been found of an Iroquois prehistoric village,

and it has been shown also that the Onondaga Indians claimed this portion of

New York State as their hunting grounds.

The first record of the white man’s visit to this immediate vicinity was in

1615, five years prior to the memorable landing of the Pilgrims. Samuel de

Champlain and his compatriots on their expedition to the Iroquois country

reached Lake Ontario near Kingston, Ontario, thus bringing the expedition

within the water limit of the town.

In 1664 the first white man -- Father Simon le Moine, a Jesuit Missionary

– camped within the area which would become the township of Cape

Vincent.

Early in 1655, French Missionary priests, Father Chaumonot and Father

Dablon, were here as missionaries among the Onondaga Indians. History

shows that both England and France were endeavoring to monopolize the

Indian trade and to extend their influence with the native tribes. The French

established a fort at Niagara and the English established a fort at Oswego.

Both the French and English built trading posts, established missions, and

built homes in this area.

Fort Haldimand was built on Carleton Island by the English, and

government vessels were built on this island.

Among the large landholders in the north country was James Leray de

Chaumont who came to America in the late 1700’s. He is credited with

supporting the American Revolution with much of his fortune. His holdings

covered a large part of this area and included much of what is now the Town

of Cape Vincent.

The LeRay family owned and settled much of the land in this area, with

most of the early deeds of the late 1700’s bearing the signature of Vincent

LeRay. Familiar names then, as now, are Gosier, Docteur, Dezengremel,

Mussot, Chavoustie, Favrey (Favret), Merchant, and Majo.

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Abijah Putnam in 1801 became the first white settler on the mainland,

naming the area Port Putnam. He started a ferry service to Wolfe Island

from this settlement.

In 1805 the settlement was moved two miles to the west and was called

Gravelly Point. This name was changed to Cape Vincent by James Leray de

Chaumont in 1811 in honor of his son Vincent. Due to the declaration of the

War of 1812, it was necessary to have armed forces at Cape Vincent. There

was no army post on the frontier in as much danger as Cape Vincent, since

the enemy had a large force in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. At this time

many inhabitants left for back settlements, but when the danger was over,

many returned and the number of settlers steadily increased.

By 1815, the LeRay family started building the “Stone House” for their

summer residence. In 1818 the first Custom House was established.

Cape Vincent Township was separated from Lyme in 1849 and included

Grenadier, Little Grenadier and Fox Islands in Lake Ontario; Linda and

Carleton Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The village of Cape Vincent was

incorporated in June 1853 with a population of 1,218.

Cape Vincent developed rapidly during the era of the early 1800's when

the state road was extended from Brownville to this village. In 1848

sufficient stock was subscribed to warrant building a railroad from Rome to

Cape Vincent, at a cost of $7,500 per mile. Then a large train shed, hotel,

freight houses and wharf were built. The railroad was the main means of

transportation to and from this village for many years.

Lumbering, ice harvesting and shipping, hay and vegetable seed culture,

boat building, dairy farming, blacksmithing, and pulpwood shipping by

water and rail were among the businesses of the early years of Cape Vincent.

In the latter part of the 19th, and early part of the 20th century, commercial

fishing and cheese factories were important to the local economy.

Cape Vincent has always maintained a high standard of education for its

young people. History shows that one of the first schools of learning in the

area was erected on Carleton Island in 1823. From then on many one-room

schoolhouses were built throughout the area, the records showing that there

were seventeen school districts in the Town of Cape Vincent in 1906.

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The first of three Cape Vincent Newspapers, the Gazette, was published in

1852. The Cape Vincent Eagle was published from 1872-1951, when the

final edition was printed. The first of three Cape Vincent Newspapers, the

Gazette, was published in 1852. The Cape Vincent Eagle was published from

1872-1951, when the final edition was printed.

As early as 1880, the "Thousand Islands" were being written about in a

book published in Canada. Shortly after, Cape Vincent was becoming a

popular vacation resort for down-state residents. At this time, it was recorded

that: "In Cape Vincent may be found the best small mouth bass fishing

among the Thousand Islands--here the surroundings are picturesque, the

climate is mild and healthful.”

By 1900 Cape Vincent was a "bustling town”. There were seven grocery

stores, three meat markets, a bakery, two drug stores, five hotels, a paint and

wallpaper store, a book store, two clothing stores, two general stores, a

hardware store, and a jewelry store. There were also five physicians, three

dentists, two lawyers, two undertakers, and several dress makers. Businesses

included boat builders, hay dealers, photographers, monument salesmen,

blacksmiths, milliners, tailors, draymen, and several livery stables.

In 1968, local residents inaugurated a French Festival Day. This day has

become an annual affair and is held on the second Saturday in July near

Bastille Day. French Festival Day has grown each year since 1968, bringing

thousands of visitors to Cape Vincent for the celebration which consists of

many French booths, exhibits, costumes, French pastries, parade, band

concerts and climaxed with a gigantic fireworks display in the evening.

As you travel through Cape Vincent today your first impression is

probably of the serenity of the village, or the friendliness of its inhabitants, or

the beauty of the St. Lawrence River. Those of us who make our home here

in the Cape Vincent area are very proud of all of these factors. We would

like to introduce you to a few of the landmarks and other outstanding points

of interest in our community.

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The following section briefly describes the most common architectural styles

of buildings featured in this guide. Additional information on architectural

styles can be found in the sources listed in the bibliography. Federal Style: 1800-1840 The Federal style reached the United States following the American

Revolution and soon became the most popular building style for the new

nation. The Federal or “Adams” style takes its name from the three Adams

brothers who had the architectural practice in England between 1760 and

1780.

The Federal style encompasses all buildings that were constructed during

America’s Federal period, between approximately 1790 and 1820. One

variety of the federal style is the Georgian. The typical Georgian-plan house

is five bays wide, two and one-half stories height, with a symmetrical façade

and center entrance.

Architectural styles and trends remained in use in this vicinity much later

than their prototypes in New England. For example, Federal style

architecture was common locally until the 1840’s but was rarely found in

New England after 1820.

Federal style houses are typically simple rectangular boxes two rooms deep,

with unadorned, symmetrical facades and shallow, low-pitched roofs.

Windows are often double-hung six-over-six sash, adorned with shutters and

prominent lintels and sills. Paneled doors in the center of the façade are

surrounded by sidelights and topped with elliptical fanlights.

The Vincent Leray Stone House of 1815-1817 (page 13) is Cape Vincent’s

grandest example of a Georgian Federal Style residence.

Guide to Architectural Styles

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Greek Revival Style: 1820-1860 The Greek Revival style reflects America’s identification with the ideals of

Greek democracy. The Greek Revival or “National” style, with its pared

down simplicity and use of temple fronts was first popular for public

buildings. The style gained popularity for residential construction when

carpenters’ pattern books were published in the first half of the nineteenth

century. The north country, settled after the War of 1812, has an abundance

and great variety of Greek Revival houses. Front gable houses with one or

one and one-half-story side wings were especially common on farmsteads

built during this era.

The style is identified by the bold, simple moldings and heavy cornice lines

emphasized with wide bands of trim. Both gable and hipped roofs are

common. Pilasters decorate corners and occasionally, facades. Rectangular

transoms and sidelights are contained within prominent door surrounds.

Enlarged frieze bands sometimes contain small windows for extra light.

Maple Grove of 1838 (page 16) provides an excellent example of a large,

gable ended Greek Revival structure. Gothic Revival Style: 1830-1880 The Gothic Revival style, first used for churches and mansions, grew out of

the Romantic movement in literature, art, and architecture. Andrew Jackson

Davis, a prolific architect, developed the picturesque style. The invention of

the scroll saw also helped to spread the style resulting in its common

reference today as the “Carpenter Gothic” style.

Steeply pitched gables with decorated vergeboards continuing along eaves

characterize residential structures of this style. Steep gables, either center or

paired, are arranged asymmetrically across the façade. Windows vary in size

and shape, but an arched window often graces the peaked gable. Elaborate

porches and moldings are also employed.

The St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church (page 17) is Cape Vincent’s best

preserved example of the Gothic Revival style religious structure. 6

Italianate Style: 1850-1880 The Italianate style, developed during the Picturesque movement, lent itself

to commercial and residential architecture. Buildings, often of masonry

construction, were modeled after rural Italian farmhouses. Cast iron and

pressed metal, first employed during the period for building material,

decorated commercial structures.

Residential and commercial structures contain wide eaves, often supported

by large single or paired brackets. Houses, nearly square in plan, have tall

first floor windows and low roofs, sometimes topped with a cupola. U-

shaped hood moldings may top first and second floor windows. The door

often echoes the shape of the windows. Single-story porches flank the

entrance or entire width of the façade.

The E. K. Burnham House of 1870 (page 31) is a good example of an

Italianate style residence.

Second Empire Style: 1860-1880

Francois Mansard, a 17th-century Frenchman, invented a roof which allowed

attics to be expanded into usable floor space. The style, considered modern it

its revived form, gained popularity for remodeling. The General Delos

Sacket House of 1875 (page 23), is an outstanding example of this style in

Cape Vincent.

A steeply sloping mansard roof with dormer windows identifies Second

Empire style buildings. Other features are similar to the Italianate style.

Despite the influx of French immigrants to the north country, few examples

of the Second Empire style exist in the Cape Vincent area.

Other “newer” styles evident in Cape Vincent are the picturesque Victorian

styles (1860-1900), including the Stick, Queen Anne, and Shingle varieties,

and the Colonial Revival style (1880-1910).

The following pages will take you on a walking tour of the Village of Cape Vincent and

its landmarks. We will begin our tour at the Cape Vincent Historical Museum. The tour

will cover 2.5 miles. Please note that an asterisk (*) placed after the historical name of

a landmark indicates that it is listed on the National Registers of Historic Places.

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Cape Vincent Historical Museum

The home of the Historical Museum is located in one of the oldest

buildings in Cape Vincent. This venerable stone structure was used as a

barracks to house soldiers during the War of 1812. Later on, the Forsythe

Brothers manufactured ironwork for sailing vessels and cook stoves

during its days as a foundry and machine shop. It also has served as a

Town Barn and the Chamber of Commerce offices. In May of 1992 the

Museum was dedicated. In 1996 , the previously used assessor’s office

was replaced with a new wing for the Museum which includes a WWI

ambulance, a little red pumper used to fight village fires, and an ice boat.

Leave the museum and travel two short blocks inland to Broadway (State

Route 12E). Turn right on Broadway and across the street sits the …

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Cape Vincent United Church *

(First Presbyterian Society of Cape Vincent)

This church is surrounded by Italianate commercial structures. The First

Presbyterian Society of Cape Vincent was formally organized in 1832, at

which time church construction began on a lot that was given to the

society by Mr. LeRay. The building was completed by 1840. The

original stone structure has been partially retained in the back section of

the present church. In 1882 an ornate wooden front was added. This has

subsequently been modernized.

Proceed across Point Street and at the corner of Broadway and Market

Street find …

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Monaghan’s Pub and Roxy Hotel *

The Roxy Hotel, formerly the Jerome house, is historically significant as

the only intact surviving hotel building from the period of commercial

development of the village of Cape Vincent in the late nineteenth century

The hotel was built in 1894 and was the center of the local tourist

industry (as the headquarters of the St. Lawrence River Guides

Association).

Continue east on Broadway one block to Real Street. Down Real Street

towards the water was located the famous …

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Cup and Saucer House

The Cup and Saucer House was built by Count Real in 1818, one of

Napoleon I followers, for occupancy by Napoleon in the event that he

could be rescued from St. Helena. The house resembled an inverted cup

placed in a saucer. The lower part was octagonal surrounded by piazzas

and crowned with a cupola and tower. It was handsomely furnished with

mirrors, paintings, and furniture brought from France. One room,

especially fitted up, was intended for the Emperor, was always known as

“Napoleon’s Room”, but Napoleon passed away. Theophilus Peugnet

lived in the house when it burned in 1867. The site is now occupied by

the community library.

Cross Real Street and proceed up Broadway. On the water side of the

street are found some large wooden structures, known as …

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Windy Bank circa 1870 (top left)

The Woodruff House circa 1907 (top right)

St. Vincent of Paul’s Rectory circa 1890’s (bottom left)

The Peugnet House circa 1850 (bottom right)

Some of these structures have changed appearance over the years, but

most retain a good deal of original architectural fabric. Further up

Broadway, you will enter the Broadway Historic District.

The Broadway Historic District contains three estate properties in the

village of Cape Vincent built between 1815-1840 by prominent French

émigrés. Located on the St. Lawrence River on the west edge of the

village, the 22-acre district encompasses seven contributing elements five

houses and two outbuildings.

The first house in the District, found on the right is the …

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Vincent LeRay Stone House *

The Stone House was the earliest building in the historic district. It is

two-story, five-bay Georgian style building of dressed regularly coursed

limestone quarried on Carleton Island.

In 1815, James LeRay de Chaumont had the Stone House built for his

son, Vincent, for whom he named the village. The house was located

across the street from the land office (no longer exists) and provided a

local base for Vincent to oversee the family land business. The Stone

House was a very large and refined building for the frontier settlement.

In 1815, the year before the road to Watertown opened, Cape Vincent had

only eleven houses.

Proceed up Broadway past a garage and another house and find the …

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Stone House Servants Quarters

In 1820, the LeRay family built the Servants Quarters adjacent to the

Stone House to house the household staff. It is a one and one-half story

frame residence adjacent to the Stone House on the north side of

Broadway. It has a steeply pitched gable roof which flares out over open

porches in the front and back.

The porches, or galleries, stuccoed end walls, and casement windows in

this building reflect the vernacular French Colonial building style found

throughout Quebec and the Mississippi valley in the eighteenth and

nineteenth centuries.

Across Broadway from the Servants Quarters sits the …

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Stone House Farmhouse

The original Stone House property extended south of Broadway and

included the Farmhouse circa 1840, a vernacular two-story frame

residence. Its L-shaped plan, deep cornice, and six-over-six windows

were characteristic of the Greek Revival style. It had a wraparound

porch and porte-cochere which were added circa 1890. An octagonal

lattice gazebo and a one-story frame stable circa 1920 with a shallow

hipped roof also contributed to the historic character of the property.

A short distance past the Farmhouse on the same side of Broadway is

located …

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Maple Grove

When the LeRay family and many of the French Bonapartistes returned

to France in the early 1830’s, Theophilus Peugnet purchased the Stone

House and the Maple Grove parcel. He had Maple Grove built in 1838.

Charles Smith, who actually constructed the house, purchased Maple

Grove in 1847. Mr. Smith owned Carleton Island and was a locally

prominent lumber merchant.

Maple Grove is a Greek Revival style building and is distinguished by its

two-story pedimented portico displaying a high level of detail and

craftsmanship, notably in its doorway with engaged pilasters, transom,

and sidelights.

Travel back towards the village crossing Vincent Street to Kanady Street.

Turn right on Kanady and travel two blocks, crossing Joseph Street, and

on the right find …

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St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church *

The St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church was constructed in 1858 on

land donated by the Smith family and with limestone given by Louis

Goler. Prior to the construction of the church, services were held in the

home of Jean Philippe Galband and Augustus du Fort. The Golers, du

Forts, Grappottes, and Peugnets were all French immigrant families who

formed a significant segment of Cape Vincent’s population at the time.

Their names are represented on the stone monuments in the parish

cemetery, which contributes to the historic character of the property.

Turn left on Lake Street and travel two blocks until you reach Market Street

(Rt.12E). Turn right and go south about .2 miles and on your right you’ll see …

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The 1820 Market Street Cemetery

James LeRay deeded the land for this cemetery to Henry Ainsworth and

you can find graves dating back to 1820 until the late 1920s. Samuel

Mills, a veteran of the Revolution is buried here along with fifteen

veterans of the Civil War. As you enter the grave yard, you’ll notice a

tall marker with the name of Chisholm. Four members of the Chisholm

family drowned when The Wisconsin Steamer caught fire and sunk at the

head of Grenadier Island in May of 1867. The Henry Ainsworth family

and other prominent citizens such as James Buckley are also buried here.

As you go back down Market Street you’ll notice a second cemetery

behind the St. John’s Episcopal Church. This cemetery contains many

historic carved stone monuments from 1852 through the early twentieth

century, and includes citizens such as Otis Starkey and his family and

General Sacket. Continue down Market Street to Joseph Street and on the

corner on the right find the …

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John Borland House *

The John Borland House was constructed between 1818 and 1828 by

John Borland on land which he purchased from Vincent LeRay. The

small scale and simple form of the Borland House probably reflect the

necessity for economy in this frontier village, which had only eleven

houses in 1815. However, its restrained Federal details appear to reflect

a measure of prosperity, probably resulting from increased trade due to

the newly opened road to Watertown (1816) and Cape Vincent’s growing

importance as an international port.

Stuyvesant Fish donated the house to the village of Cape Vincent in 1937

to be used as a civic center. It has been known as the Community House

from that time and has been rehabilitated as a community center and

village offices.

Proceed on Joseph Street to the next house on the left which is known as the …

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James Buckley House *

The James Buckley House was built circa 1846-1850. The house is

named for its original owner, James Buckley, who with his wife,

Tryphina, purchased the property in 1845 from James LeRay. Buckley

was probably the owner of James Buckley and Son, manufactures of

shingles, doors, and blinds. The Buckleys were active members of the

community.

The James Buckley House is architecturally significant as an intact

representative example of a Gothic Cottage style residence. As the best

example of this style in Cape Vincent, it reflects the new interest, after

about 1840, in the picturesque styles that were quite different from the

Neoclassical style and vernacular house types already prevalent in the

town.

Continue on Joseph Street to the intersection with Point Street. Across the

intersection to the right is located the …

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Otis Starkey House *

The Otis Starkey House (circa 1820) is architecturally significant as a

distinctive example of formal Federal style residential architecture in

Cape Vincent. Distinguished by its stylish arcaded façade the Otis

Starkey House is the only example of this type in Cape Vincent. Its two-

story massing, three-bay side entrance plan, and formal fenestration are

characteristic of many New England Federal style residences.

The original owner was Otis Starkey, a prosperous merchant and banker,

who served as Postmaster, Town Supervisor 1853, and Village President

in 1856. He was also an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church

and donated the land on which it was built.

Proceed to Joseph Street one block to James Street. Turn right and travel

on James one block to the intersection with Lake Street. Cross the

intersection and to the right view…

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Jean du Fort House *

The Jean Philippe Galband du Fort House, built between 1818 and 1821,

is architecturally and historically significant as a distinctive, intact

example of vernacular residential architecture from Cape Vincent’s

settlement period and the only building known to have retained elaborate

original interior furnishing and decoration from the French Bonapartiste

immigrants who settled in Cape Vincent after Napoleon’s downfall. At

one time there were the unsigned oil portraits of Washington, LaFayette,

Napoleon I, and Chauteaubriand, a marble mantle piece, a chandelier,

and an ornate gilded mirror in the drawing room, which illustrated both

the republican political views and cultivated taste of Jean Philippe

Galband du Fort and Count Augustus du Fort, the original owners of the

house. In France, J.P. Galband was a knight (Chevalier les Ordre

Royales et Militaires), and held the Legion of Honor (Legion d’Honneur

of St. Louis and Maximilian de Boviere) under Napoleon. Count

Augustus du Fort served as a midshipman under Oliver Hazard Perry.

Continue three houses up James Street and on the right is the …

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General Delos Sacket House *

The General Sacket House is architecturally significant as an intact

example of a Second Empire style residence and as the most refined,

high style example in Cape Vincent. It is historically significant for its

association with its original owner, Brigadier General Delos Bennett

Sacket, a native of Cape Vincent. Built in 1872-75, the property reflects

both the wealth and prominence of General Sacket and the influence of

the Victorian era styles in the town during this period.

General Sacket was born in Cape Vincent in 1822. He graduated from

West Point in 1840, in the same class as General Sherman. He was

appointed an Inspector General under the administration of U.S. Grant, a

position he held until his death in 1885. General Sacket used the

property as a vacation home, where he entertained General Sheridan and

General McClellan among others.

Proceed back down James Street and cross Lake Street to Joseph Street, then turn

right and travel four blocks to William Street. Across the intersection and to the

right view …

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Henry Crevolin House

Henry Crevolin’s red brick house was built in the early 1840’s. It is a

vernacular structure with simplified Greek Revival styling. The

Crevolins were loyal followers of Napoleon who migrated here after the

Battled of Waterloo. Being accustomed to having servants, Madam

Crevolin brought a personal maid, Therese Chauvelot, with her from

France. She would eventually deed the house to her maid.

Turn left on William Street and travel one block to Broadway. Look

towards the water and if the view is not obstructed by stored boats

observe the …

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Cape Vincent Railroad Station

The last rail for the new Cape Vincent rail line was laid in the spring of

1852. A large train shed, hotel, freight house, and wharf were built at that

same time. September 11, 1895, was a black day in Cape Vincent as the

large train shed was totally wrecked in a windstorm that day.

One year later another passenger station was built. It was eventually

moved a short distance from its original site and renovated by F. Russell

Fitzgerald. Today it serves as a marina office and supply store.

The railroad complex ran downriver along the waterfront to the right.

Today new residences have replaced any signs of this important part of

Cape Vincent’s development. Remnants of the old coal pier and silos can

been seen, however, three blocks down river from Williams Street at the …

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Cape Vincent Waterfront Park

Cape Vincent is fortunate to have this shoreline recreation area for the

enjoyment of the public. The land was donated to the Village by the Roger

Mead family and the St. Regis Paper Company. The Village and community

groups have cooperated to develop and beautify the park.

Proceed west on Broadway and on your right view the ….

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Duvillard Mill (Cape Vincent Fisheries Station) *

The Duvillard Mill is historically and architecturally significant as Cape

Vincent’s only intact limestone industrial building, recalling a short-lived

period of industrial development in the mid-nineteenth century. The mill

was built in 1856 by Antoine Duvillard to house a stern-powered grist

mill. A subsequent owner, George Grant, sold the building to the U.S.

Government, for use as a fishery station in 1895. In 1906 alone, the

fishery station stocked over 38 million fish in the St. Lawrence, greatly

increasing the supply of game fish, particularly Whitefish. In 1965 the

building was transferred to the state of New York and is currently

operated by the Department of Environmental Conservation as a research

station and aquarium.

Continue on Broadway to Murray Street. Cross Murray and to the left is the site

where once stood the 1809 log block house built by Eber Kelsey. It served as a

hospital during the War of 1812 and thereafter as a school and town meeting

house. It was moved around the corner in 1889 and is now part of a residence. In

its place was built the …

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Ainsworth-Rider Hardware Building *

The Ainsworth-Rider Hardware Building, built in 1903, is architecturally

and historically significant as a remarkably intact representative example

of an Italianate style commercial building that reflects, by its large size

and high level of embellishment, a Cape Vincent’s commercial prosperity

in the late nineteenth century. The building originally housed a hardware

store, a theater on the second floor, and probably housing or storage on the

third floor. The theater was unique in the town and, along with the salons

and hotels which operated in the village at the time, it served an increasing

population of workers, sailors, and tourists who arrived with the expansion

of transportation and trade. It is also the former Odd Fellows’ Hall.

Across Broadway to the right can be found the …

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Henry Ainsworth House

The Henry Ainsworth House is an excellent example of early Greek

Revival architecture and was built in the early 1820’s. It features a

triangular gable with massive returns, a large frieze, and corner pilasters.

The doorway also has pilasters and sidelights with an entablature above.

The house is constructed of hand-hewn beams with interlocking joints and

wooden pegs.

Henry Ainsworth, the original owner of the house, was a very prominent

citizen of the village prior to his death in 1841. Dr. Avery Ainsworth,

Cape Vincent’s first physician, also lived here.

Next to the Ainsworth House sits the …

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Cornelius Sacket House *

The Cornelius Sacket House is architecturally significant as a remarkably

intact outstanding example of a high style Colonial Revival style

residence. The best example of the Colonial Revival style in Cape

Vincent, it was built in about 1900 by Cornelius T. Sacket, the son of

General Sacket. The house displays a high quality of design and

craftsmanship and an abundance of refined detail, reflecting the long-

established wealth and prominence of the Sacket family. Its location on

the river and its boat house and dock reflect the importance of

recreational use of the river beginning in the late nineteenth century and

continuing to the present.

The Cornelius Sacket family sold the property in 1935 to Mr. Dean, who

was a Director of the F.W. Woolworth Co. The property remains a

residence.

Next to the Sacket House on the waterfront is located the …

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Erastus Burnham House

The Erastus K. Burnham House is architecturally significant as an

outstanding example of Italianate style residential architecture in the

village of Cape Vincent. Built in 1870, the high style and large scale of

the house reflects both Cape Vincent’s mercantile prosperity in that

period and the wealth and prominence of its original owner.

Erastus K. Burnham, a wealthy grain dealer, merchant, and banker, was

the original owner of the house. He also owned the only grain elevator in

town and was president of the Bank of Cape Vincent. He served as the

Village President and was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal

Church. In 1907 he sold the property to Mrs. Nellie Casler, the author of

Cape Vincent and its History (1906).

Cross Esseltyne Street and looking towards the water note the monument and

flagpole of Veteran’s Park where twice a year the fallen solders of America’s Wars

are honored. Proceed half a block further up Broadway and view on the left the …

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Glenn Building *

The Glenn Building is architecturally and historically significant as a

remarkably intact example of a small-scale, Italianate style commercial

& residential building that reflects Cape Vincent’s mercantile expansion

in the late nineteenth century. Built circa 1887, it represents the

combination of family home and business that was characteristic of small

villages during the late nineteenth century. The Glenn Building is named

for Mr. and Mrs. Glenn who owned it from the late eighteen hundreds,

when Cape Vincent was a thriving international port and mercantile

center for the surrounding area, until 1940. Mrs. Glenn operated a candy

store in the storefront and Mr. Glenn sold paint in the building at the rear

of the property. The storefront had been used for a liquor store since

1940 and most recently it is used as a seasonal gift shop.

Continue to the end of the block to James Street, turn right and travel back to the

Historical Museum. Just beyond the Museum on the water is the …

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Ferry Landing

The old ferries connected this wilderness community to civilization in

Canada. They initially were powered by work horses walking on

treadmills attached to paddles. These were eventually replaced by diesel

engines. The ferry has been operated by one family, the Hornes, for over

a century.

The view across the water is of Wolfe Island, Canada, where the ferry

docks. Another larger ferry can take you from Wolfe Island to Kingston,

Ontario. Many of the older established families of Cape Vincent were of

Canadian (especially Wolfe Island) origin.

The historic ice bridge from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island allowed trade

and travel to continue throughout the winter. US and Canadian Customs

remained open, one on each side of the border.

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Also in the waterscape is Cape Vincent’s Breakwall. In 1899, the town

fathers wished to have a safer harbor protected from fierce storms from

the northeast. Work was completed on the structure in 1906. One of the

original lights on the Breakwater can be viewed in front of the town

buildings located on the right as you travel out of the village about one

mile up Market Street (12E).

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35

This completes the Village Tour. We hope you enjoyed the tour and we thank

you for your interest.

The basis for this Historic Guide is a booklet that was published many years

ago by the Cape Vincent Improvement League. In order to provide wider

public access, we have changed the format to be more suitable for the

internet and included updated color photos. Over time, we will provide two

additional sections to this booklet: “The Tibbetts Point Tour” and the

“Countryside Tour”.

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Bibliography

Bonney, Clair, French Emigre Houses in Jefferson County. Basel,

Switzerland: Glaser and Weisskopf, 1985.

Cape Vincent Historial Society, Cape Vincent 1615 to the Present. Cape

Vincent, NY, 1973.

Casler, Nelie, Cape Vincent and Its History, Watertown, NY: Hungerford

and Holbrook Co., 1906.

Coughlin, Jere, Jefferson County Centennial 1905. Watertown, NY:

Hungerford and Holbrook Co., 1905.

Child, Hamilton, Compiler. Geographical Gazeteer of Jefferson County,

NY. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Journal Company, 1890.

Durant & Pierce, Compilers. History of Jefferson County, New York

(1797-1878). Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co.,1878.

Gould, Ernest. “French Gentry Aided Settlement of Jefferson County”,

Bulletin of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Vol 7, No. 3, pp 8-

10.

Haddock, John A., Compiler. Haddock’s Centennial History of Jefferson

County, New York. Philadelphia, PA: Sherman & Co., 1894.

Hough, Franklin B. History of Jefferson County in the State of New

York. Albany, NY: J. Munsell, 1854.

Hungerford, Edward. “Old Houses in the North Country”, Country Life

in America, Vol.24, pp 60-62.

Hutchinson, Ann E. Along the Trail and Into the Past. Watertown, NY:

St. Lawrence-Eastern Ontario Commission, 1986.

37

Bibliography (2)

Johnson, Harold. “Story of Early French in Jefferson County”,

Watertown Daily Times, August 18, 1947, np.

Landon, H.F. The North Country. Indianapolis, IN: Historic Publishing

Co., 1932.

Lane, David. “James Donatien LeRay de Chaumont 1760-1960”.

Bulletin of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Vol 1, No. 4,

November 1960, pp 3-14.

Ibid. “Old Houses of the North County”, series, Watertown Daily

Times, 1939-1945.

McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to America’s Houses. New

York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1984.

Robinson’s Atlas of Jefferson County, New York. New York, NY: E.

Robinson, 1888.

Wilder, Patrick. Seaway Trail Guidebook to the War of 1812. Oswego,

NY: Seaway Trail, Inc., 1987.

Daughters of the American Revolution. The American Monthly

Magazine, Vol. 28. January – June 1906, pp 64-65.

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