A short history of Potsdam sandstone:

Around 520 million years ago the sandy beaches that would become Potsdam sandstone were laid down as marine waters began to encroach upon the continent. As the waters continued to move towards the northwest, these beaches were submerged and then slowly covered by sediment that settled out of the sea. This sediment would eventually become thousands of feet of stone (called dolomite), which would later erode, exposing the sandstone below.

It was Sir John Johnson (a loyalist leader during the American Revolution) who first took notice of the stone and its potential as a building material. This was while he followed the Raquette River through Hannawa Falls, on his way to Montreal, as he fled colonial forces sent for his arrest in 1776.

However it would not be until 1809, with the establishment of the Parmeter quarry south of the Village of Potsdam, that this often colorful stone would be put to use in construction.

A more in depth history of Potsdam sandstone by Jim Carl is available at our downloads link on the left of your screen - click on: History of Potsdam Sandstone.

Potsdam sandstone structures:

                    

ABOVE: The Nathan Parmeter Sr. House is a one-and-one half story, three-by-three bay modest Federal Style residence constructed of Potsdam Sandstone. The most distinct feature of this building is its unusual slab-and-binder method of construction, in which the stone is laid so the grain direction alternates with each course. The house includes an origianal fireplace with beehive oven, ash pit and original crane and hooks. It was added to the National Registry in June 2003.

ABOVE: IN 1932 the new Potsdam Post Office was under construction. This view was taken from the back of the Methodist Church looking north. Captured in this photograph are 3 sandstone homes built by stone mason, George Train. On the far right of the photo is 16 Elm Street, "The Pert House" built of brick and painted white. The house to the left of it is 14 Elm Street, where the HSBC bank now stands and the next house to the left is 12 Elm Street. Both these houses were raised to build modern commercial buildings. At the far left is the "John Call House" built in 1823. It is the Elks Club of Potsdam and retains many original features.

Timeline of Sandstone Buildings

1821 ~ Sewell Raymond Shop,  now - Little Italy Pizzeria

(Below)

1823 ~ John Call House, now - Elk’s Lodge

(below)

1827 ~ Woodstock Lodge (Clarkson University)

1828 ~ 99 Market St.

1830’s ~ Clarkson Knowles Cottage 37 Main Street

1832 ~ Alpha Epsilon Pi at 29 Main Street

1836 ~ David Clarkson House at 30 Leroy Street

1836 ~ Trinity Episcopal Church (below)

1835 ~ Zenas Clark Building (Isle of You)

1837 ~ Aaron Hopkins House

1840 ~ Aaron Hopkins Shop (Chamber of Commerce)

1868 ~ Presbyterian Church

1871 ~ Potsdam Water Works (below)

1877 ~ Unitarian Church (Civic Center, alterations and rebuilding in 1934)

1888 ~ Charles Cox Building (Maxfield’s Restaurant)

1896 ~ Old Main (below)

1898 ~ St. Mary’s Catholic Church (below)

1900~ Bayside Cemetery Gatehouse (below)

1901 ~ Clarkson Land Office Building

1914 ~ Potsdam Depot (Mama Lucia’s)

1917 ~  Snell Hall

1920 ~ 73 Elm St. (Private residence)