Photography,  Writing

The Exploration Of Tahawus, New York

Shatter - Tahawus, New York

Tahawus (also called Adirondac, Adirondak, or McIntyre) was a village in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County, New York, USA. It is now a ghost town situated in Adirondack Park. Tahawus is located in Essex County within the unpopulated northern area designated to the town of Newcomb.  Tahawus was the site of major mining and iron smelting operations in the 19th century. Although standing as recently as 2005, the last mining facilities have since been demolished and removed (with the exception of some minor garages, blast furnaces and outbuildings).

In 1940 a new mine opened, this time for the purpose of obtaining the titanium dioxide that had been partly responsible for the previous mine’s commercial failure. In 1940 National Lead Industries reopened the mines along Sanford Lake. This location, known as the Lower Works, was about a mile south of the original operation. A new community was established in 1943 for the mine workers which was called Tahawus. By 1945, Tahawus had 84 buildings. Some of the buildings left over at Adirondac were also used. Forty million tons of titanium were extracted at the National Lead Industries’ mines before operations ceased in 1989. By the time the second mining operation closed in 1989 it had produced 40 million tons of titanium.  – Wikipedia

September 2013

16 Comments

  • Maury Cheskes

    40 million tons of titanium is a huge bracket. I wonder how Tahawus will develop in the next few years and if mining companies will return. Thanks for the detailed look and intriguing photos.

  • Danielle M

    These pictures definitely tell a story, I like how nature is taking the course but the place is sill in good conditions.

  • Roy

    This is a classic example of how human activities can devastate the environment. I feel bad for the people who had to move away 🙁

    • Meg Dondero

      It really was a beautiful place from everything I’ve seen of it in my grandmother’s home movies & family photos/slides (1926-1956) – She & grandpa built their cottage in 1931-32, and grandpa’s parents owned the cottage next to theirs since at least the early 1920s. (WRK Taylor Jr cottage & “Lazy Lodge.”) It’s a shame the village buildings weren’t kept up / preserved.

      Thanks so much for posting all these pics and info!

      Meg Dondero

      PS – If anyone would like to see home movies of Tahawus (1920s – 40s), I’ve recently uploaded them to YouTube. I’m in the process of scanning all their photos, negatives & slides, and have posted some on the Facebook group, Adirondack Low Peaks & Lands.)

  • Miaka Yuuki

    It looks like a storm came in and left??? This is a rundown spot and one that that will collapse easily.

  • brainedet

    That was a huge production there, a whole 40 million tons but now it’s a ghost town too bad. Thanks for sharing this.

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