Newton Falls, New York: A Legacy of Industry and Renewal

Nestled in the northwestern Adirondack Mountains, Newton Falls is a hamlet in St. Lawrence County, New York, situated within the Adirondack Park. Once a bustling industrial center, it now stands as a testament to the region’s resilience and adaptability.

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Industrial Roots

The history of Newton Falls is deeply intertwined with its paper mill, which began operations in 1894. Over the years, the mill changed ownership several times, with notable periods under McGraw-Hill and later Swedish company.  In 1996, Appleton Papers acquired the mill, but it ceased operations in 2000 due to economic pressures. Attempts to revive the mill were made, including a brief reopening in 2007 as Newton Falls Fine Paper Company, but it ultimately closed in 2011.

 

Community Impact

The mill’s closure had a profound effect on the local community. At its peak, the mill employed hundreds of residents, and the town of Newton Falls grew up around it to house workers. By the time the mill closed in 2000, the hamlet’s population had dwindled to about 100 residents.​

 

Renewal and Future Prospects

In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the area. In 2020, Andy Leroux, a former mill employee, purchased over 100 acres of land behind the old mill site. With the help of a grant from National Grid’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program, he cleaned up the property and plans to develop a Christmas tree farm, maple syrup retail outlet, fishing and hunting lodge, and campground.​

 

Visual History

For those interested in the visual history of Newton Falls, several archival photos are available:

• 1900s Mill Complex: A photograph from the early 1900s showing the Newton Falls Paper Mill complex, highlighting its industrial scale .​North Country At Work

• 1940s-50s Operations: A collection of images from the 1940s and 50s offering an inside look at the mill’s operations during that era .​North Country At Work

• Abandoned Mill Interiors: Photographs capturing the interior of the abandoned Newton Falls Paper Mill, providing a glimpse into its final years .​Untapped New York

Newton Falls, NY, serves as a poignant example of the rise and fall of industrial communities in the Adirondacks. While the closure of the paper mill marked the end of an era, the ongoing efforts to repurpose the land signify a hopeful future for this resilient hamlet.