Taken on 04/03/11
"Pillboxes", Stony Point/Henderson Harbor area, Wehle State Park
If you are interested in this area and the trails to get there click here for a trail's page.
From the display at the Wehle State Park:  'During World War I, infantry troops from Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor used this property as a training range for anti-aircraft firing practice. Military "pillboxes" and a firing wall along the cliffs are still visible.'
The pillbox shown above is on the 'Dancing Gypsy' trail, on the edge of a steep cliff, near the farthest northern point on the trail system and beside the artillery wall (see three rows below).

 

Taken on 06/29/06
A small mowed area off the main trail, leading to one of the pillboxes
This park has nice walking/biking trails and picnic areas, but some of the trail maps are wrong (2010 update - the trails seemed to have been updated now for the most part).  One of the pillboxes has lawn mowed up to it but the other two nearby you must look for, these can all be seen from the water also. 
Updated summer 2007 - More trails now are open.  My Wehl Park trails page.

Taken on 06/29/06
Pillbox
According to the Henderson Historical Society's website; an 860+ acre rifle range on Stony Point was built in the 1880's for Army training for soldiers at Madison Barracks and Fort Ontario (Oswego).  Practice firing was out over the lake.
In 1925 the range was used for anti-aircraft practice and the Army built the "pillboxes" shown in these photos, later a concrete road was built to the range and in 1946 the practice range was declared surplus and the land sold.

Taken on 06/29/06
Another Pillbox
From an account (from the Watertown Daily Times) by Mr. Amos C. "Andy" Cambron, who had been stationed at the "pillboxes" sometime in the early 1940's.  Soldiers would practice by using machine guns mounted on vehicles to shoot at sleeve targets towed by airplanes and spotters manned the pillboxes to warn the practicing gunners of any boats nearby.  Thanks to Kurt H. for the reference.

Taken on 06/29/06
Close-up view

Taken on 06/29/06
Yet another

Taken on 06/29/06
And another

Taken on 06/29/06
Side view of last

Taken on 06/29/06
Some more ruins I found in the brush off from one of the trails near the pillboxes, these are likely part of Wehle's dog farm building.

Taken on 04/03/11

Taken on 02/02/2020

This is along the 'Dancing Gypsy' trail and is down the steep hill, photo taken through the trees.  These seem to be concrete walled buildings , no easy way to get close to it them as the hill is steep.

Taken on 04/03/11
Panoramic shot of the artillery wall along the 'Dancing Gypsy' trail at Whele Park, see more info at the top of this page.



On 4/9/13 roblgabe2013 writes: "There are many of these all over the U.S. There was one on the end of Presqile(SP?) Beach State Park, Eire, PA, back in the early seventies. It's probably gone now as they have made some improvments since. There would have been a urinal on each end of the wall(berm)."

Taken on 04/03/11
A closer shot and different angle of the artillery wall structure.

A view along the top, it's still in fairly good condition and is quite long. The are rusted bolts along the top edge but otherwise it is featureless concrete.

Taken on 08/15/06
Some old foundations.  Decker Road, Lewis County(?)

Taken on 07/??/05, picture submitted by Rita
This is an abandoned farmhouse on the top of Tug Hill on the way to Lowville on Route 177 (leaving Route 81)  

Unknown date, picture submitted by Rita
Small rental cabin, on the St. Lawrence River, just south of Ogdensburg  

 Taken on 07/??/97, picture submitted by Rita
Mill in Rossie
More photos of this mill also on page 4
A link on the history of Rossie and the mills is here.



Colleen M. tells us - "This photo is actually of the Grist Mill in Rossie. It was built around 1825. Recently the upper most portion of the mill was taken down for safety reasons however, the archway that runs through the building remains intact."

Linda M. writes that "This pic is the ruins of the old Melrose Grist Mill in Rossie."

Robert Melrose writes "My grandfather, Robert Melrose owned this mill from the mid 1870s untill 1916.  Previous to that he owned the grist mill in Philadelphia N.Y."

Taken on 09/20/06
On Route 3 (Arsenal Street), near the Salmon Run Mall, Town of Watertown



Tammy A. writes: "I noticed that this house is now gone."
Frederick C: "This looks like the former Miller farm and residence. Other buildings were a barn, garage/slaughter house, and farm managers home. Mr. Miller owned a butcher shop on Arsenal Street.  When I visited the site in 1999 the house was the only building standing."

Taken on 10/25/06
Old schoolhouse in good condition on corner of Tryon Road and Rainbow Shores Rd, near Sandy Beach Park.
Correction - dibbus1987 tells us that "this is actually the corner of Tryon Rd. and Ouderkirk Road, not Rainbow Shores Rd."



Jason F. writes: "I am interested in purchasing this property. Does anyone know how to get a hold of the owners?"
On 11/11/12 dibbus1987 writes "My Mom is a Tryon and she went to this school until 8th grade!"

Taken on 10/25/06
Old house on Route 3 near Sandy Creek area

Taken on 10/25/06
Same house as previous

Taken on 10/25/06
Old house on Route 11, outside of Pulaski

Taken on 10/25/06
Another view of previous

Taken on 10/25/06
Part of the barn which goes with the previous shot 

Taken on 10/25/06
Possibly an old schoolhouse?  Corner of Balcher Road and Route 11, near Mannsville



Vera Y. writes "I believe this location is Balch Place, just north of the intersection of Route 11 and Ridge Rd, or County Route 22."