Watertown,
New York perches at the gateway to the famed Thousand
Island Region. One of upstate
New York's oldest communities, Watertown settlers
determined to create an industrial center in the midst
of the rugged scenic beauty here. Leashing the power
of the mighty Black
River, the town grew to be one of the country's
primary paper manufacturers. The second oldest
continuously running mill is found here, Knowlton
Specialty Papers. The pioneering spirit and Yankee
ingenuity of Watertown residents continues to this
day.
Situated
seventy miles north of Syracuse
and thirty miles south of Canada,
Watertown is the seat of Jefferson
County. The county's largest city, it is the
commercial and cultural hub for the region. The Jefferson
Community College calls the city home, offering
the county the finest in higher education. Census 2000
numbered Watertown's population at 26,075.
Lake
Ontario sparkles at Jefferson County's western
edge, supplying Watertown residents with year-round
outdoor fun. Boating, diving and fishing opportunities
abound, on both the lake and Black River, where
whitewater flows. The immense Great
Lake dynamically affects Watertown's climate. The
warm waters lend humidity to the winter air masses
crossing from the west, and huge snowfalls can descend
on the city. The yearly snow total is 100 inches, but
as much as 200 have been reported. Snowmobiles and
sleds adorn the area then, and ice fishermen delight
in the hard-frozen lake. Lake Ontario also keeps
summer temperatures moderate, rarely reaching over 80
degrees.
Watertown,
New York remains a lovely city, with many splendid
19th century homes and buildings. The Downtown
District created a 21-stop walking
tour showcasing the best of the grand and ornate
architecture. Many unique boutiques and shops
are found here, and plenty of dining
opportunities. Watertown is home to two fine museums,
the Jefferson County Historical Society, where
historians may study the archives of this colorful
region, and the Sci
Tech Center, containing a plethora of interactive
displays. In nearby historic Ogdensburg,
the Frederick
Remington Art Museum is housed, and the Sackets
Harbor Battlefield Site is a short drive. The Greater
Watertown Area offers a number of fine attractions.
Watertown
residents can find all they need within their city.
For those craving the lights of a brighter city, Ontario
and Syracuse are each under an hour's drive on
Interstate 81. Watertown, New
York is surrounded by phenomenal scenery, boasts a
low crime rate and cost of living, and a close
proximity to major metropolises.
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