These photographs of the hamlet of Stone Mills in the Town of Orleans were provided to this site through the thoughtfulness of Jerry Reed, coordinator of Lewis and Otsego Counties, but with roots in Jefferson. They were taken around the turn of the century, as the clothes reflect. Stone Mills is now the site of the Northern New York Agricultural Museum, well worth visiting by anyone interested in the previous century.
The cheese factory is a reminder of the prominent place dairy farming played in the beginning of our county. Jefferson County is still third in New York State in dairy production.
The Collins home belonged to the family which included the founder of Stone Mills. For a group sheet of the Collins family, return to the Town of Orleans and click on the highlighted Collins name. The picture shows the Ellis family: Charlie Ellis, Paul, Dora Ellis. It also shows William Collins, the owner of the house, and an unidentified woman.
The deLaFarge mansion was the home of one of the French landowners in the Town of Orleans.
Stone Mills had a one room district school. All the scholars for this year are shown in this picture. Names are forthcoming.
Stone Mills Cheese Factory
Collins House in Stone Mills
de LaFarge Mansion near Stone Mills
Stone Mills School with Students and Teacher
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