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
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.
These photos tells how the old town works. Hope they can regain this city back.
These pictures definitely tell a story, I like how nature is taking the course but the place is sill in good conditions.
I have never heard of tawahus before..thanks for sharing..Nice one
The pictures itself tell its story. I wanna see a ghost town myself.
This is a classic example of how human activities can devastate the environment. I feel bad for the people who had to move away 🙁
Titanium is a very dangerous material. I hope the area isn’t too radioactive.
Tahawus looks like it was a beautiful place before the mining. So sad to see it in this state.
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.â€) 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.)
Please by all means, post the links as a reply to this comment!
The ghost town should be put to some use. It doesn’t look good being abandoned like this.
A whole town with no one in it! I would be so scared walking there.
It looks like a storm came in and left??? This is a rundown spot and one that that will collapse easily.
Love to hear history of a place. I hope that this place will soon rise again into a beautiful town.
That was a huge production there, a whole 40 million tons but now it’s a ghost town too bad. Thanks for sharing this.