It is told by Jefferson County Histories that Bull and Walton commenced a store in Plessis in 1820. Just where or how long it ran, no one seems to remember.

Later a store was owned by " The Farmer Company, composed of Jonothon (sic) Thompson, Joseph Thompson, Ashley Tanner, Charles Rundlett, and three others. Later it was sold to Harvey Parker, then to Alpheus Parker and Ferdinand Fairman; then to Wilcox and Smith; then to Wallace Foster. Later, it was sold to Frederick Ahles, who ran it for 30 years, keeping feed, flour, boots and shoes. In the rear he had a repair shop. Leroy Priest had a barber shop and poolroom in the front. This store stood where the Makepeace store now stands.

Near this store was a dwelling owned by Joseph Thompson. Later it was sold to Silas Corliss who built another store. At one time this store was used as a schoolroom, where Mrs. Corliss's adopted daughter taught a select school. It was also used as a shoe shop and a millinery shop. Later it was sold to Sol Makepeace. The Post Office was also in this store. After Sol Makepeace, it was owned by Makepeace Brothers (Claude and Frank). The whole corner including both buildings were burned in 1922. Makepeace Brothers rebuilt the present store. The store was later owned by Harvey Makepeace. Harvey built an addition in 1945 and in 1948. Paul Makepeace, Harvey's son, took over the store January 1964. In August 1973, Paul leased the store to Ross and Carrie Frizzell.

A small frame house stood on the site of the Hubert Collins' property. In 1832, it was owned by one of the Thompson boys. In 1853, H. L. Scott built a new home on the same lot, moving the old house back. Scott also built a large shop in 1860 which he used for manufacturing wagons. This shop was later known as the Grange Hall. Later the Ladies Auxiliary of the Plessis Firemen bought the Hall and used it for a meeting place. Before being used as a Grange Hall, it was owned by Albert Williams, then Massey, a tinsmith.

The Old Hotel was built in 1828. L. Hax built an addition quite a few years later. John Bates ran it. Later, Mert Reed bought the Hotel. In 1950 'Hube' Collins bought it. In October 1969, Harvey and William Makepeace bought it, tearing down what remained of the Hotel. They built a new shop on the lot and was known as William Makepeace Auto and Repair Shop.

Edwin Tanner had a store in the Stone Store in the 1840's. This is the present Agway Store. Other owners were Sanford Suits, Eli Phelps, Comstock and Bidleman, Bidleman and Sterling. These two dissolved partnership, Sterling going (to) Sterlingville (part of Fort Drum now); Bidleman going to Theresa to run a Tailor Shop. The next owner was Joseph Fayel; then Sol Makepeace and McAllister;, then Sol Makepeace and George Augsbury. Later Makepeace sold out and bought across the road. Others were Augsbury and Wilcox (M. R.). Wilcox sold out in 1900. It was later over by Plessis Cooperative. They were owners for over 20 years. Carl Leonhardt was the next owner, who sold to Harold Gill in 1954. Later it was sold to the Evans Mills Agway and was known as the Plessis Branch of the Evans Mills Agway.

Across the street where the present Agway Feed Store now stands was a store built by Willard Shurtleff. Other owners have been Shurtleff and Clark; Alex and Morgan Augsbury; Vanderburg and Avery; H. Hoyt. His wife ran a millinery shop. In the rear, were living quarters. S. G. Porter was the next owner. In 1905 or 1906 (he) kept a Feed Store. In 1907 Robert Allen bought it. He later ran a general store.

M. J. Storms built a shoe shop in the early 1840's. This is next to the Feed Store. This was later bought by Daniel Roof. He, with Charles Comstock, built a store, running a shoe and grocery business. This was later owned by Frizzell and Phelps, then B. Ostrander. In 1886 James Wisnell bought it and built a house adjoining the store. In the store was a grocery and drug business. It was sold to John Lehr. Later William Hoard had a general store and poolroom. It was then bought by Merton Reed and used as a residence. The place was bought by Frank Ward. Later it was sold to August Frazier.

At one time there were two dams, one near the main road, the other down the creek back of what is now Fred Weller's place. A grist mill was built by LeRay between the dam and the bridge in 1817. Later it was owned by Clark and Shurtleff. They rebuilt it in 1830. A two family mill house, toward what it now Wilton Smith's home (the old cheese factory), stood opposite the mill. In the early 1870's it was sold to Wilton Hoard. He built a cheese factory and operated both for a few years.

John Henry Cline had a sawmill near the second dam. After a few years Mr. Cline added steam power. He ran the business for 20 years. One night his business and residence were destroyed by fire. He also ran a grist mill along with his sawmill. Everything was burned including the business and home in 1903.

The first Blacksmith Shop was built by Peter Suits in 1815 or 1816. It was nearly on the site of Agway Feed Store. Suits later built the stone shop which was toward the creek from the present Hotel. This was later made into a carriage shop by Norton Brothers. This burned in 1869.

There was a bridge over the creek. The bridge was originally a wooden structure. The following story is told of the bridge: At one time in the long ago, the bridge was undergoing repairs and was not floored, either was it guarded. A man by the name of Springer, who lived half a mile or more toward Theresa, had been away several days at work and returning at night not knowing the condition of the bridge, evidently started his horse across on one of the stringers. His horse was found the next morning standing on the edge of the road, but the rider was drowned. His remains were carried into the basement of the Old Stone Church, where Simon Shaver spent one night alone with the dead, the courage of the lone watcher.

Norton Brothers built a new shop on the other side of the bridge. This was a grist mill and sawmill. Tassey was also a partner with one of the Norton boys. They also had a blacksmith shop. This was later run by Gene Collins. The blacksmith shop was located between the Old Stone Church and the sawmill. The grist mill. The Grist Mill burned in 1939. Horatio Norton continued to run a sawmill for several years. In 1952 Clarence Comstock bought the property and operated a sawmill. When the new road was built between West Corners and Brown's Corners in 1963 and 1964, the mill nearest the road was burned. Roy and Douglas Williams and Richard Fitchette bought the sawmill.

The Old Stone Church was built in 1833 as a Union Church. School was also held there. At one time cattle were housed there. At one time there were steps on the end toward Plessis. David Bearup, on his way to farm, noticed that it was about to be demolished. John Cline, having bought it and was going to tear it down. Mr. Bearup, having had many associations with the church, bought it, repaired it, redecorated it, put in a furnace, making it into a Hall. A great many years after it was given to the Plessis M. E. Church. Later it was sold to Floyd Burnham and then to Clarence Comstock.

Half way from Harry Penn's Hill near the spring was Carter's Tannery built in 1821.

Beyond Clifton Slate's house toward the road to Wilton Smith's was a house used for a Photographic Studio.

There was a two-story structure built by Adam's (sic) beyond Frank Booth's house. The lower floor was used for a tenant house; the upper floor, for a Hall. It being the Lodge Room for #297 F. A. M. Later the lodge was moved to Alexandria Bay. It was also used by the M. E. Society for meetings. Later. it was sold to H. P. Hoyt; then to Samuel Hoyt; then to Joseph Tassey; and then to Byron Ostrander. He rented the upper floor to Companion Court, I. O. F. The Justice Office was also here. The lower floor was used as undertaking parlors. Later, this building was moved across the road and used as a Barber Shop by Archie White. This is now owned by Virgil Reynolds.

Peter Bretsch used to have a meat shop on the site where Virgil's Barber Shop is now.

Note: This draft was updated in 1976. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to update this article about Plessis Business Places?

February 16, 2012: Judy Dickout Pierce, who lives in Plessis, sent the same above article to me. It's a little easier to read than the article above. It also clearly indicates that Rena Putnam was the author of the revision. It is especially helpful that a Plessis native and former resident took great care in accurately updating this business history.