REDWOOD, -- Redwood is not an incorporated village, altho the home of from 450 to 500 persons, but few communities in Jefferson county are known more widely, for it is one of the gateways to the Thousand islands as the railroad terminus of Alexandria Bay, and every antique dealer recognizes it as the birthplace of “Redwood glass.”

Glass brought Redwood into existence, the name even an off-set from “Redfield,” once location of a leading glass factory, and the making of glass from the crushed sandstone of the neighborhood, was its first, its principal and primarily its only industry. Its plant produced window panes, the varied notations that command antique dealers today having been the individual creation of the glass blowers.

Glass long has ceased to be a product of Redwood as has iron mining, once practiced on its outskirts, but nature, which provided the sandstone and the ore, has cared thoughtfully for the region, setting the community in the midst of a profusion of lakes and beauty spots possessed today as summer homes and vacation ideals.

Butterfield lake, long and narrow, extends to the foot of the village. Millsite lake is but a step and beyond them are numerous other bodies of fresh and sparkling waters, set beneath forests and precipitous heights and sending their waters northward thru Indian river. Syracuse Boy Scouts council has located its summer camp on Millsite and there are other resorts, including a girls’ camp and lines of cottages owned by residents from Central and Southern New York and even other states.

To this numerous seasonal population Redwood is a base with postoffice, bank, railroad and bus services, stores and restaurants. It has four churches, Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist and Lutheran, a district school and high school with a recently added gym and auditorium. It comprises a fire and light district, has improved streets and its residents enjoy village facilities.

Until recent years Mud lake, lapping the southerly edge of the hamlet, was scene of a spirited annual winter ice meet but Redwood did not join the race circuit renewed a few years ago by Clayton, Ogdensburg and Heuvelton.

Occasionally an agitation has appeared for incorporating but each time the majority have registered opposition, believing the community as well provided with facilities at lower cost than would attend villagehood. Its main lack is a water system which the fire department has endeavored to supply thru cisterns, a dry line northwesterly from the fire station, and a pipe from the gristmill pumps.

One of the community’s most widely known landmarks, the Dollinger house, originally a tavern on the military highway projected from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain, was razed last fall after being empty for several years. It was built by Poncratus Dollinger, who sailed from Germany with John Jacob Astor but declined Astor’s suggestion that he remain in New York city. Thru Dollinger, Astor gave the funds from which was purchased the bell now calling services at the Catholic church.

Note: Three photos concerning Redwood were shown on the scrapbook page: 1)

“Two Redwood halls. Fire department building at left, Odd Fellows hall at right.” 2) “A marble statue of Christ adorns the grounds of the Catholic church, set far back from the highway.” 3) “Redwood has its own bank.” None included here.