“On June 3, 1845, the villagers stood in amazement as the striped black and white uniforms of the incoming draft of convicts marched from Plattsburgh to the main gate. Each had his attached ball and chain, which was also an unusual sight. The contingent of 50 men came from Mount Pleasant Prison, and to them the sight of the area must have been bewildering. Each one was probably wondering about his crime and if it was worth being sent to this forsaken spot in the Adirondacks.”

—Dannemora: Images of America by Rod Bigelow and Walter “Pete” Light