Detail of the 1923 Santa Clara Quadrangle USGS map (surveyed in 1921) showing Madawaska. Blue Mountain is called Azure Mountain today. 
An abandoned house on the shore of Madawaska Flow Madawaska is a pond and a former community between Azure Mountain and Meacham Lake. The pond is both fed and drained by the Quebec Brook. The Madawaska Flow-Quebec Brook Primitive Area surrounds it. The Northern Adirondack Railroad reached Madawaska in 1886.
"Madawaska" is a place name in New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine. The name "Madawaska" comes from the Miꞌkmaq words madawas (porcupine) and kak (place).
Plattsburgh Sentinel, June 18, 1886
FRANKLIN'S NEW LUMBER REGION
The Northern Adirondack Railroad; Moira to Buck Mountain;
One Man Power, Lumber Camps, Sawmills and Tanneries.
(Correspondence of the Canton Advertiser).
The new railroad, known as the "Northern Adirondack," begins at the Moira depot, on the Ogdensburgh and Lake Champlain railroad, and runs southerly up and around hills, to an incipient lumber camp now known as Buck Mountain, where the forest is being cleared away and sawmill is about to be erected…
…Spring Cove, the next place on the line of the projected road—as yet only a place in name and on paper—is located in about the same kind of timber and soil as Santa Clare. [sic] The next place on the line is called Madawaska, not yet built, 29 1/2 miles from Moira, and then Paul Smith's station, where the railroad is expected to reach at some future time, but which now only exists in the imagination as a railroad terminus. This prospective "station" is some miles from the famous summer resort so widely known as "Paul Smith’s.”
Plattsburgh Republican, May 19, 1888
Xavier Dubois of Three Rivers, Canada was drowned in Madawaska pond, Franklin county, May 9, while driving logs.
Adirondack News, 29 September 1888
About 40 feet of the Madawaska railroad bridge has gone down. The bridge extended over a marsh and doubtless the relent rains washed away the foundation so that it went down. All trains were on this side of the bridge, therefore no trains have been to Brandon for several days. The bridge is being repaired and the trains will soon be making their regular trips.
Adirondack News, August 18, 1894
J. W. Alfred went to his camp at Madawaska this week with quite a number of city sportsmen. The hunting season opened Wednesday and the Adirondacks will be the popular resort of city people for the next two months.
Edwin R. Wallace, Wallace’s Guide to the Adirondacks, Syracuse, 1894, p. 180
...But the boast of this locality is the "Sixteen-Mile Level" on the St. Regis, beginning 3 m.[mile] above (S. E.) the Blue Mt. House. This grand secluded reach of boatable stillwater furnishes some of the best trout fishing and deer hunting the entire region offers. Three miles up the Level, Quebec Brook, with 2 mouths, the outlet of Madawaska and Quebec P's, enters the river, E. The former sheet, famous for deer and large trout, 5 m. up the stream, may be reached by boat, if we carry half the way. It is said that many years since an old Indian bearing the name of "Quebec" followed the outlet of Quebec to the St. Regis and there planted on the banks an ash tree, still standing and of large size, which originated the name.* One m. S. W. of Madawaska P., is
Malone Palladium, May 17, 1894
Otter Pond, a great duck resort.
From Madawaska P. we carry 2 m. S. E. to Quebec P. (the stream connecting them being unnavigable), and thence I m. S. to Folingsby Jr. P., which is only 3 m. by road from Paul Smith's, S. E.
Wolf P. (No. 2) lies about 2 m. N. E. of Madawaska P. In the vicinity rise Madawaska and Rice Mts.
*"Quebec" is said to have been "Capt." Peter Sabattis, father of the famous Mitchell Sabattis.
Adirondack News, March 30, 1895
Joe Alfred is shipping sawdust from this place for his ice house at Madawaska.
Adirondack News, May 25, 1895
W. J. Alfred has finished his house at Madawaska and is now in excellent shape to entertain devotees of the rod.
Malone Palladium, August 6, 1896
Madawaska section foreman`s house, tool house and bunk house, a converted rail car. The section foreman and his family lived in the house, the tools and pump car were in the tool house and the members of the section gang lived in the converted rail car. ICC photograph, 1918, courtesy of Tim Mayers
John Winslow and Ed. Flynn caught, on Saturday, at Madawaska, Alfred's summer resort, 315 fish, all being over the limit of the law, of course, in the remarkably short space of 50 minutes. How's that for good fishing?
Adirondack News, June 24, 1899
W. J. Alfred has been at work connecting the Waverly House and his summer hotel at Madawaska, by telephone. The work was completed Thursday and the line is now in good working order.
Franklin Gazette, August 25, 1899
The station at Madawaska, with a sign reading "Camp Madawaska
ICC photograph, 1918, courtesy of Tim Mayers
The party of Malone hunters who went to Madawaska last week secured seven deer in three days, which breaks the local record for this season. Contractor Howard, who shot two of the seven, informs us that none of this venison was bought, although it came pretty high.
Malone Farmer, September 12, 1900
The Wiedman Stave and Heading Co. have quite a force at work at Santa Clara, where they are repairing the old mill and, building a brick boiler house. They also have a large force in the woods near Spring Cove and Madawaska carting timber and building railroads. They will build one spur about two miles long and two or three other lines of about one mile each for this season's use.—Adirondack News.
Malone Farmer, April 24, 1901
Fifty Italians have gone to Madawaska, above St. Regis Falls, to work on the branch railroad now being constructed by the Weidmann Stave and Heading Mills.
Chateaugay Record and Franklin County Democrat, February 7, 1902
Will Martin, a guide, making his home at McColloms, two miles from Paul Smith's, was found frozen to death Tuesday morning, six miles from Madawaska. He started Sunday right from Madawaska station to go to Rice's Pond, a distance of four miles, and evidently became snow bound and overcome by the fierce blizzard that prevailed Sunday night. His dead body was found by a searching party, made up from Madawaska and McCollom's, where he had from all appearances fallen exhausted along the roadside.
Malone Farmer, February 12, 1902
FOUND FROZEN TO DEATH.
Particulars Regarding the Death of William Martin in the Adirondacks.
The sad death of William Martin, an Adirondack guide, near C. A. McArthur's hotel in Brighton during the storm last week has cast a gloom over this entire section. Since the first reports were printed much additional information has been received which prove the heroic struggle which Martin made to bring assistance to his companion, who was ill. It appears that Martin and Ed. Rork left McArthur's Sunday morning to look after a set of traps that Martin had on the St. Regis river. They had dinner at the hotel on Madawaska formerly conducted by W. J. Alfred, and started back about 4:30 in the afternoon. Ordinarily they would have covered the distance, six miles, in a short time, but the walking was hard and the wind kept the air so full of snow that traveling was exceedingly difficult.
They abandoned an open trail through a clearing for one through the woods hoping to escape the storm's fury some what. Darkness came on quickly and only by striking matches could the blazed trees along the trail be followed. To add to their troubles Rork was taken with cramps and found it impossible to proceed further. Martin volunteered to push on to McArthur's and return with assistance, Rork agreeing to remain at that point. The details of Martin's struggle the balance of that fearful night will never be known but that he made a great fight and kept unerringly to the trail has been learned by friends who have since been over the ground. The snow was deep and light, his snowshoes sinking in nearly a foot at every step, which hampered him greatly, for every thong was broken and he had taken off his suspenders with which he had tried to keep them in place, but finally abandoned it and stood them up together in the snow at the side of the trail. Then he pushed on, though evidently greatly exhausted, for places were found where he sat down to rest and his steps grew shorter toward the last. He succeeded in reaching Rice Pond, only 80 rods from the house, when the last particle of strength was exhausted, for here his body was found-on the ice, frozen stiff, and almost completely buried in snow. Each boot was covered with an accumulation of ice and snow as large as a pail, which indicates how extremely difficult the traveling must have been. Martin had over fifty dollars on his person and a Colt's revolver, with three chambers empty—possibly discharged in the hope of attracting attention. Mr. McArthur sat up late Sunday night thinking the men would come in but finally concluded they had stopped at an old camp occasionally used. Monday he wired St. Regis Falls requesting a telephone message be sent to Madawaska inquiring when the guides left. Still thinking that they would come in during the day no great uneasiness was felt, though towards nightfall some effort had been made to find them. Tuesday morning Mr. McArthur and one or two others became thoroughly aroused and started out on a search. It was not long before they met Rork slowly working his way in. He called to them to know where Martin was and when told that he had not been seen became at once delirious and is still in such a serious condition that he has not been able to give scarcely any account of his experience. Both his feet were frozen half way to the ankles but have been well cared for. Dr. Oliver directing by telephone the necessary treatment, not being able to reach there for two or three days because of the storm. but hopes to save them. From Sunday night until Tuesday forenoon Rork never closed his eyes and kept constantly in motion, moving as best he could about a tree, knowing that if he lay down it meant certain death. When found his legs were dreadfully swollen from which he suffered severely, until after his feet became frozen and numb, then the pain seemed to leave him and he started for home.
Both of these men were sturdy, energetic and well-trained woodsmen and had it not been that before, they were aware of it all their matches had been used up in trying to follow the trail they would have built a fire when Rork was compelled to stop and waited for daylight. William Martin, the father of the deceased, resides at Providence, R. I.: and came on in response to a message. There is also one brother, Martin was well known in Malone, having enlisted in the 203rd Regt. during the Spanish-American war and acted as cook for Co. M at Camp Black. He carried $2,000 insurance, $1,000 in the Foresters and $1,000 with the Woodmen. He was 42 years of age.
Adirondack News, October 20, 1917
Man Drowned at Madawaska.
Arthur Krisco, of New York, lost his life at Madawaska Pond about six o'clock Thursday evening.
James Eccles, proprietor of the Madawaska hotel, Henry Krisco and his son Arthur Krisco, of New York, were out on the pond in Mr. Eccles' motor boat some distance from shore when the boat commenced to leak. At the point where they were the water is only a few feet deep but the mud is of an unknown depth. The party fired their guns and tried to attract attention from the hotel but without avail and the younger man, Arthur Krisco, attempted to swim to shore for help, and that was the last seen of him.
Eccles and the elder Krisco stuck to the boat which sank deeper and deeper. After being In the water for an hour a party from the hotel rescued them in an exhausted condition. Dr. W. A. Wardner from this village was called and went to Madawaska on the evening train to attend them.
Searching parties are endeavoring to locate the body of the unfortunate man. The deceased was about 28 years old and has a wife and daughter In New York.
Adirondack News, September 26, 1903
The St. Regis Paper Co., are making arrangements to erect an additional rossing mill [debarking] to be located at the Sherman siding near Madawaska. The erection of a boarding house has been commenced and it is expected the mill will be completed this fall. Charles Schwartz will have charge of the work and will also operate the mill the coming season. There camps are already cutting pulp in the vicinity and the stock put in there will probably amount to about 6,000 cords. Five or six rossing machines will be required to do the work. On account of the forest fires last spring there is much dead timber in the woods that must be cut within a couple years in order to save it. Consequently the stock to be sent to the mill in this village will be increased by some 10,000 cords over last year or a total stock of some 33,000 cords will be cut and delivered to this mill this fall and winter.
Tupper Lake Herald, August 6, 1920
MADAWASKA HOTEL BURNED
The large hotel owned by James Eccles find located at Madawaska, well known as a resort for hunters and fishermen, was destroyed by fire about noon Tuesday, July 23d. All the buildings connected with the place excepting the guide house, barns and a small building used as a postoffice, were burned.
Plattsburgh Sentinel, May 27, 1921
FOREST FIRES IN ADIRONDACK
Break Out Afresh at Many Points In Mountains
DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THEM
Hogle Fox Farm, Chazy Lake, Sand Creek Lake and Owl's Head Named.
(By the Associated Press)
ALBANY May 24-Forest fires in the Adirondacks which were thought to be under control, have broken out afresh and new fires are reported, the conservation commission announced…
About 250 men with the fire train worked throughout one night in the Madawaska section trying to get under control the biggest forest fire raging in the Adirondacks. Efforts were extended to save the Hogle Fox Farm which was in grave danger. Bodies of men from all sections were being recruited and rushed to the scene after a band of 150 fighters, lost control of the conflagration and sent out an appeal for more aid.
The fire, which raged with intensity along the west shore of upper Chateaugay lake in property owned by the High Falls Pulp and Paper company, after burning over several hundred acres was declared later to be less severe. The shift of the wind drove the flames back over the burned area.
The fires raging at the present time in the north country are the worst known since 1903 when a similar series swept through the region. It was in 1903 that the plant of the Malone Paper company was destroyed by fire. In that year not a drop of rain fell from April 16 until the last of June.
A steady downpour of rain started just before midnight Sunday and was of great assistance to the men in the forest who had been working throughout the day against great odds.
Tupper Lake Herald and Adirondack Mountain Press, October 20, 1927
FIRE DESTROYS HUNTING CAMP NEAR MADAWASKA
A very nice and well furnished hunting camp located a few miles from Madawaska, and owned by John Marsh. Burt Snell and Pete Mosier, was found totally destroyed by fire a few days ago. There is no evidence of forest fire there and so it seems likely that some self invited guest was careless with fire or, worse still, it may have been fired to cover theft of valuable furnishings. The owners have gone to the woods to prepare to build another camp.
Facts and Fallacies, September 18, 1930
East Dickinson and Gale Road
Mrs. Florence Barcomb from Madawaska motored here Thursday with her little daughter, Miss May, who will be cared for by Mrs. W. A. Hastings during the winter.
Tupper Lake Free Press, January 23, 1936
Madawaska, once a popular hotel resort center for tourists and nimrods or 30 or 35 years ago, owned by Joseph Warren Alfred of St. Regis Falls and Tupper Lake, and managed by James Eccles, is now little more than a remembrance.
Tupper Lake Free Press, February 13, 1936
OLD TIMERS COLUMN
Do you remember 35 to 45 years ago, when excursion trains to Tupper Lake were of common occurance?
…We must not forget the annual fall excursions staged each year by the late Joseph Warren Alfred, proprietor of Hotel Altamont in Tupper Lake, of the Waverly Hotel at St. Regis and Hunters resort at Madawaaka.
The excursions were run from Tupper Lake to Madawaaka (near Meno on the N. Y. & O. line) where James Eccles was in charge of the popular fishing and hunting resort.
Joe Alfred always chartered a special excursion train and invited dozens of friends for a fare-free ride.
Tupper Lake Free Press, February 22, 1934
Old Timer's Column
…BRANDON became a village on the [Hurd's Northern] line, and it boasted a church, school, hotels and many dwellings.
About that time [c. 1890] the firm of Hurd-Hotchkiss & McFarlane was formed and Pat Ducey, the well-known lumberman, came in evidence in connection with the Hurd workings.
Spring Cove, Madewaska, Bay Pond and Derrick sprang into full flush as the railway came on towards its final destination—Tupper Lake—which was reached in 1890. At Spring Cove one could see great rows of white bee hive structures—coal kilns where thousands of bushels of charcoal were turned out yearly.
Madawaska Post Card, undated.
Courtesy of Tim Mayers
