Rensselaer Falls 1858 Map:

1865 Map - Stone & Stewart, SN & DG Beer Associates:

Click here for more photos from the Rensselaer Falls Historic Society:

http://www.rfallshistory.org/photos.html

Front Street - Early 1900s

Front Street

A Parade

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

Main Street - 1915

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

1910

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

Noble E. Doty's Son's Store - Main Street

early 1900s

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

Ogdensburg Advance 1937

Along Front Street

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

Rensselaer Street 1920s

Rensselaer Falls Main Street

Texaco Station

Post Office

Train Station 1907

Train Heading North

(Photo from Judy Liscum)

Depot - Early 1900s

Dup

Depot

Rensselaer Falls Station 1912

Canton Plaindealer 1867

Canton Commercial Advertiser 1938

Archibald Shull - Postmaster 1851

St. Lawrence Plaindealer Jan 10, 1939

Where did the name Rensselaer Falls originate?

St. Lawrence Plaindealer Dec 2, 1941

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From Wikipedia, Rensselaer, a surname, may refer to:

Places:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a university in Troy, New York
Rensselaer County, New York
Rensselaer, Indiana
Rensselaer, Missouri
Rensselaer, New York
Rensselaer Falls, New York, farther north than the other Rensselaers in New York

People:

The Rensselaer Family of New York, an early United States political family of Dutch extraction
Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1585–1643), Dutch founder of the only successful patroonship in the New Netherland colony, Rensselaerwyck
Jeremias Van Rensselaer (1632-1674), son of Kiliaen
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer (1738–1810), a United States Representative and New York politician (father of Solomon, great-great-grandson of Kiliaen).
Killian Van Rensselaer (1763–1845), a lawyer and U.S. Representative from New York (cousin to Jeremiah, uncle of Solomon, great-great-grandson of Kiliaen)
Solomon Van Rensselaer (1774–1852), a U.S. Representative from New York and lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812 (son of Jeremiah, nephew of Killian)
Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764–1839), founder of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a U.S. Representative from New York (great-great-great-grandson of Kiliaen).
Henry Van Rensselaer (1810–1864), a Union Army general during the American Civil War, and a U.S. Representative from the state of New York (son of Stephen)

The north country's early settler, Henry Van Rensselaer, was the son of Stephen Van Rensselaer above. Here is some history from: http://history.rays-place.com/ny/canton-ny.htm

Rensselaer Falls.- This village is situated near the northwest corner of the town on the east bank of the Oswegatchie River, and is a station on the R. W. & 0. railroad. It is thirteen miles from Ogdensburg and ten miles from Canton. The river has a fall of about six feet at this point, affording water power, which has been utilized for several manufacturing establishments. Among the more prominent early set tlers at this point and in its vicinity may be mentioned John Shull, sr. N. Hammond, Jacob Shull, Archibald Shull, Christian Ghering, A. Johnson, W. Randall, J. Ghering, C. Goodell, Dea. Hanna, S. Walroth Leonard Herring, A. Sunderlin, and A. Sharp. The village was formerly known as "Tateville," from Robert Tate, formerly a surveyor and a prominent citizen; it was also called "Canton Falls," previous to the establishment of the post-office in 1851, when it was given its present name. The first important progress of the place was effected through the starting of a forge by Tate, Chaffee & Co. ; this was on the west bank of the river just below the dam. It was operated to about 1848, but was finally abandoned; the ore used was from Hermon and Lisbon. John Shull, Jr., as agent for Mr. Van Rensselaer. built a saw mill in 1839, on the site of the present cheese box factory. The first mill was carried off by a flood; it was rebuilt and afterwards burned. The site was later occupied by the Phoenix Bent Works; this was changed to a box factory about 1880 by B. F. Spooner. Otis Brooks is the present operator, and turns out about 1,000 boxes per day. The first grist mill here was built in 1842 by Henry Van Rensselaer and was burned in the spring of 1875. The mill was rebuilt the same year by Rose & Son, and has passed through various hands. It is now operated by Maloney & Morrison. The saw mill, with planing machinery attached, is now run by Solon Dexter. The first tavern was built by John Shull, jr., and the first store was kept by Thomas Leonard, where J. W. Browne carried on business for many years. The post-office was first opened in 1851, with Archibald Shull, postmaster. The present official is George J. Hinsdale. The village now contains fourteen stores of all descriptions and two hotels, with the necessary number of mechanic shops of various kinds. Succeeding the district schools graded school was established for the village, and the present school building was erected in 1880. Three teachers are employed and the number of pupils in attendance is about 150.

The Congregational church was organized June 6, 1842, with ten members. Jeduthun Farwell and three other trustees were elected. Rev, Goram Cross served them as their first pastor. The society prospered, and it was resolved to erect a church. July 19, 1847, a meeting was held, and John Shull, jr., William Hanna, and T. F. Rathbone chosen trustees. The church was completed in the last of the year 1848, and dedicated January 11, 1849. Its cost was $800. In 1875 extensive repairs and improvements were made in the building, and it was rededicated February 16, 1876; again in 1891 the house was repaired and repainted inside and out; the whole cost was about $5,000. In 1870 a parsonage was erected, costing $1,500. The present membership is 115, and the pastor is Rev. J. O. Griffith.