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Massena,
New York, a dynamic, robust town, acts as the
industrial and manufacturing hub for St.
Lawrence County. Ideally located for
commerce, Massena overlooks the mighty St.
Lawrence River, the main outlet for Lake
Ontario. Massena, "Home of America's
Seaway Locks", serves as the gateway to the
nation's Fourth Coast, the enormous waterways of
the Great
Lakes.
Massena was settled in
1792 by French lumberjacks and was one of the
first four towns in St. Lawrence County. The
forests were largely depleted by the 1830's, but
Massena held a fine reputation for its healing
sulfur springs. The town became a leader in
industry in the early 20th century. The Alcoa
Corporation established an aluminum plant in
1902, taking advantage of the hard-working,
conscientious labor force, and Massena's
business development began. Alcoa is still a
leading employer, along with General
Motors.
The Robert
H. Moses Power Dam is located in Massena.
Operated by the New
York Power Authority, the hydropower
generating facility provides some of the lowest
energy costs in the U.S. The Eisenhower
and Snell Locks, built in Massena in the
1950's, are the only American shipping locks on
the St.
Lawrence Seaway. These are a vital link for
the New
York shipping industry and give America
access to the Fourth Coast.
Massena's population
numbered 13,121 according to Census 2000
figures. The village of Massena lies at the
town's western border, with a population of
11,209. Also included within the town boundaries
are the hamlets of Raquette River, Rooseveltown
and Massena Springs.
Massena,
a strong industrial force in St. Lawrence
County, is also a retail hub. The St.
Lawrence Centre shopping and entertainment
mall provides more than fifty-five shops, an ice
arena, and international cuisine. The Downtown
District houses exciting specialty boutiques, a
108-room hotel, and a full range of financial
institutions and professional service firms.
Both the Grasse
and Raquette
Rivers wind through the north end of town,
providing luxurious waterfront properties for
commercial or residential use.
St. Lawrence County is
a largely rural region dotted with tranquil
dairy farms and rustic scenic landscapes. A
Mecca for nature lovers, the county lies within
the boundaries of upstate
New York's two most beautiful areas, the Thousand
Islands Seaway and the Adirondack
Mountain Region.
Massena, New
York, surrounded by the best in natural
environments, finds security and promise in
being a strong industrial town with a thriving
economy. |
