These two cities, like those last mentioned, are opposite each other,
and are both important points. Ogdensburg is the terminus of the Rome,
Watertown & Ogdensburg, the Utica & Black River, and Ogdensburg & Lake
Champlain Railroads, the two former coming from the West and the latter
from the East. The city lies on both sides of the Oswegatchie River, at
its junction with the St. Lawrence. On account of its beautiful foliage,
it has been appropriately entitled Maple City. Its extensive river
front, with its railroad facilities, gives it a decided advantage as a
grain port. Large elevators and warehouses for the transhipment of grain
and other freight from the lake steamers are among the important
enterprises of the place.
The direct route to the Adirondacks from Ogdensburg is _via_ the
Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, on the line of which is also
located the recently discovered but already famous CHATEAUGAY CHASM. As
the western section of the all-rail line from Ogdensburg to Portland,
this railroad is also assuming considerable importance as a tourist
route to the White Mountains and other resorts, and will receive due
notice in a separate chapter.
Prescott, on the opposite bank of the St. Lawrence, is connected with
Ogdensburg by ferry, the boats being of sufficient capacity to transfer
cars, and making regular trips. The railroad interests of this place are
concentrated in the Grand Trunk and the St. Lawrence & Ottawa division
of the Canadian Pacific.
[Illustration: RUNNING THE RAPIDS.]
Massena Landing, where passengers destined for Massena Springs go
ashore, is soon passed, and now a perceptible increase is noticeable
in the velocity of the current. The interest among the passengers, if it
has anywhere been allowed to flag, now becomes re-awakened, as the word
goes along the line that the famous