Lawrence P. Gooley

North Country / Adirondack Author

Books

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Out of the Darkness: In Memory of Lyon Mountain’s Iron Men

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Out of the Darkness-Front Cover

*** Second Edition Now Available ***

Out of the Darkness shines a light of recognition on more than 160 men who died in the iron mines of Lyon Mountain, New York. Who were they? How did they die?

You’ll find the answers here in a 334-page tribute to the men who lost their lives while working for the mining companies.

Drillers, muckers, furnace workers, timbermen – they’re all here. Many suffered horrible, spectacular deaths, as detailed in the newspaper fashion of the day, tending towards graphic, gruesome imagery. There is no shortage of such stories in this book, so be prepared for some intense reading. » More Details

Lyon Mountain: The Tragedy of a Mining Town

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Lyon Mountain: The Tragedy of a Mining Town-Front Cover

The story of Lyon Mountain’s mining days, especially the pre-1920 era, was nearly lost to the ravages of time and attrition. This book ensures the story is preserved for generations to come.

Extensive research, combined with personal interviews conducted by the author a quarter-century ago, have kept the story alive. It is an important story: important to the people, important to county history, and important to New York State history.

The town’s early mining history is detailed from the 1870s through 1919. Subsequent chapters deal with Lyon Mountain’s years as a company town under the thumb (fist?) of J.R. Linney; the town’s immigrant population and its roots; firsthand accounts of mining jobs from long-deceased miners; the riveting story of death in the mines; the remarkable true story of the town’s Mafia-connected years; and finally the story of the North American Champion Bobsled Team and the legendary Lyon Mountain Miners Baseball Team. » More Details

A History of the Altona Flat Rock

A History of the Altona Flat Rock-Front Cover

*** Silver Anniversary Edition Now Available ***

Winner: McMaster's Prize for Historical Writing (1980)

Pine barrens like the one on the Altona Flat Rock are a rarity around the world, existing in relatively few locations. The Altona Flat Rock is a North Country treasure, and was one of the region’s best kept secrets until this publication came out in 1980. Since then, there have been no fewer than five television shows dedicated to the subject, and Plattsburgh State College has become deeply involved in the study of this amazing natural wonder. The Flat Rock here has become an outdoor classroom used regularly by Plattsburgh State professors.

The Clinton County Historical Society, the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Nature Conservancy, and Volksmarch International are among the groups who have accompanied the author on guided tours of the area. With the express permission of the author, the Nature Conservancy used this book to convince the state legislature in Albany to establish the Gadway Pine Barrens Preserve near Cannon Corners, New York. » More Details