The North Country of New York State is a region rich in history, natural beauty, and a unique economic landscape. As the state’s northernmost area, it encompasses the counties of St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Lewis. While the region has traditionally relied on industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, a new opportunity has emerged: the potential for spooky and dark tourism. Dark tourism, the act of visiting sites associated with death, tragedy, and the macabre, has gained popularity worldwide. Spooky travel can often entail a mix of this with subcategories of Halloween and paranormal tourism emerging. Having just moved up to the North Country, I’ve seen significant opportunity for growth in this niche. We’ll look at the relevance of dark tourism in the North Country, examine potential challenges and economic factors, highlight the region’s historical significance, paranormal stories, and the potential for creating unique tourist attractions while still maintaining the historical narrative.
The celestial phenomenon of the eclipse in this year of 2024 attracted many visitors eager to experience this rare celestial event from far and wide. This surge of niche tourism, drawing intrepid souls from all walks of life, is proof of the region’s unique offerings and the insatiable human thirst for experiences that transcend the mundane.
Background on the North Country
The boundaries of the North Country remain shrouded in mystique, with conflicting whispers echoing through the mists of time. According to the Empire State Development Corporation, the hallowed realm encompasses a septet of counties, their borders etched upon the northern reaches of New York’s rugged terrain:
- Clinton County
- Essex County
- Franklin County
- Hamilton County
- Jefferson County
- Lewis County
- St. Lawrence County
Yet, the Adirondack North Country Association expands its definition of the North Country encompassing a grand total of fourteen counties. In addition to the seven acknowledged by the Empire State, the counties included by the ANCA are:
- Fulton County
- Herkimer County
- Oneida County
- Oswego County
- Saratoga County
- Warren County
- Washington County
Drawing these realms into the enigmatic embrace of the North Country each with its own tales of the paranormal and the macabre, from haunted lighthouses and abandoned asylums to the legends of the Adirondack wilderness.
Potential Sites for Dark Tourism in the North Country
Across the North Country, there are numerous sites with the potential to attract dark tourism enthusiasts. Some of the key historical and paranormal sites include:
- Fort Covington (Franklin County): Known for its historical significance and eerie tales associated with past conflicts.
- Massena (St Lawrence County): My new home! This area has been featured in the new online show “SVC Explorers Of The Unknown,” which investigates local folklore, hauntings, and suspected cryptid sightings.
- Oxbow (Jefferson County): The focus of several episodes of the aforementioned show, Oxbow is highlighted for its rich history and paranormal activity.
- Chateaugay (Franklin County): Historical sites here are often explored for their ghostly legends, making it a hotspot for those interested in the paranormal.
- Ogdensburg Correctional Facility (St. Lawrence County) – A former maximum-security prison with a history of inmate unrest and paranormal activity.
- Thousand Islands Bridge (St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties) – A site associated with numerous suicides and paranormal sightings.
- Plattsburgh Air Force Base (Clinton County) – Former United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command (SAC) base covering with reports of UFO sightings.
- Ausable Chasm (Clinton County) – A natural wonder with a history of tragic accidents and paranormal occurrences.
- Adirondack Sanatorium (Essex County) – A former tuberculosis treatment facility with a dark past and reports of ghostly activity.
- Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort (Essex County) – Site of a skier’s mysterious disappearance in the 1980s.
- Saranac Lake Historic District (Franklin County) – Ghost infested cure cottages and sanatoriums rumored to be haunted.
- Raquette Lake (Hamilton County) – Site of mysterious drownings and disappearances.
- Sackets Harbor Battlefield (Jefferson County) – Rumored to be haunted by the spirits of fallen soldiers from the War of 1812.
- Tug Hill Plateau (Lewis County) – A remote region with a history of mysterious disappearances and supernatural encounters, specifically one of Tug Hill Annie.
- Lewis County Almshous (Lewis County) – A former psychiatric hospital with a dark past and reports of ghostly activity.
- Cemeteries throughout the state – Taphophile tourism or cemetery tourism is growing in popularity. Hosted tours could bring waves of visitors and contribute to the restoration of cemeteries in disrepair.
- Boldt Castle: Situated on Heart Island in the Thousand Islands, Boldt Castle was built by George Boldt as a tribute to his wife. Construction halted after her sudden death, leaving the castle unfinished for decades. Today, it stands as a symbol of lost love, attracting visitors with its tragic story.
- Singer Castle: Located on Dark Island, offers a glimpse into early 20th-century opulence, built in 1905 for Frederick Bourne of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. This striking structure features hidden passages and rich historical details, set against the picturesque Thousand Islands region. It’s a popular destination for those interested in architecture and history.
Local Perspectives
To gain a deeper understanding of the potential for dark tourism in the North Country, I spoke with members from the chamber of commerce and local paranormal groups. There’s definitely a growing interest in the paranormal and the macabre as seen in my previous article, “The Rise of Spooky and Dark Tourism” Local paranormal groups like the Afterlife Investigators and the SVC Explorers of the Unknown are embracing the allure of the potential hauntings and known legends of the locale. In the North Country Now paper Jack Vaisey says, “Within Northern New York there is a lot of opportunity for the paranormal.” As I’m getting to know my neighbors and more locals in the areas stories like that of Spanky’s haunted diner are eagerly shared, and I don’t know about you but a good ghost story and gastronomy usually attracts a hefty crowd.
Comparative Case Studies
The North Country is not the only region exploring the potential of dark tourism. Other areas, such as Chernobyl in Ukraine, 9/11 Memorial in NYC, and Kentucky After Dark have successfully developed dark tourism attractions that balance education, respect, and economic opportunity. In Chernobyl, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, guided tours have become a popular draw for visitors seeking to learn about the tragedy and its aftermath. Similarly, 9/11 Memorial in has become a somber yet powerful tourist destination, allowing visitors to reflect, while Kentucky After Dark takes the legends and lores of various locations throughout the state and presents them with entertaining and educational value while piquing the audiences curiosity. These case studies suggest that with careful planning and a focus on responsible development, the North Country could leverage its unique historical and paranormal assets to create a sustainable dark tourism industry.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Developing a dark tourism industry in the North Country is not without its challenges and ethical considerations. Stakeholders must navigate the delicate balance between honoring the region’s history and respecting the cultural sensitivities of local communities. Proposed strategies for responsible development could include:
- Extensive community engagement and input
- Collaboration with local historians, cultural organizations, and indigenous groups
- Strict guidelines and protocols for visitor behavior and site management depending on the type of attraction
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure the ethical and sustainable operation of dark tourism attractions
Economic Impact and Opportunities
The potential economic benefits of dark tourism in the North Country are significant. By attracting visitors interested in the region’s unique historical and paranormal assets, dark tourism could lead to the creation of new jobs, increased tourism revenue, and the revitalization of local businesses.
If $1.2 billion was spent by travelers in the North Country in 2017, adding more dark tourism attractions and enhancing promotion could realistically impact the tourism revenue by attracting a new segment of tourists interested in this niche. Given that the estimated U.S. market for dark tourism is $31.89 billion, the North Country could potentially tap into this growing interest.
The increase in revenue would depend on several factors:
- Marketing and Promotion: Effective marketing campaigns that highlight the unique dark tourism sites of the North Country could draw more visitors. Using social media, partnerships with travel influencers, and featuring in specialized travel publications can increase visibility.
- Accessibility and Infrastructure: Improvements in transportation, accommodations, and other tourist facilities can make the area more accessible and appealing to tourists, potentially increasing visits.
- Community Engagement: Involving local communities in tourism development can help in creating sustainable and appealing tourism products that can attract repeat visitors.
- Variety and Quality of Attractions: The more compelling and well-maintained the attractions, the more likely tourists are to visit and recommend them to others.
If these factors are effectively managed, the North Country could see a significant increase in tourism revenue, potentially exceeding the growth rate of general tourism. A realistic scenario might see a 5-10% increase in tourism revenue attributable to dark tourism, assuming effective implementation of the above strategies. This would mean that by enhancing dark tourism attractions, the North Country could potentially increase its tourism revenue to somewhere between $1.26 billion and $1.32 billion by as early as 2025, reflecting the growing interest in dark tourism nationwide.
What’s In Store for the Ghosts of the North Country
The North Country of New York State is a region rich in history, natural beauty, and untapped potential. As the demand for dark tourism continues to grow, the North Country has an opportunity to leverage its unique assets and create a sustainable, responsible, and economically beneficial industry. By carefully balancing the ethical considerations and working closely with local stakeholders, the North Country can position itself as a premier destination for dark tourism, attracting visitors from around the world and driving economic development in the process. And thus, the North Country extends its spectral invitation, a summons to confront the shadows that haunt our collective consciousness, and to emerge with a deeper understanding of the human condition.
