Town of Forestport

Forestport is the youngest town in Oneida County and one of the largest in area. Located in the northeast corner nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, Forestport encompasses the hamlets of Otter Lake and Woodgate, as well as Forestport.

Originally known as Smith’s Mill, and later Williamsville as well as Punkyville, the town was officially renamed Forestport after splitting off Remsen in 1869, with incorporation taking place on March 18, 1870- population at the time was 1,276. With the Black River available for transportation, the early days of Forestport were earmarked by timber cutting, and the influx of timbermen in Forestport’s early days created a niche for saloons which sprang up as quickly as the mills themselves. Often times, bartenders kept a baseball bat behind the bar to aid in keeping order, and this practice spawned the phrase “there’s no law north of Remsen”.
Today Forestport’s population is 1,535 – not a marked increase since it’s inception, but seasonal visitors swell that number greatly. As the gateway to the southwestern Adirondacks, we are proud to welcome visitors and seasonal residents alike to relish in our beautiful landscapes, lakes and rivers – enjoying the slower pace of our rural community, and taking part in all that Forestport has to offer.