The Alpina site was one of four locations incorporated into the Fort Drum Military Reservation in which iron was produced during the 19th century. The furnace was constructed by 1848 under the auspices of Swiss investors, but achieved local notoriety as one of a number of speculative ventures undertaken by Zebulon H. Benton and his wife, Caroline, during the middle decades of the 19th century. Benton was probably responsible for construction of the sawmill, which (under subsequent owners) was in operation at least into the 1890s. The Alpina site thus contains two examples of rural industries in 19th century Lewis County that were organized to exploit the area's natural resources: water power, timber, and iron ore.
Source:HAER