A Crease in the Landscape: Perspectives on the Working Landscape and Slate Valley of Lakes to Locks Passage

Millions of years ago, as these mountain ranges took shape on continental North America, a narrow band of slate, nearly eighty miles long, was formed along the Taconic range; creating the Slate Valley of Eastern New York and Western Vermont. When slate began to be quarried in the mid-nineteenth century, the slate industry, and the people who came to work in that industry, had a profound effect on the physical and cultural landscape of New York and Vermont. Today’s working landscape, dotted with charming villages, numerous small lakes and rivers, diverse wildlife habitats, and outstanding recreational opportunities creates a rich experience for residents and visitors alike.