Potsdam

Potsdam is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, where Clarkson University and the State University of New York are located side by side. Red sandstone buildings form the visual backbone of the community, giving the town its distinctive look and character.

The town began in 1803 when settlers established a community and named it after the red sandstone they found locally, which resembled deposits from Prussia. The founding of educational institutions in the 1800s transformed the settlement into a center for learning and growth.

The two universities shape daily life throughout the town, influencing shops, restaurants, and events around every corner. Student communities and campus buildings are woven into the neighborhood fabric, bringing energy during the academic year.

The town hums with activity throughout the year, but the streets and facilities become more crowded during academic sessions when students return. The central area provides good walkability and concentrates most services and amenities for visitors to explore.

The red sandstone found locally earned the scientific name Potsdamian after geologists studied its Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician rock layers. Quarries operated here for decades specifically to extract and sell this distinctive stone to builders and architects elsewhere.

Location: St. Lawrence County

Elevation above the sea: 132 m

GPS coordinates: 44.66972,-74.98111

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:02