During the mid 19th Century many northern New York & New
England areas had a large migration of French Canadians into the cities and
towns of the region. These immigrants came to work in the many mills and
the logging industry that flourished at that time.
In Sandy Hill this population settled into the northern section of the
village and the area became known as Little Canada. Unlike most other
communities the area became recognized by the Village of Sandy Hill with
having the streets being given French names. In Little Canada the streets
were named: Notre Dame, LaClaire, LaBarge, LaCrosse, and Lafayette.
An 1875 map of Sandy Hill lists some of the early settlers of this
neighborhood as the LaPoint, Potvin, Masse, Bombard, and Brulette families.
These new citizens worshiped at the French Catholic church, St. Pauls
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