Timbuctoo, New York, was a mid-19th century farming community of African-American homesteaders in the remote town of North Elba, New York. It was located in the vicinity of 44.22°N 73.99°W, near today's Lake Placid village, in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Contrary to the information given out by donor Gerrit Smith, who said that the lots were in clusters, they were spread out over an area 40 miles (64 km) north to south, and 15 miles (24 km) east to west.
Historic marker at the corner of Old Military Road and Bear Cub Road in North Elba
Gerrit Smith
Dreaming of Timbuctoo exhibition at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site
Gerrit Smith, also spelled Gerritt Smith, was an American social reformer, abolitionist, businessman, public intellectual, and philanthropist. Married to Ann Carroll Fitzhugh, Smith was a candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856, and 1860. He served a single term in the House of Representatives from 1853 to 1854.
Gerrit Smith
Gerrit Smith house, Peterboro, New York, from an 1878 book. The house was destroyed by fire in 1936.
Edmonia Lewis, hands of Gerrit Smith (right) and his wife Ann Carroll Fitzhugh (left)
Smith made women's suffrage a plank in the Liberty Party platform on June 14–15, 1848.
