TICONDEROGA -- The Old French Sawmill could be back in Ticonderoga as early as next summer to serve as a tourist magnet.

The original French sawmill was located on the LaChute River near the Lower Falls, close to where its replica will be built, said Main Street Partnership member Robert Pell Dechame.

"This is an idea that's been around for 25 years -- 250 years, actually. It would be a complete, working sawmill."

The French sawmill of 250 years ago was used to supply lumber for the construction of Fort Carillon, later renamed Fort Ticonderoga by the British.

Building a replica sawmill was in the Lane, Frenchman & Associates plan done for Ticonderoga in 1983. The Boston-based planning firm drafted the elaborate plan to help boost Ticonderoga's tourism base, and the town has been referring to it ever since.

The sawmill would be located near an ice-hockey rink the town is proposing to build on other property it owns.

"The sawmill would have other applications. It could be used as a warming hut for the rink," Ticonderoga Town Historian William Dolback said.

Dechame said construction of the sawmill would begin in the spring.

"The idea is to at least have a frame building up by next year."

There are French and Indian War anniversary events planned for June and July, including a Parade of Arms on June 27.

The sawmill was operational in 1756, providing all the lumber to build Carillon, he said, as well as timber for the French fort at Crown Point.

"The sawmill was a real industrial use on this river. This is part of the history of Ticonderoga. The industrial use of this area is right here."

All the land around the falls was owned by the French crown, Dolback said.

"This was the king's land. It was reserved."

Now it's the town's land, and Ticonderoga Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick said the sawmill would be at the beginning of the existing LaChute interpretive trail system the town has established.