North Elba is a town in Essex County, New York, United States.

While it is only 59 miles (95 km) west-southwest of Burlington, Vermont, one would have to either take a ferry across Lake Champlain, or drive around it.

In 1840 there were six families in the future North Elba,[4] which was formed from part of the town of Keene in 1849.

Smith was trying to resettle free blacks on land in the area, but it was not suitable for family farming.

[citation needed] A visitor in 1861 noted that in North Elba there was "a school house, which serves for this purpose, for a church, and a town hall.

"[4]: 716  At that time, when the village of Lake Placid did not exist, a map of 1858 reveals that North Elba was at that time also a hamlet, centered at the intersection of what are today (2021) New York State Route 73 and Adirondack Loj roads.

The West Branch of the Au Sable River flows out the northeastern corner of the town.