Potsdam is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States.

David Clarkson and Garret van Horn were early investors in the town, and settlement began around 1803.

The newcomers found Native Americans residing in the town and in the fur trade.

The community of Raquetteville incorporated as the Village of Potsdam Junction (now Norwood) in 1871.

St. Lawrence Academy, the predecessor of the State University of New York at Potsdam was founded in 1816.

The First Presbyterian Church of Dailey Ridge and French Family Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The New York Central Railroad's St. Lawrence Division runs through the town.

Until 1964 the New York Central operated passenger trains from Massena, through the town, to Watertown, and to Syracuse to meet up with the NYC mainline.