The railroad did not come to the village of Lake George, formerly known as Caldwell, until 1882. So for decades travel to the lakeside village was mainly by stagecoach along the plank road from Glens Falls built in 1848 (now Route 9). [Read more…] about When PT Barnum’s Stagecoach Plunged into an Old Fort’s Moat
Fort William Henry Hotel
They Came by Train: Lake George Railroad History
The automobile and the highways built to accommodate them gradually but inevitably displaced the nation’s light rail systems, including those in the Lake George region. Long before there was a Northway (I-87), tourists disembarked from trains opposite the Lake George steamboat pier, trolleys rattled along Canada Street toward Warrensburg, and a cable railway carried hotel guests from Lake George Village to the top of Prospect Mountain. There was even a marine railway to launch the pleasure boats that were transported on freight trains from factories in the Midwest.
But the Delaware and Hudson Railroad (the D&H), transporting people from New York City to Montreal and dozens of points in between, including the steamboat landings on Lake George and Lake Champlain, was the system’s apex. [Read more…] about They Came by Train: Lake George Railroad History
Fort William Henry’s Historic Well
In August 1757, following a siege of several days and after defeating the British, the French burned Fort William Henry at Lake George. Nearly a century later in 1855, the first Fort William Henry Hotel, located adjacent to the grounds where the fort once stood, opened.
The palatial hotel was destroyed by fire in 1909. Two years later, a second Fort William Henry Hotel was built. Replica Fort William Henry opened in 1954 as a museum. Fifty-years later, in 2004, a facsimile of the second hotel was erected. Throughout all this time there was one constant at the site, that being Fort William Henry’s well, dug in 1756 by Roger’s Rangers. [Read more…] about Fort William Henry’s Historic Well
1885: Colonial Relics Found Near A Lake George Church
The July 19, 1887 issue of the Glens Falls Daily Times newspaper declared that Isaac Crandall had “no superior as a florist.” The greenhouse owner not only was renowned for his exquisite-flower arrangements, he also was incredibly lucky.
Two years earlier in 1885, Crandall accidentally uprooted rare artifacts while planting a tree near the Methodist church in Caldwell (now known as Lake George). [Read more…] about 1885: Colonial Relics Found Near A Lake George Church
1925 Northern New York Radio History
Orrie Gould had a radio and would travel. “Gordon Russell and George Wilson were at J. Hebert Bly’s Sunday evening and enjoyed a radio entertainment furnished by Orrie Gould of Ticonderoga. The main feature was a church service from Albany, after which several stations were tuned in for musical selections,” the Crown Point Merchant’s Row correspondent reported in the Ticonderoga Sentinel on April 11, 1925.
“A few of our members were privileged to listen to a radio entertainment at the home of John Andre Saturday yesterday evening,” the Crown Point correspondent reported April 23rd. Orrie Gould of Ticonderoga brought the radio. [Read more…] about 1925 Northern New York Radio History
William Wilcox: Lake George’s ‘Towne Cryer’
It was the summer of 1935. The country was trying to pull itself out of the Great Depression and 84-year-old William H. Wilcox had just been appointed the “town crier” of Lake George.
The man spent most of his life around Lake George and in his new role, the octogenarian would dress in the garb of a traditional “town crier” of the colonial era. “Ye Towne Cryer,” as he soon became known, informed visitors and residents alike of local news. [Read more…] about William Wilcox: Lake George’s ‘Towne Cryer’
In 2023, Lake Placid Surpassed Lake George in Popularity
Lake Placid overtook Lake George as the Adirondack region’s highest grossing tourism market last year, the most recent period for which statistics are available. In 2023, according to reports released by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office in August, Lake Placid experienced the Adirondack region’s highest growth year over year, an 11.2% increase in visitor spending, compared with 3.3% growth in Warren County. [Read more…] about In 2023, Lake Placid Surpassed Lake George in Popularity
Political Anecdotes From Historic Newspapers
Trivia clue: This former New York governor and former U.S. president bagged a buck while vacationing at Upper Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks.
Correct response: Who is Grover Cleveland? [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Historic Newspapers
Theophilus Roessle: From Celery King To Hotelier
Theophilus Gottlieb Roessle was born in Stuttgart in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on March 19th, 1811. His father was a successful market farmer and builder in the community. Like many of the children in his homeland, Theophilus received a good quality education that his father supplemented with a solid training in agriculture.
While still a young boy, Theophilus learned the peculiarities inherent in the cultivation of plants. [Read more…] about Theophilus Roessle: From Celery King To Hotelier
1860: A Southern Tourist Gives Saratoga, Lake George Mixed Reviews
George Mercer, a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, took a summer trip to Saratoga Springs with a buddy after sightseeing at West Point. He had a pretty good time, but not a great time.
He enjoyed the nightlife, but wasn’t impressed with the ladies; he went boating on Lake George, but complained of the heat. Sounds like today, right? Try 1860. [Read more…] about 1860: A Southern Tourist Gives Saratoga, Lake George Mixed Reviews
Fort William Henry Hotel Unveils Renovation Plans
Fort William Henry Hotel in the village of Lake George, has unveiled a new brand and plans for a complete renovation.
The first Fort William Henry Hotel opened in 1855. The resort, one of the oldest and largest on Lake George, now includes the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center, the Best Western Hotel at Exit 21 and the recreated Fort William Henry, site of a pivotal 1757 French and Indian War battle.
[Read more…] about Fort William Henry Hotel Unveils Renovation Plans
Fort William Henry Corp Under New Leadership
The Board of Directors of Fort William Henry Corporation has announced the election of Kathryn Flacke Muncil, Sebastian J. Luciano, and Nancy Flacke Reuss to a new executive leadership team.
The first Fort William Henry Hotel opened in 1855. The resort, one of the oldest and largest on Lake George, now includes the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center, the Best Western Hotel at Exit 21 and the recreated Fort William Henry, site of a pivotal 1757 French and Indian War battle.
[Read more…] about Fort William Henry Corp Under New Leadership
27 NYS Nominations Made for Registers of Historic Places
The New York State Board for Historic Preservation recommended the addition of 27 properties, resources and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places, including a Livingston County church where the American Red Cross got its start and a Rockland County complex that was central to the nation’s textile industry.
“The multi-faceted story of New York can be traced in its many distinctive buildings and unique landmarks,” said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “It is an honor to help preserve these unique landmarks by listing them on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.” [Read more…] about 27 NYS Nominations Made for Registers of Historic Places