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The history of the Adirondacks has been shaped and influenced
by many powerful forces. Logging, mining, farming, tourism and
even medicine have all played a major role in the development
of the region. In the early 1800's, towns like St. Regis, Paul
Smiths and Old Forge sprang up taking advantage of the vast timber
resources and iron ore deposits. In the central Adirondacks, pioneers
cleared the large tracts of land for farming creating the first
settlements. And beginning in the late nineteenth century, the
Adirondacks became a popular destination for the rich and famous.
Known as the "Gilded Age", this period is famous for the construction
of huge rustic compounds called Great Camps.
We invite you to learn more about the history of the Adirondacks
by visiting the many museums and historic sites. We will soon
have sections on logging, farming, tuberculousis, mining and so
much more. Have any history you like to submit, please
Send us an email
Historic Saranac Lake
Historic Saranac Lake, a not-for-profit organization, formed to
seek National Register of Historic Places listing for buildings
in and around Saranac Lake, New York, works to encourage historic
preservation in the community through education and research.
Activities have included: the listing of 170 properties to the
National Register of Historic Places, operation of a rural preservation
company, completion of a comprehensive housing survey, two rehabilitation
conferences, full rehabilitation of two houses in the community
and publication of two books and two videos on local history and
architecture. For further info please click
here.
Adirondack
Statistics
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Adirondack State Park - 6 Million Acres
Adirondack Forest Preserve - 2.3 Million Acres
8,000 Sq. miles of mountains
2,000 miles of foot trails
240 lean-tos
35 campsites
200 lakes at least a square mile area
There are over 2,000 high peak mountains
There are over 40 high peak mountains over 4,000 feet
The highest peak is Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet
There are over 50 species of animals
Over 220 Birds Over 30 species of reptiles and amphibians
66 species of fish
Over 2,300 lakes and ponds
1,500 miles of rivers
30,000 miles of brooks and streams
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Castles
of Ice
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The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a week long celebration
that came into being around the turn of the century. Developed
as a traditional approach to cure "cabin fever" for the
local residents, The Winter Carnival became an annual
event in 1897. The centerpiece of the festival is the
ice palace, a grand structure built entirely of 700 pound
blocks of translucent lake ice.
Prior to the advent of refrigeration, ice cutting was
a thriving profession in the North Country. Blocks of
ice were harvested from the frozen lakes of the region
and shipped to the cities; packed in sawdust aboard railroad
boxcars. The use of ice blocks as building blocks was
an obvious invention and the first ice palace was born.
In the initial years of Winter Carnival, the construction
of the palace was the source of much competition between
the various ice cutters, the early ice palaces were quite
elaborate, with each succeeding year's buildings striving
to out do the the previous years'. Each company took pride
in their design and spent many hours sculpting the ornamentation
of the palace.
Present day ice palaces retain this excitement in the
choice of design, as engineering students from various
colleges die for the opportunity to see their design utilized.
Construction begins in late January as the ice blocks
are harvested and assembled along the shore of Lake Flower
in the center of the Village of Saranac Lake. The design
includes indoor rooms: a throne room, staircases, towers
and embattlements reaching heights of 50 feet, as well
as an ice slide leading out onto the lake ice. Fabricated
completely with volunteer labor, the palace utilizes over
3000 ice blocks, each cut to size of 2 feet wide by 2
feet thick by 4 feet long. Using slush as mortar, the
blocks are frozen in place as the palace takes form.
The sheer size of the structure is impressive and the
sight of such a beautiful building created entirely of
natural materials is awe inspiring. Illuminated by interior
lights, it is a marvel to visit on a crisp winter's eve
or a joy to behold on a sunny weekend day with children
scurrying along its ramparts.
For Further information contact the Sarnanac Lake Chamber
fo Commerce. Main Street, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983. Phone:
518-891-1990.
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Adirondack
Museums
Enjoy your visit!!
The Adirondack Museum
Blue Mountain Lake, NY - (518) 352-7311
One of America’s finest outdoor history museums and
called, “the best of its kind in the world,”
by the New York Times, the Adirondack Museum is the only
place to discover the region’s history. A magnificent
new Visitors Center and Museum Store welcome visitors
to the stories of how people have lived, worked, traveled,
and played, in the Adirondacks from the early 1800s to
the present. In addition, two fine art galleries showcase
some of the region’s finest works from nationally
acclaimed artists. Traditional skills demonstrations,
hands-on activities, games for the whole family, and special
events are all part of the Adirondack Museum experience.
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Franklin County Historical Society
Malone, NY
Exhibits of early Franklin County, including victorian
parlor and Dining Room, Old country store, crafts
rooms and so much more.
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Six Nation Indian Museum
Gabriels, NY
Paintings, drawings, maps and artifacts that reflect
the historic and contemporary aspects of the Six Iroquois
Nations Federacy culture (Haudenosaunees).
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Constable Hall
Constableville, NY
This restored nineteenth century mansion with its
original furnishings was built out of limestone.
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Historic Society of Saratoga Springs Museum
Saratoga Springs, NY
This museum use to be a gambling casino during the17th
century
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Fort William Henry
Lake George, NY
Restored French and Indian War fort. Military drills,
musket-cannon firing
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Awakesasne Museum
Hogansburg, NY
Historical and Contemporary Mohawk Art and Artifacts
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Chapman Historical Museum
Glens Falls, NY
Delong House, Victorian period home restored to 1865-1910
era. Exhibitions on history of southern Adirondacks
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Adirondack Park Visitor
Interpretive Center
Paul Smiths, NY
Life in the Adirondacks, its natural .history, workshops
and special programs offered.
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Penfield Museum
Crown Point, NY
Historic Site. Museum of local history around the
1800's. Exhibits on the Civil War and early Iron Work
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Slate Valley Museum
Granville, NY
Exhibits documenting the history of slate quarrying.
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Almanzo Wilder Homestead
Malone, NY
From The Little House On the Prairie - Laura Ingals
Husband, Almanzo Wilder Home
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Webb Historical Association
Old Forge, NY
Exhibits of of the first Adirondack settlements.
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Robert Lewis Stevenson Cottage
Saranac Lake, NY
Master storyteller and author of Treasure Island
and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
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Hancock House
Ticonderoga, NY
Museum of the Adirondacks and it also has a research
library
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