Friday, August 24, 2012

Hunting around the Sacandaga


Hunting, camping, and fishing drew, and still does draw, many people from out of the area The great Vly was a wetland on the Sacandaga River that covered 13,000 acres and provided a great deal of sustenance to deer and many other animals. Some people made a livelihood of trapping fox, raccoon , muskrat, martin, and other furbearers on the Vly. The many streams and brooks that ran into the river lent themselves to excellent fishing. Deer would be drawn to the Vly for it’s grasses and water.

In the 1700’s, before the Revolutionary War, Sir William Johnson was an avid outdoorsman and superintendent of Indian affairs in the area. From the Broadalbin author Robert Chambers book titled Cardigan he refers to Sir William Johnson and the “echoes of his flintlock on the Vly.”

In the late 1800’s hunting parties would travel from outside areas on the stage or by train to local hotels where guides would take these outdoorsmen to primitive hunting camps. Gun Clubs were also formed. This is the era that the Adirondacks experienced its first tourism boom. Visitors – primarily from urban areas – flocked to the North Country to “recreate.” People who actually lived in the Adirondacks soon learned that the tourists who came to the woods needed them.

Guides knew where to hunt and fish; they knew how to build boats and bark shelters; they knew how to start a campfire and cook what they'd caught. Above all they knew their way through the forest and along the lakes and rivers that threaded through the vast isolated region where they lived.

Men, and eventually women, who had always fished, hunted, and trapped to feed their own families now hired themselves out as guides to these "sportsmen" or "sports" as the visitors were called.
Traditionally, a guide was responsible for the food, shelter, transportation and safety of his party. He made all the preparations and bought all the supplies necessary for a stay in the woods lasting anywhere from a week to a month or more. He also furnished the boat, which was used for traveling, fishing, and hunting.

The guide did everything he could to make sure the trip went smoothly and his customers were satisfied. He was woods-wise and independent, a skilled hunter, fisherman and cook, and a shrewd judge of character. He was also a teller-of-tales (some pretty tall) and not above pulling the leg of a green horn “sport” from the city.

The F J & G Railroad, whose line was extended to Northville in 1895, also lent particular ease to the travel of these hunting parties. Hunters could take the extensive New York Central line which would leave passengers at Fonda who would then board the short-line F J and G and continue on to the Northville depot. At the depot the stage would take the hunting party to either a hotel or the guide would await them and proceed to points north to hunt. Hunting parties then utilized horses to transport provisions into the woods for their use during the stay.

The first historical hunting period went up to about 1800. Massive deer hunting harvests occurred primarily at the hands of Indians during their trading with European settlers. They traded deer for things like metal wares, alcohol, textiles, guns, and promises.

The second historical period was from early to mid 1800's, in which the numbers of whitetail deer rebounded somewhat. This occurred mainly because of the decreased influence that Indians had on them. Also as settlers abandoned homesteads and move west, the land they had been on reverted back to the whitetails habitat. This rebounded population of the whitetail deer led to the next historical period.

The third historical period occurred about 1850 to 1900. There was saw an exploitation of the whitetail deer by hunters who hunted for profit They were almost hunted to extinction, primarily for the meat. Railroads with refrigerated cars were available to bring the venison to many markets throughout the country.

It wasn't until the federal "Lacey Act" of 1900-which prohibited interstate traffic in wild game taken in violation of state law. The "Lacey Act" was meant to help protect and restore the whitetail deer, along with other game animals and birds. It was signed into law by President William McKinley on May 25th, 1900. The Lacey Act has been amended several times. The most significant times were in 1969, 1981, and in 1989.

by Lorraine Frasier



Sacandaga Hunting 1877


Batchellerville resident Wellington E. Gordon recounts, with much detail, a 13 day foray in the foothills in 1887.

Among the members of this hunting party were: Charles Batcheller Wallingford, Vermont, F.F. Noyes Bellport, Long Island, George Robinson of Ilion NY, and from Athens NY W. M. Whitney and the Rev W.B. Hill. Also hunting guides Burr and Chet Sturges of Lake Pleasant.
This journal, in it’s entirety, captures the essence in which the spirit of men are tried and the true gifts of nature are appreciated.

June 30th 1887 Wednesday : I walked to the village this morning where it was agreed we’d meet preparatory to starting for the woods. We had made arrangements with Trum Lyon (owner of the Lyon House in Northville) to come get us from Batchellerville and take us to Lake Pleasant. We all gathered at the Whitneys .With luggage all packed, there wasn’t enough room for everyone to ride so Trum hired another wagon to carry Mr. Hill and myself to Northville where a change would be made for a larger wagon. Going up Sand Hill one of Trums horses balked and Trum got mad which caused the horse to thrash around and break a wiffle tree (A wiffle tree is made of wood and provides the two main points of contact between the horse and the wagon) . This delayed us for some time but we were able to borrow an old set from a farmer.

We resumed our journey to Northville and arrived about 10 AM. Meeting the incoming train (FJ&G) we met Mr. Noyes Brother-in-Law, George Robinson of Ilion NY, who was expected to join the party. After reloading our things into a larger wagon we started for Lake Pleasant with Walter Swears as the driver. We had not gone very far when it became evident that one of the wagon wheels was weak. We got out and with jack knives cut some sticks and bound them to the wheel with withes ( other flexible sticks) in such a way as to make it absolutely safe.

We intended to take a late dinner at Samp Hosleys (in Wells) and we did as it was nearly 4 PM when we arrived there, dinner was waiting it was dispatched quickly, and the journey to the Lake Pleasant resumed. Without any mishaps we arrived at about 8PM. Our guide Chet Sturges, was waiting to receive us and give any necessary assistance to provide for an early start the next morning.
July 1st Friday: And early breakfast at Lake Pleasant House is always I/2 hour to 1 hour later than later than ordered. That plus other little delays, it was 7:30 am before we started for camp. After consulting with the guides , Chet and Burr Sturges, we concluded to camp on Pillsbury Lake instead of Cedar Lake as planned. The are more convenient places to fish and game in abundance is to be found. Packing our things into Dave Sturges lumber wagon and putting on top of all, a wood shod sled with a wagon, we started for our 12 mile tramp through the woods.

The usual terminus of the wagon going is at a place called Sled Harbor. But our driver took us to Miami Stream; a creek that flows into Lewey Lake where we camped last year. We lunched and gave the team a rest before ascending the mountain. From the Miami to the top of the mountain where the descent to the Cedar and the Pillsbury commences, is three miles and the road in places is rough to the extreme. This road was originally cut through from Lake Pleasant to Ogdensburg four rods (a rod is 16 ½ feet) wide cleared in 1812 and was to be used if necessary by marching troops. It was known as the State Road and is marked with mile posts to Cedar. From there it had been allowed to grow up and no one but an experienced woodsman can trace it.

The Miami, where we lunched, is just 8 miles from Lake Pleasant. At the 8 mile post we descended to Pillsbury in a distance of 1 1/2 mile. Before we reached the lake it was necessary to descend a very steep rocky hill. Here the sled broke down and we were compelled to unload our things and mend it before proceeding further. We were delayed an hour and reached Pillsbury at about 5 PM.

We occupied a camp built by a Frenchman known as French Louie who lives 6 miles father near the head of West Canada Creek. He used this camp as sort of a halfway house on his trips to the lake for supplies. This camp is double having a fireplace in the center and would do very well as a winter protection, but as a summer camp to correspond with our ideas, it is a failure. It’s location is about fifty rods from the lake on low ground; the shade has been cut away near it, and no pains have been taken to keep the surrounding area clean. We were disappointed both in the appearance of the lake, the camp, and it’s surroundings. But like good campers we took the matter philosophically and after supper prepared by the guides and made palatable by the long tramp just taken we turned in for the night.

July 2nd Saturday: Early this morning Noyes and Burr turned out in search of ‘beef’ but came home empty -handed, not to say heavy hearted. Whitney and Chet took a trip over to Whitney Lake, a small but beautiful sheet of water a mile from the lower end of Pillsbury. They caught a few nice trout and returning by a pond shot at a deer, but did not hit it. So they came home disappointed.

Hill and Robinson fished near the boat landing and caught quite a number of brook trout. I lay around camp during the forenoon and in the afternoon being more dissatisfied with our location Noyes and I went to the lower part of the lake to explore. The upper end of the lake is very shallow, making it difficult to navigate with a loaded boat. The lower end, however, is deeper and clear from lily pads and the western shore is quite abrupt. Noyes and I explored here for some distance and at last discovered water that seemed enough for camp use; and nearby, close upon a cliff of rocks. A beautiful spot for a camp. On our return to camp we reported our discovery and all decided that early Monday morning we should move to the spot. In the evening Noyes and Chet went out with the gun but returned empty handed.

July 3rd Sunday: In the forenoon we all lounged in the shade and listened to a reading from St. Mark by Rev. Hill. He explained and talked as he read, making it one of the most interesting readings I have ever heard. After dinner we lay in the shade and enjoyed ourselves as best as we could in such a place. Towards evening, Rev. Hill read from Chas Dudley stories of the Adirondacks putting us in good humor for supper and sleep.

July 4th Monday: As early as possible we all started for our new camping place and all assisted in building of the camp; the finest in all respects we ever had.

It is located about 50 feet above the lake and faces ledges about 40 feet high. About 6 rods in back of the camp is a stream which furnishes enough water for drink and keeping butter etc, but not enough for bathing purposes. From the camp we cut a winding path down to the lake where we bathed and landed our boats. At night we were quite tired and turned in early to a refreshing sleep upon fresh balsam boughs cut and laid by Chet and Burr.

July 5th Tuesday: George Brown of Northville and W. G. Snow of Montclair N.J. were expected at Lake Pleasant today to join our party as soon as they could get in, we sent Burr out to guide them in tomorrow.

Chet, Rev. Hill, and myself took a 4 mile tramp to a place called Mud Stream, where it was thought we could get a good catch of trout if no one had fished there lately. To get there we had to go up by and cross Whitney Lake and then follow along the ridge to the outlet of Pillsbury and Whitney which join their waters in one stream. Then a short distance across a little ridge to Mud Stream. This stream together with the one just mentioned, are the head waters of West Canada Creek.

Mud stream, where the trail strikes it, is about 2 feet deep and a rod wide. A few rods above are two deep places where trout usually lie. A rough fish pole and a line with a fresh worm on the hook stood by the side of the trail near the stream and told us this place had been fished this morning or late the night before. However with a little coaxing we caught 18 nice trout the largest weighing 1 pound.
Chet took us downstream a few rods to where it emptied into Mud Lake, and there on a sandy bar we saw what I never expect to see again. A place several rods square was literally covered with deer tracks of all sizes; from that of the smallest doe to that of the largest buck.

After taking the little lunch we had brought, we started for camp and arrived 2 hours later.
On our way back we ran upon Whitney seated by the trail, rifle in hand, watching and had given one shot but without effect. Not long after we reached camp we heard the report of a rifle and within an hour they came in for Chet to go and dress a deer which Whitney had shot.

It had rained a little so that the bushes were wet and the traveling disagreeable, but everyone was happy. Camp life with nothing to eat but trout comes to be monotonous.

Chet (one of the guides) gave us an excellent supper from the tenderloin. Just at dusk we were all gladly surprised to see George Brown come rushing up the path followed by A.J. Green of Montclair NJ. They reported that Snow and A.A. Webster of Brooklyn were at the head of the lake waiting for the guide to return for them. They were determined to come through in a day so left Northville early in the morning, taking breakfast at Samp Hosleys (in Wells) and dinner at Dave Sturges. Burr had not yet arrived so they got Jimmy, Burr’s boy, to lead them in. At Mill Brook about 2 miles from the lake, they met Burr. He went on to the lake to buy some coffee and other supplies and returned the next day. The boys were all pretty tired and a few stories were told before dropping off to sleep.

July 6th Wednesday: Rev. Hill and Green went up to the head of the lake to fish a spring hole. Noyes, Snow Whitney, and Batcheller went over to Whitney Lake and fished from the rocks for trout. Greene and Rev. Hill caught but a few, and those small, but the other party caught the finest stringer of trout I have ever seen. There were but 10 of them the three largest weighted 5 ½ pounds. The rest of our party now numbering 10 stayed around camp and fished at times in the lake catching a few fine trout. During the evening games were played and stories with side splitting effects. Webster in particular is a capital storyteller.

Sleep came late but was very refreshing. I forgot to say that towards evening Chet and I went up to what is called Big Bay to watch for deer. None appeared, however, they would undoubtedly have been safe as I had a rifle with me and had never taken a shot at a deer in all my life.

July 7th Thursday: Allured by the success of the party Webster, Greene, Brown, and Rev Hill took Burr and fished there nearly all day. They were not as successful as the other party, and came back to camp slightly depressed. Greene never got a bite and but the others got one of two fair size trout each.
In the afternoon guided by Chet; Snow, Batcheller, Noyes, Robinson and I went over to Cedar Lake about a mile away. On our way we met Rev. Reeve a Presbyterian minister from Johnstown. We had met previously at Dave Sturges place and he had come into Cedar the same day we had come in with John Sturges. Rev. Reeve was coming over to make a visit but as we were more than half-way to Cedar he went back with us and took us in his camp in a boat and another owned by the guides. The trail from our camp is easily followed. A little more than halfway over it crosses what seems to have been at one time a shallow lake which now is dry and filled up. The end of the trail strikes a little bay on the side of what is known as Middle Lake. From here we rowed down the narrows and through them into the lower largest lake. The scenery around these lakes is the most beautiful of any I have ever seen in the north woods. Mountains surround them on all sides and deep bays that make an irregular but very picturesque outline. The shores rocky but few lily pads grow between them. Several small islands add to the otherwise exquisite beauty of these watery gems.

Rev. Reeves camp is on the west shore of the lower lake back about 6 rods from the shore. It is not pleasantly located, being on low ground and shut out from a view of the lake by a small ridge of spruce. Most excellent springs of water are near it, however, it is but a few steps from the ridge and it is an excellent lounging place with a commanding view of the entire lake and lofty mountains to the north. We did not visit the upper lake but obtained a glance of it up through a pass that leads to it and saw in the distance it’s most prominent feature, a high steep mountain peak known as The Cobble.
The trail from the Cedar to Mud Stream where we fished on Tuesday runs along the base of this mountain. Rev. Reeve and his guide accompanied us home and took supper with us. After supper they smoked and told stories until dusk then left for their camp.

As our meat was nearly gone Noyes and Jimmy went out in the evening and got another deer. Batcheller, Webster, and Chet had been up to the Big Bay in the afternoon with no better success than I’d had the day before. This is the anniversary of my wedding. How I’d like to be at home for a few hours or have them here to see and enjoy the beautiful scenery I have seen this day.

July 8th Friday: Whitney and Rev. Hill went with Jimmy (Sturges) to fish a spring hole about a half a mile below Sampson Lake. Brown and Batcheller accompanied them as far as the lake and fished there until they returned. Sampson is a small lake lying about a half mile south of Whitney and is considered a good lake for trout. Whitney and Rev Hill had no luck but Brown and Batcheller caught a string of fine trout- three of them weighing four pounds.

The rest of our party, except myself, took Burr and went over to fish Whitney Lake and returned with a fine show of trout. Eight of the largest weighed just over 13 pounds. All the party was in the beast of spirits and jokes played lively around. Several of the party made a drawing of the largest trout on white birch bark to carry home with them as a souvenir. Chet and I remained around camp all day.
July 9th Saturday: Noyes, Snow and I went over to Whitney and fished for trout from a raft which they had built the day before , but caught only three , the largest weighing a pound. A shower threatening drove us to camp. Rev. Hill and Batcheller had followed the outlet of Pillsbury down to where the outlet of Whitney joins it and up that to the lake. They were on the shore when we landed our raft, getting ready to cook some of the small trout they caught in spite of the threatening shower. They were determined to remain and fish in the lake.

We arrived at camp just as the shower came on and were followed in a few minutes by Webster and Greene, who with Burr, had been over to the Cedars to Call upon Rev. Reeve and being invited, had taken dinner with him. Whitney Brown and Robinson remained around camp. As our meat was getting low Chet and I went out in the evening and in forty five minutes were paddling back with a yearling buck in the boat. Returning to camp we saw another and I fired at it but did not hit it. A few moments later we heard the deer back in the bushes giving the peculiar snort that accompanies their fright.

July 10th Sunday: Webster and Greene desiring to get home tomorrow night took Jimmy and started for Lake Pleasant intending to take the morning stage from there to Northville the following day. It rained some during the night and was raining when they started, so they must have had a very disagreeable walk. Rev. Hill gave a reading from Romans this morning. It was very interesting but not as good as the one given last Sunday from Mark. As the weather was somewhat Lowery we spent the day quietly in camp. We retired early to be ready for the tramp out of the woods tomorrow- our day for breaking camp.

July 11th Monday: It rained nearly all night. Burr was desirous of carrying home some meat with him so hunted part of the night staying at French Louie’s camp after he had finished. He shot at a deer but did not get it. He came down to our camp early and reported that the team for which we had sent by Jimmy to carry out our things had not come. We ate an early breakfast and packing our things sent the guides off with Rev. Hill Brown, Batcheller, Snow, and Robinson and some baggage; telling the boys to start for Lake Pleasant and we would follow with the guides on their next trip. We got to French Louie’s camp about 8:45 AM and in a short time started for the lake leaving the guides to fix their boats and left our baggage at French Louies camp to be picked up by the wagon if it should come.

The weather is still threatening and though it did not rain I put on my rubber coat and boots and took the lead with Whitney and Noyes following. We had before us 12 ½ miles of hard walking so I started at a slow pace. We met the wagon about a mile toward camp from the Miami Stream. We took a little rest at that stream and again at Wilcox Clearing where we found some strawberries to refresh us. We arrived at Dave Sturges at 2:25 PM. Tired and hungry and found the rest of the party preceded us only long enough to get dinner. I spent the afternoon resting. I bought a pound of spruce gum and 9 ½ pounds of maple sugar at the “corner grocery”. We stayed up until 9:00 PM waiting for Dave to come with our baggage, then concluded that he might have met with a misfortune, such as breaking down. We retired for the night, being told by the woman of the house to go into any room we could find that suited us.

July 12th Tuesday: Trum Lyon had sent a team for us from Northville and we were determined to start early and take breakfast at Samp Hosley’s in Wells. Our baggage came during the night and shortly after 5 AM we were on our way to Samp’s. We arrived about 7:30 AM to find a good breakfast waiting for us. At noon we reached Northville and took dinner at Winnies Hotel where Whitney had left his trunk when he came into the woods. Robinson left the party here and took the train for home. The rest of the party took a long rest in Northville.

Those including myself who set out from Batchellerville reached home about 5PM. Tired indeed but agreed this had been one of our most pleasant camping excursions.
July 8th Friday: Whitney and Rev. Hill went with Jimmy (Sturges) to fish a spring hole about a half a mile below Sampson Lake. Brown and Batcheller accompanied them as far as the lake and fished there until they returned. Sampson is a small lake lying about a half mile south of Whitney and is considered a good lake for trout. Whitney and Rev Hill had no luck but Brown and Batcheller caught a string of fine trout- three of them weighing four pounds.

The rest of our party, except myself, took Burr and went over to fish Whitney Lake and returned with a fine show of trout. Eight of the largest weighed just over 13 pounds. All the party was in the beast of spirits and jokes played lively around. Several of the party made a drawing of the largest trout on white birch bark to carry home with them as a souvenir. Chet and I remained around camp all day.
July 9th Saturday: Noyes, Snow and I went over to Whitney and fished for trout from a raft which they had built the day before , but caught only three , the largest weighing a pound. A shower threatening drove us to camp. Rev. Hill and Batcheller had followed the outlet of Pillsbury down to where the outlet of Whitney joins it and up that to the lake. They were on the shore when we landed our raft, getting ready to cook some of the small trout they caught in spite of the threatening shower. They were determined to remain and fish in the lake.

We arrived at camp just as the shower came on and were followed in a few minutes by Webster and Greene, who with Burr, had been over to the Cedars to Call upon Rev. Reeve and being invited, had taken dinner with him. Whitney Brown and Robinson remained around camp. As our meat was getting low Chet and I went out in the evening and in forty five minutes were paddling back with a yearling buck in the boat. Returning to camp we saw another and I fired at it but did not hit it. A few moments later we heard the deer back in the bushes giving the peculiar snort that accompanies their fright.

July 10th Sunday: Webster and Greene desiring to get home tomorrow night took Jimmy and started for Lake Pleasant intending to take the morning stage from there to Northville the following day. It rained some during the night and was raining when they started, so they must have had a very disagreeable walk. Rev. Hill gave a reading from Romans this morning. It was very interesting but not as good as the one given last Sunday from Mark. As the weather was somewhat Lowery we spent the day quietly in camp. We retired early to be ready for the tramp out of the woods tomorrow- our day for breaking camp.

July 11th Monday: It rained nearly all night. Burr was desirous of carrying home some meat with him so hunted part of the night staying at French Louie’s camp after he had finished. He shot at a deer but did not get it. He came down to our camp early and reported that the team for which we had sent by Jimmy to carry out our things had not come. We ate an early breakfast and packing our things sent the guides off with Rev. Hill Brown, Batcheller, Snow, and Robinson and some baggage; telling the boys to start for Lake Pleasant and we would follow with the guides on their next trip. We got to French Louie’s camp about 8:45 AM and in a short time started for the lake leaving the guides to fix their boats and left our baggage at French Louies camp to be picked up by the wagon if it should come.

The weather is still threatening and though it did not rain I put on my rubber coat and boots and took the lead with Whitney and Noyes following. We had before us 12 ½ miles of hard walking so I started at a slow pace. We met the wagon about a mile toward camp from the Miami Stream. We took a little rest at that stream and again at Wilcox Clearing where we found some strawberries to refresh us. We arrived at Dave Sturges at 2:25 PM. Tired and hungry and found the rest of the party preceded us only long enough to get dinner. I spent the afternoon resting. I bought a pound of spruce gum and 9 ½ pounds of maple sugar at the “corner grocery”. We stayed up until 9:00 PM waiting for Dave to come with our baggage, then concluded that he might have met with a misfortune, such as breaking down. We retired for the night, being told by the woman of the house to go into any room we could find that suited us.

July 12th Tuesday: Trum Lyon had sent a team for us from Northville and we were determined to start early and take breakfast at Samp Hosley’s in Wells. Our baggage came during the night and shortly after 5 AM we were on our way to Samp’s. We arrived about 7:30 AM to find a good breakfast waiting for us. At noon we reached Northville and took dinner at Winnies Hotel where Whitney had left his trunk when he came into the woods. Robinson left the party here and took the train for home. The rest of the party took a long rest in Northville.
Those including myself who set out from Batchellerville reached home about 5PM. Tired indeed but agreed this had been one of our most pleasant camping excursions.

by Lorraine Frasier

Industry in the Valley


The Sacandaga Valley history of industry is extensive. This will only touch upon the other industries besides logging in the area. It’s interesting that it is noted among references that even as the main industry of logging diminished in the late 1800’s ; the valley continued to grow. This wasn’t the case in many other of the areas in the United States. When a main industry went out most other industries, including the population, also left.

Grist mills were among the first industry built being the most important . Sawmills were usually located near at the same place and built at the same time in most instances. The woodenware mills produced: bowls, grain measures, rakes, scythes, clothespins just to name a few. Then later on the majority of knitting mills, leather tanning, woolen and carding mills were started.

The first gristmill was built by Sir William Johnson at Mayfield in 1773. It was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and rebuilt. It then became known as known as Romeyns Mill and operated for many years. The mill was sold in 1795 and in the years that followed other people operated which grew into the operation of two stones which would grind about 12,000 bushels annually. Also in Mayfield Oliver Rice began a fulling mill in 1795. Fulling is a process in woolen cloth making which involves the cleansing of wool to eliminate oils, dirt, and other impurities, and making it thicker. Between 1785 and 1830 Riceville grew much bigger and a sawmill, distillery, foundry, and skin mill were also built.

Northville’s first grist mill was built on Hunter Creek in 1790 as was a sawmill.
In Providence in 1797 a grist mill, saw mill, tannery, and shoe shop in Barkersville was built; and later on a casket factory.

Broadalbin’s first grist mill in the village was built in 1808 and conducted a saw mill. As early as 1828 a paper mill was built at Union Mills near Broadalbin by John Carpenter, this paper mill burned three times and was rebuilt until sometime around 1877 it burned for it‘s fourth and final time.
In 1813 a woolen mill was built at North Broadalbin, The business was carried on for some time, but in the depression following the War of 1812 became unprofitable and was abandoned. Years after the war, it operated for a time then burned in 1894 .

Edinburg’s first gristmill was built in 1827; which came after a woolen mill in 1808.
Batchellerville was the site of woodenware industry. It’s peak production of the above mentioned items was between the years of 1850 and 1880. Batchellerville’s population at this time was approx 360 to 380 people. From 1876 through 1890 a series of fires suffered by these woodenware mills caused one third of the inhabitants to seek employment elsewhere.

Fish House and Osborn Bridge remained the more residential communities while Conkingville and Day were hubs of the logging and tanning industry.

In 1891 the Northville knitting mill was started by Eli Van Brockum of Amsterdam and employed 250 people. Building was 94’ x 145’ feet and 3 stories high a with a 2 story coal house that was 22 x 65 feet. The mill produced underwear, shirts and sports clothes. The mill had it’s own generators and was the first building in the village to use electricity. It exited for a few years and went out of business. The building was demolished and is now a vacant lot.

Also in Northville, the only one of it’s kind in the area was started by Ray Hubbell and James A. Cole. The two entrepreneurs started the Globe Metal Binding Company in 1880. Hubbell came up with an idea for metal corners made of brass which aided in the manufacture of oilcloth. The makeshift business started in the back room of a blacksmiths shop on Bridge street.

The first American oilcloth was made in Philadelphia in 1809. Oilcloth is made of coarse cloth, usually linen or canvas, coated with heavy paint, glue, or with an application of many coats of linseed oil. The cloth is stretched on a frame and stiffened.

Oil cloth served many purposes. In the home it was used as floor covering: the fabric was also sewn into waterproof bags, clothing, table covering. It was also used as roofing material and was used to hide rough wooden surfaces to make them easier to clean which included work benches and scullery surfaces. It also gained popularity in curtain material, wall covering, hats and other waterproof garments.

The first patent for “Hubbells Corners” was in 1880 and ten patents followed; the last one in 1886. A Canadian patent was taken out in 1881. By 1880 the demand was so great for these corners by manufacturers a larger factory needed to be built.

Hubbell had four locations in production. The two in Northville were located at Bridge and Second Streets, and the other at Washington and First. There were also two in Painesville Ohio. In 1890 the factory on the corner of Bridge and Second Streets burned and was rebuilt in two months.
The business was a great success. Cole and Hubbell also were involved in the glove industry. The two were also community minded and contributed to the growth of the village building structures for business use and involvement in community issues and government.

In 1910 James Cole passed away leaving his Hubbell to run the business alone. Ray Hubbell later retired passing the business on to his son Frank. The Hubbell Factory on Second and Bridge burned in 1918 leaving behind it’s chimney. Ray Hubbell passed away three years later.

by Lorraine Frasier

Sacandaga Landmarks: What’s left of yesterday?


What is a landmark? Sounds like a silly question; but one a child might ask.
The dictionary definition is: the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape. It can also be an event marking a unique or important historical change of course or one on which important developments depend.

Early in times a large rock could be a landmark. Or the shape of a mountain. Sometimes a particular stand of the same type of tree or even a place where a lot of the same types of things grew, such as hay or wild berries. Roads also became landmarks. In Sir William Johnsons case Nine Mile Tree Road blazed somewhere before 1760 where a tree was marked every mile on his travels from Johnstown to Castle Cumberland on the great Vlaie.

Landmark events could be gigantic like the ice age effecting the whole world or small in comparison like the flooding of a valley. In the late 1700’s through the early 1900’s the Sacandaga Valley had it’s share of both in structures and events.

Some of the landmark structures in communities were churches, hotels, covered bridges, and train stations.

There were five train stations in the valley; Broadalbin, Mayfield, Cranberry Creek, Sacandaga Park, and Northville. Through the course of time in Sacandaga Park there were three train stations if you count the first platform in 1875; then another built between that time and 1920 which was demolished to build the third in 1920 which still stands today. Broadalbin’s station first station was built in 1895 and mimicked Sacandaga Park’s station; but on a much smaller scale. No date as to when it burned After that the Husted family built the one that exits today; a quaint columned Greek revival structure. Vail Mills had a passenger structure no date as to when that ceased to exist.

Northville, Cranberry Creek, and Mayfield stations architecture was very similar resembling two story houses.

There were also five covered bridges: Fish House, Osborn, Vlaie Creek, Batchellerville, and very early on at Northville. Six if you add Arad Copelands covered bridge in Edinburg the only one standing today. These are especially useful in valley landscape photos regarding areas. Most were unmistakable. Identifying old photos is made easier if a landmark is present. So many photos have no identification written on the back.

In regards to villages: churches and hotels would be considered landmarks. Most local people would give directions by the positioning of a church or hotel.

Other Sacandaga Valley and current day landmarks include historic homes such as; Broadalbin’s Chambers Estate on Main Street that is now the rectory for St Josephs Catholic Church. Northville’s John A Willard’s home is now Inn at the Bridge, Mayfield’s Rice Homestead on Riceville Road in the town of Mayfield serves as a museum. The Shew home on Fish House Road the Arad Copeland house in Beecher Hollow in Edinburg both remain private homes . And there are many, many, more than these.

In regards to events: The FJ&G completing the line to Northville in 1875 was a landmark event in the valley and probably a most celebrated one back then.

Imagine Mayfield, Cranberry Creek, Sacandaga Park, and Northville and Broadalbin getting the mail regularly, stores getting shipments, and people being able to get back and forth to destinations in much less time than horse and wagons. The things that took days, weeks, and months before the trains arrival were shortened to hours.

In regards to business landmarks there are still a few of those buildings as well.
Allen and Palmer was built in 1885 and is still a hardware store. James A Cole building, built in 1895, houses the business of The Village Pizzeria and Dr Gruets office. The Northville 5 & 10 was built in 1913 by John A Willard as a general store and remains as such.

In Northville Hubbell’s Factory was built in 1880 along with it‘s chimney by Stephen Acker. Acker was a prominent builder in the area. The chimney is also home to a yearly event. It’s the summer residence to swifts that fly approximately 7000 miles from the Amazon jungle to get there on the same date of May 6th every year. This phenomenon was first observed by Walker LaRowe and Willard Weaver in the late 1940’s. No one really knows when or how this started. Next year the chimney will be 130 years old and is showing signs of age, and may be the only structure left built by Stephen Acker in the Village of Northville.

These landmarks are what’s left of time. A time when on January 1st of 1779 Godfrey Shew returned to the area after his release from captivity in the Revolutionary War and came back to Fish House to build the family home in 1784. When the Rice Homestead was built in 1790 and a settlement grew up around it. When Arad Copeland built the brick colonial for his bride in Edinburg in 1832. In 1888 when Husted’s built the “summer cottage” in Broadalbin. In Northville the Lobdell family home was built on Main Street in 1913. And when in 1880 two entrepreneurs Hubbell and Cole built a successful business that eventually was lost to a second fire in 1918 and nothing but the chimney remains.

Many landmarks have been lost; mostly through fire. Others were demolished and still others are in disrepair. Some of the buildings were public places. Others were private homes that still stand today and are businesses. And most of them contain an identification of what once was; and what still is. No matter what they are being used for now or what kind of toll time may have taken.

The second Sacandaga Valley landmark event probably wasn’t as celebrated as much here as it was downstate. With the flooding of the valley in 1930. But nonetheless, from that came a beautiful lake.
Columnists note: Memories over the years: The 5 & 10 Annex on Main street in Northville was the Oneida market. The Common Ground was Sweets Shoe Store; in it’s earlier history Cam Cheqers blacksmiths shop.

Sitting with a couple of friends on the curb to watch the swifts come back to Hubbell’s Chimney. Kenny’s Hardware Store next to Allen and Palmer before it was torn down many years ago. Also the Old Orchard Inn located in Sacandaga Park when it was demolished in 1965 and the Adirondack Inn and the night it burned in 1975.

The memories above are just a few and also the memories of many others. But to children they are new and different. As you look around the village, town, or neighborhood where you live; what memories could you share?

Not being aware of how much of what’s still stands regarding landmarks until they are gone is a hindsight that’s 20/20. Most of us don’t think about how much something in the village or town we live in means in the way of identification and belonging to a community.

Some mindsets are: “It was just an old building, house, or structure that burned up, fell down, or was ripped down“. Or “What’s the difference if something old is replaced with something new and modern. Isn’t that progress? Or eliminating an eye sore?”. The answer might be yes to those questions; but at what cost to history?

by Lorraine Frasier



Sacandaga Logging and Floods


In the early 1800’s timber that had been harvested from the woods during the long winter would be piled along the shores of the Sacandaga River. The history of logging is rich in the area surrounding the Sacandaga River and the labor involved was enormous.

Each tree was cut by a two man team with axes or cross cut saw and then limbed . The trees would be marked to identify which businessman claimed ownership and would be sorted upon the arrival at the mills. These marks were protected by law and anyone caught changing them suffered severe penalties.

Larger trees were skidded wrapped in chains and pulled through the snow by horses or oxen. Smaller trees might loaded by pulleys, ropes, and chains. Then loaded to wooden sleds. The logs would then be transported to wait on the banks of the river to be dumped into the icy waters when spring had arrived. If harvested away from the river the distance would usually be no further than one mile from the source of a stream that would lead to the river.

The men who had spent the winters in the logging camps would be released from their jobs in spring, unless they also were some of the log drivers that braved this time of year.

The expertise of a log driver is one that would have held most of us in awe today. Standing and walking among huge expanses of logs that at any moment could spin or jam in the sub zero water leading to a fall. Or to have a foot hand caught and crushed among the timbers, sometimes worse.
Some men lost there lives in these springtime excursions. Including Alpheus Day in 1824 but more about that story in another column.

The springtime log drives would provide an annual event that area people in the valley would turn out for. Some of them wouldn’t have seen each other since the winters cold beginnings. The biggest crowds would gather at Conklinville as from there the logs would be retrieved from the river by a log boom with others sent on to Glens Falls. Standing on the shorelines, watching the thousands of logs with the log drivers stepping from one to the other, people would also provide some measure of awareness if one of the drivers should encounter trouble or a fall. Logging men called “bank monkeys“ where also used for this purpose. These men stood on the banks of the river to deflect any logs that appeared to be coming close to the rivers edge stopping potential log jams. And also acted as spotters if a driver encountered trouble.

When the FJ and G railroad completed it’s line to Northville in 1875 it facilitated the movement of these logs to many places. The line also had access to the New York Central Railroad and from there the logs could go most anywhere.

John A Willard’s sawmill was located in the approximate area of where the Northville beach is today and would be a destination for some of the timber that had been harvested further north. From there the Northville train station was very close by and logs for veneer mill and pulp mills were loaded on flatbed cars then transported to these mills. Willard later rented the sawmill to a man by the name of Hartwell.

Sport Island Bridge, in at the close of what was probably was Sacandaga Parks fist season, fell victim to the logs. Although it survived high water and ice; a log jam damaged the bridge. The next construction took the form of a removable bridge This bridge was dismantled and stored away every Autumn under the grandstand that was built on the island in the early 1900’s.

Natural flooding of the Sacandaga River posed many problems for area businesses and residents. In 1885 as the train pulled into the station at Northville the waters an ice carried away it’s covered bridge stranding passengers on the west side. Businesses and homes to close to it’s banks were also carried away in exceptionally bad thaws. Roads became inaccessible which interfered with travel, supply shipments, and mail deliveries.

Floods delayed mail delivery and in later years; Telephone poles and electric poles would be partially submerged and snapped off by the chucks of ice.

At one time an epidemic was caused as flood waters reached areas that would not drain or dry up when the thawing had run it’s course. Many people got sick by the stagnant water that formed in these areas.

The same was true of areas from Glens Falls to Albany, as the Mohawk river already was regulated to decrease the flooding from that point. The Sacandaga, untamed, still contributed greatly to the damage done each spring in these areas.

In the spring of 1929 one year before the Conkinville Dam would close it’s valves natures flood was exceptionally damaging. Businesses were swept down river by the great chucks of ice and rising water. Covered bridge decks covered in water. People were stranded on roads in cars and on wagons. Northville was virtually an island until the waters receded.

This flood also damaged the dam construction at Conklingville. Pushing the timeline back for the man made flooding of the valley. The dam incurred damage to it’s structure and ground where hundreds of tons of dirt had been brought in and were simply swept away with the water and ice.

The men of the lumber camps and woods were a unique sort. Some were local others from out of town just looking for winter work. Rough and boisterous in their manner for the most part, new recruits into these camps probably were given quite a hard time and learned their places quickly.
These men of the lumber camps competed against each other in many ways: Who could cut the most trees, who’d fall off the log first in a log rolling contest, who had the bulls eye in hatchet throws, who could drink the most and other things. Wagering was added to make these competitions more interesting. All these are reminiscent in local lumberman shows we have today. Old time lumberman not only competed The men of the lumber camps and woods were a unique sort. Some were local others from out of town just against each other but between the camps as well in any spare time which there wasn’t much.

In the spring after the log drives were done another tree would become important . When the leather tanning industry started the hemlock tree became the sought after type by many.
All different kinds of trees were used for various things in the 1800’s. And there were all different kinds in the Sacandaga area.

In 1848 Gurden Conkling came to Conklinville and built a tannery on the south shore of the Sacandaga River. Conklinville, like other settlements along the river, existed on both sides of the Sacandaga. To aid crossing the river Conklin set up a “rope ferry” which consisted of flat scow-like boats. A rope was passed through pulleys on the boat and was then stretched across the river in which a hand over hand pulling technique on the rope would be used to move the scow along. Long poles could also be utilized . In setting up these ferries it added a convenience to which residents and shop owners could transport goods to either side of the Sacandaga River.

In regards to leather tanning: The Sumac was used in the tanning of goat leather suitable for book bindings because of the leathers durability and beauty. While oak bark and hemlock bark were used for tanning other kinds of hides and skins. Many tanneries combined oak and hemlock bark to produce what is called union or union crop leather. It was responsible for the characteristic "red" leather produced in America in the 19th century.

When leather tanning industry started none of these trees were more desirable than the hemlock.
The months ideal for peeling would be during the growing season of May through August.
Immediately after the tree was cut it would be peeled. If peeled early enough this bark would be left to dry for the summer then gathered up in the Fall then be loaded for the tanneries
Conklin utilized tug steamboats for moving some of the bark to his tannery. The two steamboats were named the Whip poor will and the Colonel. The earliest date of these boats running on the Sacandaga River was somewhere just before 1855 and the last run was in 1883.

The Whip Poor Will was captained by a man named William Greenslete. These steamboats were used mainly in the transportation Hemlock bark, produce, and livestock. One reference notes that it was attempted to move the spring time logs in a raft formation pulled by the steamboats to Conklinville. But the idea was soon abandoned and logs were sent down loose. It is also noted that this captain would lash two barges together on Sundays in Autumn and take the church congregation members up the river to West Day for picnics.

Alsoin late fall while Captain Greenslete transported this hemlock bark to it’s destination at the tannery. Occasionally he would get hung up on sandbars due to the low level of the river. Blowing the tugs whistle would alert people on shore, then word was sent to Conklinville and another plank would be added to the existing dam to raise the water level freeing him to continue on his way.
Greenslete had a brother, Joseph, who’s life was taken in Sept. of 1855 when the boiler in the steam engine exploded. This steamboat could have possibly been the Colonel.

In an essay titled the History of Osborne Bridge, (the community and it’s covered bridge were lost to the flood in 1930) A storekeeper and postmaster in Osborn Bridge George H Wilber told of a small flat bottomed steam boat which traveled mostly between Batchellerville and Conklinville carrying loads of hemlock bark. Occasionally the steamboat would anchor at the mouth of a stream about a quarter mile above Osborn bridge. It is noted in references loads of hemlock bark as big as a barn could be loaded on these boats.

In the 19th Century, square mile after square mile of hemlock forest was destroyed to supply the northeast's tanning industry with hemlock bark tannin. The tree was harvested almost into non existence.

In most of its range, the eastern hemlock is also browsed by white-tailed deer and cottontail rabbits. The seeds and needles are eaten by ruffed grouse. Native Americans and woodsmen once used hemlock twigs and needles to make a tea which is a rich source of Vitamin C.
Winter, Summer and Fall were the peak seasons for lumbering in the Sacandaga Valley and other areas. Spring was known as “Mud Season” and remains so today.


by Lorraine Frasier

Northville History

Late 1700’s to mid 1800’s Originally part of the Sacandaga Land Patent of 1741. The area was locally known as “Old Ford” and renamed Sacandaga. Northville got it’s name from being the farthest settlement north in Fulton County in 1827. Incorporated in 1873, Northville’s village base was surrounded by the following settlements: Parkville, Hope Valley, Sacandaga Park, Gifford’s Valley, Hardscrabble, and Maple Grove. First Settlers in 1788 were Samuel Olmstead and his brother-in-law Zadoc Sherwood who built crude huts on the east side of the river. In 1794, near the present day Northville Bridge, the land had been somewhat cleared and developed by about forty settlers.

An “Indian raid” took place. War cries and gunshots were heard on the west side of the river. Settlers quickly went to arm themselves against the coming raid. The raid went on into the night. No attackers appeared at the settlement and things became quiet again. In the morning several of the settlers crossed the river to investigate . They found no one dead, only half spent wad casings , and moccasin prints in the muddy banks. But the footprints were suspicious of being Indian due to the absence of “toeing in” of the print. Upon return to the settlement it was discovered that two of the settlers were missing and were not among those who were in the investigating party.

When the two returned, it was ascertained that they had been paid off ($25.00 a piece) by land developers to try to scare the settlers away so the developers could move in on the newly settled property and profit by it’s sale. The two men left the settlement so swiftly, it’s said, that one left forgetting his own wife. That was the only “Indian raid” the settlement experienced. Early farming produced wheat, rye, barley, corn, and maple syrup.

In 1790 the first Gristmill was built and another in 1815. Both operated on Hunter Creek that emptied into the Sacandaga river. In 1794 Ridge Road was a main road from Fish house to Northville. The road continued to Hardscrabble and Maple Grove and went on to Canada.

From 1800 to 1890 the population grew from 900 to 1,992 people. Despite the absence of new settlers the village took great pride in their homes maintenance and up keep. Main Street was formed in 1807 at which time six residences made up the street. A few other residences were randomly scattered throughout the village. Also in 1800 the first general store was built and in the same building was a shoe shop and tavern. .

In 1800 first school built in the village and later two more were built and outgrown. These cast off buildings were used by various groups. A brick school was built in 1888. The yearly salary of school principal was $750.00 and the position also included being the janitor. Gifford’s valley had a school built in 1830. Most settlements mentioned above had their own schools.

Circuit riders followed early settlers to hold religious meetings wherever people would congregate. Methodist Episcopal formed in 1798. In 1805 a meetinghouse was built and shared with the Baptists. Then the Methodists went back to one of the old schools in 1812. The first Methodist Church built was a wooden structure. Then later the wooden structure was moved to build brick church in 1872. After various name changes it is now the First United Methodist Church.

Baptist Church members met for the first time in 1802. The meetinghouse that had been built in 1805 was remodeled in 1847, then ultimately torn down 1869. They rebuilt the church in 1870. In 1902 exactly 100 years from it’s first meeting the church was struck by lightning causing enough damage that the church was leveled and rebuilt in 1903 in a new location.

The Presbyterian Church members met in 1849 built in 1853 and is oldest church still standing. Damaged by fire of unknown origin in 1936 it was repaired. Other religions came after 1850.
The first brick house on South Main Street was built in 1819 by Joseph Spier. In 1820 he became the first postmaster. Still know as Sacandaga in postmark, the village name changed to Northville by efforts of Spier in 1827. Mail was very irregular arriving on horseback until an established stage route came about in 1840 from Amsterdam via Fish House to Northville. On a good day, over a plank road, the journey took 7 hours. It helped some with the regularity of the mail but it wasn’t until 1875 when the railroad came in that Northville received mail on a regular basis.

Historic buildings still standing Samuel Olmstead’s house, Spier House, Gifford’s Valley schoolhouse was moved and is Northampton Museum on South Main.
Mid 1800’s to early 1900’s

Northville grew rapidly from 1850 to the early 1900’s. A lot of that growth was due to the F.J.& G. railroad that came in around 1875, but more about that later. Through that time the village had nine hotels, six dry goods stores ,six grocery stores five blacksmith shops, four harness shops, three coopers shops, three churches, three tailors, three livery stables, two wholesale flour and feed stores, two markets, two cabinet shops, two dentists, two shoe and boot stores, two saw mills and one of each of the following: knitting mill, oil cloth factory, printing office, tannery, lumber and excelsior mill, gristmill, hardware store, drug store, measure factory, granite factory, foundry, barbershop, jewelry store, and a Chinese laundry.

The village was the first to have running water in 1890. The hills above Northville had many springs which supplied the creeks in the settlement below. But Northville still struggled with water problems especially in regard to fighting fires. The 1880’s brought with it rates raises by insurance companies or refused polices to businesses due to the frequencies of fires. In 1892 The Citizens Hose Company #1 was formed the first equipment being a two wheeled horse drawn hose cart. Later a horse drawn hook and ladder was added. Local horse owners were paid $3.00 per fire for use of their horses. Motorized equipment was bought in 1928.

Church bells sounded fire alarms until the company bought it’s own bell in 1907. Hunter Creek was dammed to provide a reservoir to aid in the fighting of fires. Worst business fires on record from 1885 to 1934 numbered 21. One of the more devastating fires occurred in 1888 which 111 of the private cottages in Sacandaga Park burned. Amazingly no deaths occurred in those fires. Following water, electricity came in 1893 then the telephone in 1897.

When the Main Street Cemetery had reached capacity a contractor Stephen Acker, well known in the village, was hired to level and clear the new site on Prospect Hill in 1885. In 1882 he had built the concrete supports for the Northville steel bridge. Also painted the Presbyterian Church spire, and erected Hubbell’s chimney (which still stands today and is home to migrating chimney swifts) He lent his handy work to almost every street in the village. He made the comment that maybe someone would get killed just to be the first one in the newly created cemetery. Shortly afterward he was stuck on the head by a large boiler wrench which fell from above him. He died instantly. He became the first person to be interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery at the age of 45.

Continuing church history follows: St Francis of Assisi Catholic missionaries celebrated mass in private residences from 1887 - 1891 Summer masses were held in the open air Rustic Theatre in Sacandaga Park. Church was built in 1922.

Pilgrim Holiness met in 1906 and built a church 1907-08. There was a printing press in the basement where gospel literature was made.

A bank was formed in 1895. Twenty-eight men subscribed 300 shares for a capital of $30,000.00. The bank was chartered and constructed in 1895.

Village hotels included the following: The Northville House built as a private residence in 1819 eventually became a hotel , The National Hotel burned and the Whinney House was built on the property, Sacandaga Hotel burned in 1888 and at the time a wedding was being performed at a home on Prospect Street within sight of the hotel. When the fire broke out, the brother of the bride left the ceremony in wedding attire to fight the blaze. Winney House burned in 1909 part of the original remains on South Main Street, The Lyon Hotel burned in the winter of 1910 where woman jumped from a window and lost her diamonds in the snow. The woman was fine, but the diamonds were never found. The Riverview Hotel operated until 1930 when it was lost to the flood water. This hotel had steps which went down to the rivers edge and in the winter of 1906 three boys stood on those steps watching the ice break up . The ice, with it’s crushing force, swept the steps away carrying the three boys with it. They were all rescued. The Riverview had also once been part of a murder scene but no details could be found in references. The James Van Every Hotel formerly known as the Eglin House burned 1912, The Brunswick Hotel was torn down in the early 1960’s, The Tower Inn had many names including Anibal House, Kathens Flewellings, Tunnicliffs, Avalon and The Towers. It was lost to fire 1958.

by Lorraine Frasier

The village of Northville is located within the town of Northampton which is in the northeastern portion of Fulton County. Northampton derived its name from a 6,000 acre of land patent of the same name granted by King George II in 1741. Northville’s name is derived from being the farthest village north in Fulton County.

The area was a fertile ancient mountain valley called Sacandaga by the Native Americans. There are different interpretations as to what the word Sacandaga means there is “land of the waving grass” and another is "the river of sunken or drowned lands”.

With the arrival of the white man came the farming of the rich valley soil along the Sacandaga River and many other industries followed. In the 1870’s a Railroad known as the Fonda Johnstown and Gloversville (FJ&G) reached the outskirts of the village of Northville and it brought many goods and summer visitors.

Historic Northville NY FAQ's

The latitude of Northville is 43.225N. The longitude is -74.172W.
It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 807 feet.
The estimated population, in 2003, was 1,138.
Median household income Local $37,566
National $41,994 (Source: 2000 census, U.S. Census Bureau)


Link to Northville Memories



Historic Main Street / Historic Midway - Sacandaga Park
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Many visitors set up tents in Sacandaga Park including religious groups and those tents eventually became summer cottages. The park grew into what was called the “Coney Island of the North” with roller coaster, midway, rustic theatre a miniature train that took visitors out to an island in the river called Sport Island complete with baseball diamond and stands for spectators. Plus many other attractions. Many hotels were built including the Adirondack Inn and High Rock Lodge to name a couple.

But excessive flooding came each spring and the decision was made to flood the valley to control the flooding of the Hudson. A dam was to be built in Conklingville and the valley was forever changed. By 1930 anything that hadn’t been moved was burned before the valley was flooded and in the wake of that destruction one of the most beautiful man made lakes came to be.

The Adirondack Inn expands


In a reference dated July 22nd 1911 a review by the columnist T.E. Fitzgerald who resided in Daytona Florida visited the Sacandaga Park. The information that follows is from his experience in the park that summer:

A summer resort as ideally picturesque as Daytona. The altitude of Sacandaga Park is about 1500 ft. in other words it’s 1500 feet nearer the celestial regions than Daytona.
The place is ideally picturesque and situated at the foot of the Adirondack mountains about a 6 hour ride from NYC.

The Park and almost everything about it is owned by the FJ&G railroad which runs from Fonda a station on the NY Central and Hudson River Lines to this place, a distance of about 25 Miles.
You know most small railroads-or rather most short railroad lines -for they are all the same width-may have inefficiencies, but this particular short line maintains a train service that the Florida East Coast System might well emulate.

In addition to operating the steam system from Fonda to Northville a station one mile north of Sacandaga Park the FJ&G operates a number of trolley lines through this section of NY.
Sacandaga Park was evidently created or rather discovered by the railroad company for the purposes of creating business. It carries many thousands of visitors here during the summer season.
I used the word “discovered” in preference to “created” because the beautiful surroundings of this place, much like Daytona was favored, are in many respects just as Nature left them-although the almighty dollar has been freely spent to improve the handy work of the Creator of the Universe.
Sacandaga Park is a place , and not a town, for all the business places are located in one building: this building has the depot, post office, postcard and candy stand and a retreat where other what-not’s are sold..

Scattered throughout the park are a few other stands but their numbers are limited. You can buy whatever you need however, and that is about all you want. The principal hotel of the resort is the Adirondack Inn conducted by C.O. Chamberlin of the Palmetto at Daytona, and it may be said without any intent flatters that Mr. Chamberlin used exceedingly good taste in selecting two such picturesque locations as Daytona and this place for his resort business.

The Inn is a good sized hotel perfectly appointed and faces the park proper. Although the grounds at the hotel are as beautiful as the ones in the park would care to behold. Flower gardens and beautiful lawns abound on all sides and they are scrupulously cared for by gardeners.
The railroad company provides a band that furnishes music while the orchestra gives concerts on the veranda thrice daily.

All through the hotel grounds are rustic seating and the park, rustic seats are plentiful and one can sit in the invigorating shade and whiff the scent of pine hemlock and balsam to the hearts content.
Columnists note: TE Fitzgerald may have been hired by this particular newspaper to travel to areas and write reviews on the places he visited. At the end of this reference he mentions he’s off to the Elks convention in Atlantic City. Whether paid to make these excursions or maybe he developed the writing as something of a hobby after going to these places is unknown.
By 1926, the towns of Daytona, Daytona Beach, and Sea breeze were consolidated to make the City of Daytona Beach.

Daytona in 1911, the year of Fitzgerald visit , was barely starting to catch on as Florida’s main growth didn’t start until the 1920’s.

The park faces for a mile along the Sacandaga River which affords an ideal place for fresh water bathing. Adjoining the hotel is an excellent golf course and one of the holes in the course is known as “McClaren’s Misery”
This miserable name came about in this way:
One summer D. McClaren, formerly a winter resident of Daytona Beach, was here and succeeded at breaking several sticks at this hole and impregnating the atmosphere with a sulpheric hue, so in his honor the hole was thus christened.

Ordinarily summer resorts of small dimensions are rather monotonous places, but somehow or other the Sacandaga Park seems to be a little different and has such a varied combination of diversions that one can hardly feel anything but contented-the sojourner can bathe, golf, canoe, ride, drive, motor, play tennis, fish, hunt, or just loaf and listen to music.

If you get tired of these they have a very cool sub terrain retreat called “Trellis Grill” This is a popular nook, but in the language of Mr. Post of Grape nuts fame “there is a reason’
Down in the park is a miniature Coney Island where they have shooting galleries, bowling alleys, loop the loops, shoot the shoots, and a few other things. Round an about the historic peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, while on a clear day, the Catskills are visible 75 miles away. This resort is situated on the route of the noted Empire Tours and many automobile parties visit and then motor up through the valleys of the Adirondacks.

The nearest town is Northville of about 1000 population located just north of here and is the northern terminus of the railroad. It is considerable of lumber manufacturing town seems to be the outfitting point for camping parties in the mountains.

Sixteen miles south of here is Gloversville, which as the name might imply, is the center of the glove industry in New York State; nearby is Johnstown, another little city where with metropolitan ideas. Amsterdam is not too far way and is the Mecca of many motoring parties in this section.

The other day I chanced to meet Harmon D. Swits of Schenectady who was here for the day with a party of friends. Another acquaintance who is sojourning here is J.B. Gardiner of Amsterdam.
Mr. Gardiner and his family made their initial visit to Daytona last winter and were so enraptured with the beauties of the “Queen Resort of Florida” that were planning on becoming regular winter visitors.

Next week I’ll tell you a little something about the Elk’s convention at Atlantic City and some of the things about the Atlantic City Proper

Writers note: The reference to the Trellis Grill may have been a speakeasy. Although Prohibition and gambling were yet to be a large movement; folks in these days eluded to certain places that would be of interest to others who enjoyed gambling and spirits.

Many thanks to Don Williams’ ,a fellow columnist, for expressing his enjoyment of reading this fledgling column in a local paper last Sunday . Williams is an author of many books that explore Adirondack and area history.

by Lorraine Frasier