Here are some old match books from the Sagamore, circa 1940 -1950. I don’t think they make anything like this anymore. The coloring on them is just fantastic.
 |
 |
Too Valuable to Light
A Look Back at the Olympics
The Adirondack Museum has a display depicting the bobsled run in the 1932 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid. (Click on the picture to see in full resolution.)
With the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics almost here, I thought this new documentary entitled; “Small Town, Big Dreams: Lake Placid’s Olympic Story”, would be interesting to some. It is airing on PBS stations across the country this week.
You can see the stations and times it is being broadcast here.
A Lake George Light
The caption reads:
Situated south of The Narrows, this lighthouse, off of Bolton Landing, enhances the beauty of an already pleasing scene.
Publication & Date Unknown
Fort Ti Ghost Hunters Episode to Air
It was announced on Fort Ticonderoga’s Facebook page that the episode of Ghost Hunters that was filmed at Fort Ticonderoga will air on March 10th.
“YEEHA! Ghost Hunters is MARCH 10TH!!! Check local listings – as they say. One of the producers said it was one of his favorite episodes ever”
Mark your calendar’s now. (We are.)
Hat tip to Joanne Farley for the info.
Saturday Quote
“They (who) seek to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers call this a new order. It is not new and it is not order”
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
A View From Across the Lake
In this undated photo, Sugarloaf Mountain and Black Mountain can be seen from Sabbath Day Point. (Click on the image to see full scale.)
A Birthday Worth Remembering
January 20th is the anniversary of the birth of Philander Hulett, who is widely credited with building the steamship landing in the hamlet that now bears his name.
I thought today, being January 20th, would be a great time to reflect on the life of Philander Hulett. As the caption above notes, today is the 184th anniversary of his birth. While there were other Huletts living in the area before him, he is widely credited with undertaking those things which literally put Huletts Landing on the map.
He built the steamship landing and the original Post Office. He was the first Postmaster and he expanded the Hulett farmhouse and brought tourists to the area.
Any of these things would have been a lot for one person but he did them all. I think it’s safe to say he was a person who got things done. By today’s standards he died relatively young at the age of 64 but during the 1800’s this was considered to be quite an advanced age.
He lived during an age when people admired those who accomplished great things. The time in which he lived was a time of religious fervor with many intriguing religious happenings going on locally. His father, Harvey Hulett, served as Town Supervisor of Dresden for a short period of time. He would eventually sell his property, move to Florida, but would return before he died. We can only imagine what the area was like when he lived here but the cemetery in which he is buried was at one time, the Hulett family cemetery.
While nothing is known about his temperament, his actions would directly and indirectly lead to the beautiful community which exists today on the east shore of Lake George. To accomplish what he did, it took initiative, hard work and motivation. So today, on the anniversary of his birth, it is only proper and fitting to honor the man, Philander Hulett.
What is This Strange Device?
This is the original night watchman’s clock used throughout the history of the Huletts Hotel. Night watchmen at major hotels carried this device with them throughout the evening.
Now you might be asking; “What is a night watchman’s clock?”
Well between 1910 and 1940 it was actually a piece of new technology to see that a night watchman was properly doing his rounds. It worked this way. By definition a night watchman was on the job while everyone else was asleep. So theoretically it was possible for a night watchman to take a little time off from his job without anyone knowing because they were asleep. However, if the guard could prove he was doing his rounds, and was in the right place at the right time, his job performance couldn’t be questioned. This led to the watchman’s clock.
A guard would carry this clock and proceed on his rounds throughout the night. At certain places there would be a “station” with a key that he would put into the clock which would record what time he had visited that station. There were numerous stations within the hotel and on the grounds. One station was behind the Casino.
Inserting a station’s key into his clock would record the time that the night watchman was at that station.
Many hotels made their night watchmen carry this device. As you can see in the picture below, it was specifically made by “Lathem Watchman’s Clock Company”.
With the advent of modern computer and video technology, this device became completely obsolete.
I’ve always wondered what stories a clock like this could tell. Imagine numerous night watchmen swinging it as they proceeded on their rounds during the many years it was in use. Note that the cord is knotted on the end to make it easier to carry. It’s also quite heavy.
So, I have heard stories that the night watchman had heavy footsteps. While I can’t verify this, we at least know he walked on time!
Happy 2010
Here’s to a Happy New Year with some resolution ideas:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.— Oren Arnold
Now for Some History: 1910
George Washington Was Near
A sign dedicated to George Washington’s visit to Kingsbury stands in the park in the center of Hudson Falls.
Now for Some History: 1980
The dormitory that housed the hotel’s employees stood for approximately 40 years more than the hotel itself. Here it is seen in 1980.
The Ghost of Ticonderoga
The grave of Duncan Campbell is located in Fort Edward, NY.
One of the most famous ghost stories ever began in Scotland and ended, hundreds of miles away, in North America in 1758. Read the legend here.
Read more about Duncan Campbell here.
Now for Some History: 1919
“The forest fire on Elephant Mountain, (July 22, 1919) caused excitement among the summer colony at the Landing when it burned an area of sixty acres. The reflection from the flames illuminated the surrounding country which gave a very beautiful color effect on the waters of the lake. A number of our guests assisted in extinguishing the flames.”
Henry W. Buckell
Owner of the first Huletts House Hotel & Lakeside Inn
Writing about the incident in 1919