Now for Some History – 1861 & 1911

I came across an interesting book entitled; Turn-of-the-Century Scrapbook of Jonathan Streeter Gates Bolton, NY August 2, 1847 – December 11, 1921. It is a compilation of newspaper clippings from that period. One short article dealt with Huletts Landing and it is fascinating.

It is simply dated August 1911. It does not say what newspaper it was clipped from. The grandmother referred to in the article is the wife of Harvey Hulett, Olivia Pratt. Olivia Pratt was born in 1798 and died Jan 20, 1872.

The Russel Hulett that the article quotes is actually Harvey Russell Hulett who was the grandson of Harvey and Olivia (Pratt) Hulett and the son of Harvey Hulett Jr. (Both his grandfather and his father would have been named Harvey Hulett) They must have called him Russell because he would have been the third male, all living at the same time, named Harvey Hulett! Now how’s that for some confusion.

The article sheds some light into what living in Huletts Landing was like in 1861. I’ve copied it as written (it does say “shoes” in the 4th line) and the wording and punctuation is as it was written in 1911.

Aug. 1911

Fifty Years Ago – And Now

Mr. Russel Hulett of Ticonderoga in a recent conversation recalled his grandmother’s prophecy. Made fifty years ago (1861), when Huletts Landing was a little farm on the cove-level between the lake and its eastern hills, and when occasionally, city-tired folks searching the lovely wooded shoes of Lake George for a place of rest would stop at the farm house, and, for what would today be a small sum, enjoyed for a time its generous, if unpretentious hospitality.

This prophecy was that in a few more years there will stand “on this very spot,” a large hotel and great numbers of people would come to it in the hot weather. Her children smiled. Her grand-children declared – “Grandmother thinks that ere or two swallows are going to make a summer – by-and-by!,” and laughed. But the old lady, nodding her wise head, said – “I won’t live to see it but you will”.

And they did. Where the ancient farm-house then nestled under the maple tree now stands the Hulett House; where the apple orchard straggled, and the corn rows stretched in pennoned over a grassy, tree-dotted plain; where grandmother Hulett used to sit knitting in the chimney-corner, tables are now laid in July and August for two hundred and more guests; where the clear waters of the lake, washing over the stones and lapping the sandy scimiter-shaped shore, once lulied the dear old woman to sleep under the mossy eaves now rocks a fleet of boats, and a fine pavillion tempts the votaries of Terpischore to “trip the light fantastic.”

Looking Forward from the Past

To celebrate the 300th post on the Huletts Current, here is a “futuristic” painting of the Huletts Hotel. It was an artist’s conception from the 1950’s of how the Hotel would look in the future if it had been renovated. The rest is history.

Now For Some History – 1976

Everyone has heard of Evel Knievel’s attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in the 1970’s but the single greatest car stunt in history was probably Kenny Powers attempt to jump from Canada into New York, crossing the St. Lawrence River in his rocket powered Lincoln Continental. Here is a short video of his attempt. Please don’t get any ideas about the next time you come down the mountain!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLsVWFGO7aQ

Now for Some History – 1865

On this day, April 25th 1865, a 6-year old Theodore Roosevelt watched the funeral procession of President Abraham Lincoln in New York City. With him at the second story window (corner of Broadway and 14th) was his brother Elliot.

Interestingly, though the photograph has been famous since it was taken, only recently was the little face at the window discovered to be the future Governor of New York and President of the United States.

A Chat with President Roosevelt – 1903

Theodore Roosevelt, as the former Governor of New York, who would go onto serve as President starting in 1901 when William McKinley was assassinated while he was Vice-President, had many friends throughout the Adirondacks.

This is an excerpt from the Warrensburg News from July 19, 1903 entitled; The Presidents Guest, Mike Cronin Tells of his Visit to the White House, Exchanged Opinions with Chief Executive on Various Important Subjects

“I got to the White House all right and I tell you the President made me feel right at home. We spent two solid hours talking and some of the biggest in the land had to sit outside and twirl their hats.”

“It may (seem) conceited in me to say it, but the President and I are interested in many of the same subjects. We talked about good roads – our ride when President McKinley lay dying led up to it – the protection of the Adirondack forests and the necessity of the state purchasing lands that are for sale and dedicating them to the public comfort as a play ground and health resort.”

“The President said that people should be careful about fires and that every citizen should extend his utmost power to prevent them, each man constituting himself a fire warden, an especial protector of this great means of earning a livelihood.”

“Well to change the subject, the President asked, “How’s Mrs. Cronin? And Rosey? And Katherine? And Arthur? And Add?” He remembered them all.

“Well Mr. Roosevelt,” I said, “you see I believe in your idea of an American’s duty in welcoming all the little ones that come along.”

“That’s all right,” he said, “I admire you for it.”

“You have got me beaten by one though sir.”

“Don’t worry about that,” said he, “you’ll be catching up to me the first thing you know.”

“After our little chat he sent me to the House of Representatives with his private secretary.”

“Don’t think for a minute I am stuck on myself,” apologized Mike, “or that I think I’m a better man than I was before I was entertained by the President. But I’m so tickled over the way he treated me, just as if I was his own brother, that I can’t help letting the gladness stick out.”

“But I wouldn’t change places with the President. I have less responsibility and a pleasanter place to live. His life is a hard one.”

Bits of Everything

Wild Unsettled Lake George

The Adirondack Museum will open a new exhibit called, “A Wild, Unsettled Country: Early Reflections of the Adirondacks,” on May 22nd which will highlight the earliest artifacts from the Adirondacks. Many of these come from the Lake George area. The Adirondack Almanac has a nice piece about the exhibit here.

Those Comic Books Are Valuable After All

The Ticonderoga Cartoon Museum will open for the season Wednesday, April 15. This is a great trip for kids and adults alike. The Times of Ti has a story about it on their website. If you haven’t been in Ticonderoga in a while, this museum opened a few years ago and it’s a great local addition.

Now For Some History – 1975

From the mid-1960’s through the 1970’s these decals were quite common around Lake George. You would peel them off and the front would stick to the inside of a car window. I haven’t seen any in a long time, so this one brought back memories. They might go back farther than this, but they promoted the entire Lake George region. We’re not sure who produced them so if you know anything about them, drop us a note.

Now For Some History – 1775


In the early dawn of May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold took Ticonderoga “in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.” Crown Point was also captured. The Colonies knew the importance of these forts which protected the great water gateway to and from Canada and stored valuable ammunition.

In November 1775, Gen. George Washington sent Henry Knox to bring cannon from Ticonderoga to be placed on Dorchester Heights near Boston. Knox transported the cannon to Fort George by scows and thence by sleds. A numerical summary of this cold winter accomplishment would be: 59 cannon, 82 sleds, 80 yoke of oxen, 40 days, 300 miles.

At about every six miles on Knox’s route, markers have been placed. One can be seen a little north of the Col. Williams Monument on the road between Lake George and Glens Falls.

The cannon were placed on Dorchester Heights during one night without being discovered. The next day the bombardment of Boston began and British General Howe decided to evacuate and sail for Halifax.

This picture of Henry Knox’s trek hangs in the entrance to Fort Ticonderoga.

Legend has it, that on their way, they passed through what would become the Town of Dresden years later.