“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Abraham Lincoln
December 5, 1492
Today is the anniversary of the day Christopher Columbus became the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola, or in more simple terms, discovered the “New World”. This event was probably one of the most significant days of the last millennium, directly initiating the process of colonization which foreshadowed the general European colonization of the “New World.” He is widely considered to be the man who brought Christianity across the Atlantic. So today we salute Christopher Columbus; navigator, explorer and champion of “Western” Civilization.
Now for Some History – 1895
This is a fascinating picture showing the steamship landing in Huletts in 1895. It’s a little blurry, so click on the image to see it in larger scale. We apologize for the clarity of the image but this is how we found it. Remember it was taken in 1895.
Wobi Mandanondo, “The White Devil”, is Coming
When you think of the word, “frontiersman”, Robert Rogers (1731 -1795) was the living embodiment of the word. The Indian’s gave him the name Wobi Mandanondo, “The White Devil” because of his cunning in commanding the famous Rogers’ Rangers that fought for the British during the French and Indian War. Rogers’ Rangers were the only non-Indian force capable of operating in the inhospitable mountainous terrain during the harsh winter. The US Army Rangers, to this day, use his “Rogers’ Rules of Ranging” in the U.S. Army’s Ranger handbook.
Rogers Slide, at the northern end of the lake, is so named after the legend which circulated after the Second Battle of the Snowshoes on March 13, 1758 were Rogers himself was originally reported by the French to have been killed, which in fact was not true. This report stemmed from the manner of Rogers’ escape during which he discarded some of his belongings, including his regimental coat, and supposedly slid down 400 feet to the frozen surface of Lake George and escaped over the ice. While there is no proof of this event, the rockface he supposedly went down has become known as ‘Rogers’ Slide or ‘Rogers Rock.’
The story of his life is quite fascinating, starting with him being a member of a counterfeiting gang, to being sent to America as punishment, ultimately being charged with treason but later being vindicated, all the way to being arrested by George Washington during the revolution to finally ending up in a debtor’s prison. We can only assume that somewhere along the way he walked in Huletts. A statue was dedicated to him, on Rogers Island in Fort Edward on Memorial Day 2005. It’s a nice stop on the way home on a Sunday afternoon.
For a fascinating read about a fascinating life, this book is great and for an interesting take by a local author, check this site out.
Now for Some History – 1891
This drawing accompanied a piece which ran in Harpers Weekly magazine in 1891. Entitled, A Day on Lake George, it clearly shows Deers Leap and the area right across the lake from Huletts, in front of Sabbath Day Point. What is interesting to note is the clothing of the passengers. (Click on the image to see it in larger detail.)
Now for Some History – 1950’s
You may not have known that there were a few radio advertisements made for the last Huletts Hotel during the 1950’s. We have unearthed one original radio spot which is currently being converted into digital format. We will release this historical ad; here on Christmas Day, December 25th, for you to listen to. We’ll give you a tease that it’s both historical and humerous, but it is certainly worth returning for.
Logging in the Adirondacks
This is a real good piece (about 7 minutes) about the history of logging in the Adirondacks. Logging and tourism are two industries that the Adirondack Park Agency is supposed to specifically encourage. It’s also presents the history of the formation of the Adirondack Park in the late 1800’s. It points out correctly, that private land has always been a big part of the Adirondack Park.
Now for Some History – 1908
Here is an old postcard from approximately 1908, looking in from Huletts Island. Click on the picture to see a larger view.