Saranac Lake, NY - A Brief History of an Adirondack Village

[@charlesheller4667]

My dad (may he rest in peace) took me and my brothers on a fishing trip to Middle Saranac Lake back in the late 60s. It was incredible.

[@tomchesley2604]

Just rolled through Saranac this past September on my way to Wanakena. I was supposed to be headed on a more southernly routs to Long Lake coming out of Vermont but I missed the turn so a quick tour through Lake Placid and Saranac was had. A true Bob Ross moment...Happy little accident as I hadn't been to either place since the mid 90's whilst I was attending The Ranger School in the aforementioned Wanakena. A couple of my classmates have been doing a yearly camping trip since 2000. I joined starting in 2011. I tell you what when you're out there on the southern edge of Cranberry Lake you can almost feel like you're in the middle of nowhere and time has no meaning. In reality though you could get to McDonald's in Tupper Lake in about an hour and you gotta be back to work on Monday.

[@thehaveners1229]

This was fantastic keep up the great work!!!

[@lpz123]

I’m driving through the village on Saranac Lake now and I had to figure out why it was historic. Thank you for this video!

[@douglasrock9414]

Hey Connor. I'm from this area. I still spend a decent amount of time in the village. My sons band just played in the village pavillions at 2 seperate events recently. We spent my 65th b-day there this past weekend 9/29/2024 stayed at the Sara-Placid Motel. We have a lot of fun in that village.We go to the Winter Carnival every year. A couple big things I waited for you to mention but you did not: Gary Trudeau of Doonesbury fame and decendant of Dr. Trudeau is connected with the village and creates the design for the annual Winter Carnival Pin with Doonesbury characters in the yearly theme of the carnival . Decades of pins he has created and are available each year. very cool! OK.. Now here's the BIGGIE: 'Treasure Island and Dr.Jekyll Mr. Hyde author, Robert Louis Stevenson, LIVED in Saranac Lake for an entire Fall and winter 1887-1888 to convelesce from tuberculosis. He became a fast aquaintence with Dr. Trudeau and much history was made in that short time. The Stevenson Cottage is an AMAZING landmark . actually in the farm house where he and his mother and family lived in a back section of the Baker families residence. Having left Scotland, with his sentimental mother packing many large steamer trunks with keepsakes and family heirlooms, they first landed in NYC where Roberts fame had recently skyrockreted with the production of the Jekyll Hyde play a smash hit. He learned of Dr. Trudeau's Sanitarium and landed in Saranac Lake with all the belongings, widowed mother. and family. He wrote many important essays and works over that winter. Embarking for Colorado in the spring, they were compelled to leave most of the family items behind. Thus, the Stevenson Cottage has the most compehensive collection of RLS memorabilia in the world right down to his baby bonnet! It's unreal. SO, there ya go. Thanx for a nice video.

[@LocalNYhistory]

Thank you for sharing! Not sure who Connor is though :)

[@JohnLove-q3j]

Worth the trip from anywhere just for the views and fresh air . Nice slow pace!

[@Tomangel61]

I love it up there, have been driving through since the early eighties heading to the high peaks.

[@chrisanderson9157]

My granddad, William LaBounty was a professor at Paul Smith's. My other granddad, Tony Anderson was a TB recovery then became mayor of Saranac Lake for about 17 years.

[@wanakena155]

Lovely, thank you.

[@BackyardRevivals]

Do oneonta next, with the college and castle rock and all the other history buildings

[@ForbinColossus]

Note all the houses with screened porches; they were built for the TB sufferers

[@debrarouselle9761]

Let’s keep it country or the beauty will be tainted.

[@BackyardRevivals]

First!