In our beautiful, little mountain town there are many ways to enjoy all it has to offer. One could hop on a mountain bike to explore remote trails or slide into Nordic or downhill ski boots, strap on skis and explore the mountain tops, lakes, and golf courses. Hop on the Mirror Lake dogsled and scoot over the frozen water to see town from the water side. Snowmobiles, hiking boots, snowshoes, toboggan chutes, canoes, kayaks, etc., etc…all these toys make learning about and accessing our region possible. But how about a piece of gear most everyone of any age has – a pair of sneakers? Where can you go and what can you see with just a pair of sneakers?
With a pair of sneakers or good walking shoes, and a one-foot-in-front-of-the-other attitude, you can have slower, more intimate engagements with the people and places you encounter. At the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society, we recognize that days, weeks, even years can go by without giving so much as a second thought to the buildings and houses on Upper and Lower Main Street or up on Signal Hill or Hillcrest Avenue. They are simply our houses and places of worship. They are the places we buy our morning coffee, enjoy a musical quintet, or pick up our mail.
Because of this, we are developing our first Walking Tour of Lake Placid map which will be available throughout town and on our website later this spring.
Why see Lake Placid by walking? One excellent reason is because there aren’t the same barriers as with other activities. Walking doesn’t require a huge financial output, specialized gear, or extensive knowledge. With a little map, and a little interest, Lake Placid becomes very accessible
Is protecting or preserving the natural environment important to you? Walking minimizes a carbon footprint, uses no fossil fuels, and lets you get up close and personal with not just the pavement but the birds, flowers, and plants on your journey.
Are you exploring with multiple generations in tow? Walking is an ideal way to incorporate everyone into the experience of learning about a new place. Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad plus the kids can travel our walking tour together. Keeping in mind the varying elevations and distances, an hour or two exploring Lake Placid by foot keeps the group together so that young walkers benefit from the wisdom of the older walkers and vice versa. When was the last time you, as an adult, got down on the level of a young child to see things through their eyes? The world can look very different at a level of two to three feet. It’s easy to miss things when traveling swiftly or at higher elevation!
What might you learn on this historical walking tour? How about this…did you know that the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop was the location of the first Catholic Church in Lake Placid?
St. Agnes on Main, ca. 1900
Did you also know that the building housing Beglin’s Jewelers was built around 1880 and was the location of the first drug store in town? This building was also the first home to the Bank of Lake Placid on May 4, 1909. Henry Van Hoevenberg set up his Adirondack Electric Shop in the basement, then known as the ‘Noble Block’, in 1917 after parting ways with the Lake Placid Club.
How about this one… Cunningham’s Ski Barn building was first erected in 1912 as the village firehouse and the building remained in that use until sold by the village in the 1980s. Since 1988 is has housed a ski shop. The most distinguishing feature is the hose tower, which is intact and visible from a considerable distance along Main Street.
Did you know this about the North Elba Town Hall? The first formal town hall was completed on this site in 1903. It was called “The Tin Playhouse” for two reasons: because it was sheathed in tin (a fact that greatly contributed to its demise), and because the “Opera House” theatrical space was located in one of its upper floors. The 1903 building burned down in 1915.
This is just a sampling of what you’ll learn while strolling along our lovely and storied Main Street, Signal Hill, Hillcrest, former Lake Placid Club, lower Main Street and former Newman areas of Lake Placid. Please look for our maps at The History Museum when we re-open Memorial Day weekend. Maps will also be available throughout town and on our website in May. We will keep you posted on our progress with this exciting new endeavor.