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History of Lake Placid, New York, USA
Journey back in time to Lake Placid, New York, USA
Explore Lake Placid, New York, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Lake Placid Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States.
The Village of Lake Placid is near the center of the Town of North Elba, 52 miles (84 km) southwest of Plattsburgh. Lake Placid, along with nearby Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, comprise what is known as the Tri-Lakes region. Lake Placid hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
Lake Placid was founded in the early 19th century to develop an iron ore mining operation. By 1840, the population of "North Elba" (four miles southeast of the present village near where the road to the Adirondak Loj crosses the Ausable River) consisted of six families. In 1845, Gerrit Smith arrived in North Elba and not only bought a great deal of land around the village, but granted large tracts to former slaves, reforming the land law and reflecting his support of Abolitionism.
The abolitionist John Brown heard about Gerrit Smith's reforms, and left his anti-slavery activities in Kansas to buy 244 acres (1.0 km2) of land, which later became known as the "Freed Slave Utopian Experiment," Timbucto. Shortly before his execution in 1859, John Brown asked to be buried on his farm, which is preserved as the John Brown Farm State Historic Site.
As leisure time increased in the late 19th century, Lake Placid was discovered by the rich and famous, who were drawn to the fashionable Lake Placid Club. Melvil Dewey, who invented the Dewey Decimal System, designed what was then called "Placid Park Club" in 1895 and inspired the village to change its name to Lake Placid, which became an incorporated village in 1900. Dewey kept the club open through the winter in 1905, which aided the development of winter sports in the area, although nearby Saranac Lake had hosted an international winter sporting event as early as 1889.
By 1921, the area could boast a ski jump, speed skating venue and ski association, and in 1929, Dr. Godfrey Dewey, Melvil's son, was able to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Lake Placid had the best winter sports facilities in the nation.[2] The Lake Placid Club was the headquarters for the IOC for the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
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Lake Placid Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Lake Placid, New York, USA
Postcard
Main Street, Lake Placid, Adirondacks, N. Y.
Lake Placid, New York, USA
Postcard
Lake Placid, Adirondack Mountains, N. Y.
Lake Placid, New York, USA
Postcard
Lake Placid Club
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to LAKE PLACID
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Discover Lake Placid: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1909 - LIFE LOST IN BURNED ADIRONDACK HOTEL. Employe of the Ruisseaumont Went Back for His Watch - Dies of His Injuries.
MISS QUINLAN RESCUED
Young New York Woman Was Overlooked at First, but Later Taken Down on a Rope - $180,000 Loss.
Special to The New York Times.
LAKE PLACID, N. Y., July 2. - One death and several narrow escapes from death are the result of the destruction of the second hotel by fire at this resort within the space of a few weeks. Albert Clapsaddle of Ilion, N.Y., an employe of the Hotel Ruisseaumont, who was badly burned when that hotel was destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning, died of his injuries this afternoon. A number of New Yorkers who lost all of their personal belongings and suffered greatly from shock are now being cared for at other hotels and at the cottages here. They were aroused from sleep and had to hurry from the hotel.
Clapsaddle, who was houseman at the Ruisseaumont and roomed on the third floor under the tower in which the fire was first discovered, lost his life by going back to his room for his watch, when he was overcome by the flames and ... Read MORE...
MISS QUINLAN RESCUED
Young New York Woman Was Overlooked at First, but Later Taken Down on a Rope - $180,000 Loss.
Special to The New York Times.
LAKE PLACID, N. Y., July 2. - One death and several narrow escapes from death are the result of the destruction of the second hotel by fire at this resort within the space of a few weeks. Albert Clapsaddle of Ilion, N.Y., an employe of the Hotel Ruisseaumont, who was badly burned when that hotel was destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning, died of his injuries this afternoon. A number of New Yorkers who lost all of their personal belongings and suffered greatly from shock are now being cared for at other hotels and at the cottages here. They were aroused from sleep and had to hurry from the hotel.
Clapsaddle, who was houseman at the Ruisseaumont and roomed on the third floor under the tower in which the fire was first discovered, lost his life by going back to his room for his watch, when he was overcome by the flames and ... Read MORE...
1916
Lake Placid, a post-village and summer-resort of Essex 00., N.Y., in the Adirondack region, and on the Delaware and Hudson R., 8 miles SE. of Saranac Lake (28 miles by road from Elizabethtown). It is at the S. end of Lake Placid, at an elevation of 1860 feet. Pop. about 750.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Lake Placid, a post-village and summer-resort of Essex 00., N.Y., in the Adirondack region, and on the Delaware and Hudson R., 8 miles SE. of Saranac Lake (28 miles by road from Elizabethtown). It is at the S. end of Lake Placid, at an elevation of 1860 feet. Pop. about 750.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1932 - February 4 - 3rd Winter Olympic games open in Lake Placid, NY
1932-02-06 - 1st Olympic dog sled race, Lake Placid, NY (demonstration sport)
historyorb.com
February 4, 1932
1932-02-06 - 1st Olympic dog sled race, Lake Placid, NY (demonstration sport)
historyorb.com
February 4, 1932
1966 - FIVE PRESUMED DEAD IN BLAZE AT LAKE PLACID'S MARCY HOTEL.
Special to The Post-Standard.
Lake Placid - A search of ice-sheathed debris will begin Thursday in an effort to recover the bodies of five men missing and presumed dead after a fire Wednesday which destroyed a wing of Hotel Marcy.
The missing men, all employes of the famed resort hotel, were identified by Police Chief Charles Prasse as:
MILTON ANINGER, about 50, of Lake Placid.
CLYDE HOISINGTON, 50, of Lake Placid.
MICHAEL GOTHWIN, 19, of the Bronx.
JAMES GRAY, 62, Montreal, Canada.
MICHAEL GUDZ, 67, Montreal, Canada.
The body of one of the men hung over a portion of the smoldering ruins Wednesday. Recovery efforts were futile and he remained unidentified.
Attempts to extricate the body and a search for the others was halted by mid-evening Wednesday because a police department spokesman said
"the area is frozen over and too trecherous."
He explained that water used to battle the fire had frozen. In addition, he said, "so much debris cluttered the area that it was... Read MORE...
Special to The Post-Standard.
Lake Placid - A search of ice-sheathed debris will begin Thursday in an effort to recover the bodies of five men missing and presumed dead after a fire Wednesday which destroyed a wing of Hotel Marcy.
The missing men, all employes of the famed resort hotel, were identified by Police Chief Charles Prasse as:
MILTON ANINGER, about 50, of Lake Placid.
CLYDE HOISINGTON, 50, of Lake Placid.
MICHAEL GOTHWIN, 19, of the Bronx.
JAMES GRAY, 62, Montreal, Canada.
MICHAEL GUDZ, 67, Montreal, Canada.
The body of one of the men hung over a portion of the smoldering ruins Wednesday. Recovery efforts were futile and he remained unidentified.
Attempts to extricate the body and a search for the others was halted by mid-evening Wednesday because a police department spokesman said
"the area is frozen over and too trecherous."
He explained that water used to battle the fire had frozen. In addition, he said, "so much debris cluttered the area that it was... Read MORE...
1980 - February 14 - 13th Winter Olympic games open in Lake Placid, NY
historyorb.com
February 14, 1980
historyorb.com
February 14, 1980
Lake Placid has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this picturesque village:
Mirror Lake: Start your Lake Placid adventure with a leisurely stroll around Mirror Lake. The serene lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the shores.
Olympic Sites: Lake Placid is famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. You can visit Olympic venues such as the Olympic Center, home to the "Miracle on Ice" hockey game, and the Olympic Jumping Complex, where you can watch ski jumpers in action.
Whiteface Mountain: For outdoor enthusiasts, a trip to Whiteface Mountain is a must. In the summer, hike or drive to the summit for panoramic views of the Adirondacks. In the winter, it's a premier skiing and snowboarding destination.
Lake Placid Olympic Museum: Learn about the rich Olympic history of the area at this museum. It's a great place to see memorabilia from past games and relive the moments of glory.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad: Hop aboard the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for... Read MORE...
Mirror Lake: Start your Lake Placid adventure with a leisurely stroll around Mirror Lake. The serene lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the shores.
Olympic Sites: Lake Placid is famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. You can visit Olympic venues such as the Olympic Center, home to the "Miracle on Ice" hockey game, and the Olympic Jumping Complex, where you can watch ski jumpers in action.
Whiteface Mountain: For outdoor enthusiasts, a trip to Whiteface Mountain is a must. In the summer, hike or drive to the summit for panoramic views of the Adirondacks. In the winter, it's a premier skiing and snowboarding destination.
Lake Placid Olympic Museum: Learn about the rich Olympic history of the area at this museum. It's a great place to see memorabilia from past games and relive the moments of glory.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad: Hop aboard the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Lake Placid Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Lake Placid, New York, USA
We currently have information about 5 ancestors who were born or died in Lake Placid.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/19/2023 2:54:28 PM