Saranac Lake history

Foundation and First Settlers

The history of Saranac Lake begins in 1819, when the first settler, Jacob Moody, built a log cabin here and began clearing the land for agriculture. However, the true catalyst for the settlement's development was the arrival of Captain Pliny Miller in 1827. He erected a sawmill and a dam, which defined the village's initial industrial appearance and attracted new residents.

Key Factors of Development

Initially, the region's economy was built on the rich natural resources of the Adirondack Mountains: logging and hunting. Its geographical position amidst lakes and dense forests made this place ideal for timber extraction. However, the town's destiny changed radically in the second half of the 19th century thanks to its unique microclimate.

The decisive moment was the arrival of Dr Edward Livingston Trudeau in 1876. Discovering that the local mountain air had a beneficial effect on tuberculosis treatment, he founded the first sanatorium in America here. This transformed the industrial settlement into a world-renowned medical and climatic health resort.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

By the end of the 19th century, Saranac Lake had formed as a unique scientific and cultural centre. The town's economy reoriented towards serving patients and medical tourism, which gave rise to a number of specific features:

• Architecture of 'Healing': A distinct architectural style appeared in the town with characteristic glazed "sleeping verandas" (Cure Porches), where patients could breathe fresh air all year round.
• Famous Guests: The fame of the healing climate attracted renowned personalities. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson lived and worked here, spending the winter of 1887–1888 in Saranac Lake.
• Winter Carnival: To brighten the long winters for patients and residents, the Winter Carnival was held for the first time in 1897, subsequently becoming the oldest event of its kind in the eastern United States.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1819: Jacob Moody becomes the first settler to build a house on the territory of the future town.
• 1827: Captain Pliny Miller erects a sawmill and a dam, forming the industrial centre of the settlement.
• 1876: Arrival of Dr Edward Livingston Trudeau, whose tuberculosis treatment methods forever changed the region's destiny.
• 1884: Foundation of the "Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium" — the first facility in the USA for open-air tuberculosis treatment.
• 1887: Writer Robert Louis Stevenson spends the winter in the town, working on the novel "The Master of Ballantrae".
• 1892: Saranac Lake officially receives village status and gains local self-government.
• 1894: Opening of the Saranac Laboratory — the country's first research centre for the study of tuberculosis.
• 1897: Hosting of the first Winter Carnival, which later became the oldest festival of this type in the eastern USA.
• 1927: Opening of the historic Hotel Saranac, which became the architectural jewel of the town centre.
• 1954: Closure of the Trudeau Sanatorium due to the advent of effective antibiotics, marking the end of the "health resort" era.
• 1967: Founding of North Country Community College, which became an important educational hub for the region.
• 1980: The town actively participates in hosting guests and providing logistics during the Winter Olympic Games in neighbouring Lake Placid.
• 1998: Saranac Lake receives the prestigious All-America City title for achievements in community development.
• 2018: Completion of large-scale restoration and the grand reopening of the famous Hotel Saranac.

Key Development Milestones and Their Significance

The history of Saranac Lake is an example of a town's remarkable adaptation to changing conditions. From a rugged settlement of lumberjacks to a world-famous health resort and a modern cultural centre — each stage has left its mark on the town's appearance.

• The Timber Industry Era. In the first half of the 19th century, the town's economy depended entirely on the Saranac River. The construction of sawmills and dams not only provided residents with work but also shaped the initial layout of streets around water arteries, turning the wild forest into an inhabited space.
• Birth of the Health Resort. The transformation of the town into a tuberculosis treatment centre in the late 19th century became the main economic driver for decades. This led to rapid population growth, the development of railway connections, and the emergence of a high-level service sector oriented towards wealthy patients from around the world.
• Architectural Adaptation of the Environment. The specifics of open-air treatment gave rise to a unique urban planning phenomenon — "Cure Cottages". The mass construction of houses with glazed verandas created a unique architectural look for the town, which is protected today as a national heritage.
• Scientific Breakthrough. The opening of the Saranac Laboratory brought the town to the international scientific arena. The presence of outstanding doctors and researchers formed a special intellectual environment and a high cultural level here, atypical for small mountain settlements.
• Post-Industrial Transformation. With the invention of antibiotics in the 1950s, the need for sanatoriums vanished. The town had to undergo a complex period of restructuring, reorienting the economy from medicine to education (opening a college) and mass tourism, utilising the infrastructure of former health facilities.
• Olympic Influence. Proximity to Lake Placid and participation in supporting the Winter Olympic Games (especially in 1980) cemented Saranac Lake's status as an important centre for winter sports, giving impetus to the development of the hotel business and sports infrastructure.
• Modern Revitalisation. In recent years, the town has been experiencing a cultural renaissance. The restoration of iconic landmarks, such as the historic hotel, and support for the art community have turned Saranac Lake into an attractive destination for connoisseurs of history and art, harmoniously uniting the past and present.

Architectural Identity: The 'City of Porches'

The architectural appearance of Saranac Lake is unique and does not fit into the standard urban planning frameworks of small American towns. The main feature that shaped the look of the streets was the tuberculosis treatment industry. This led to the emergence of a specific architectural phenomenon — "Cure Cottages". Regardless of the building's main style (whether a Victorian mansion or a modest house), glazed verandas (sleeping porches) were added to it, becoming the town's calling card.

Main Styles and Historical Eras

The town's buildings represent an eclectic mix of styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the periods of the resort's economic prosperity.

• Victorian Era and Queen Anne (Late 19th Century). The resort's formative period is characterised by complex asymmetrical forms, turrets, and decorative finishes.
  Iconic Landmark: Saranac Laboratory. This is the first building in the USA constructed specifically for tuberculosis research, executed in the Queen Anne style using brick and terracotta, which emphasised its scientific significance and reliability.
• Colonial Revival and Neoclassicism (Early 20th Century). As wealth grew, more austere and monumental buildings began to appear in the town, symbolising stability.
  Iconic Landmark: US Post Office. A building with a classic portico and columns, reflecting the Federal style and the importance of government institutions in the developing town.
• Tudor Revival (1920s). A style reminiscent of medieval England, used to create an atmosphere of comfort and reliability, which was important for medical institutions.
  Iconic Landmark: Will Rogers Memorial Hospital (located in the vicinity but architecturally linked to the town). A large-scale complex resembling a European castle, serving as a sanatorium for vaudeville artists.
• American Urban Style 1920s (The Roaring Twenties). The Jazz Age brought elements of urban luxury to the mountain town.
  Iconic Landmark: Hotel Saranac. The architectural dominant feature of the town centre. The building was modelled after Italian palazzos (Palazzo Davanzati in Florence) but adapted to the format of a modern hotel of that era. It was the first fireproof hotel in the Adirondacks, symbolising the transition from wooden architecture to stone.

Urban Development

The layout of Saranac Lake developed organically, following the complex terrain and the flow of the Saranac River, rather than a rigid rectangular grid. Unlike many American cities where the centre is clearly separated from residential areas, here sanatoriums and boarding houses were integrated into the residential fabric of the town.

The high density of buildings in the historic centre is explained by the need to accommodate a large number of patients and medical staff within walking distance of infrastructure. Today, the town's historic district is included in the National Register of Historic Places as a rare example of a town whose architecture was entirely dictated by medical purposes.

Notable Personalities of Saranac Lake

Thanks to its unique microclimate and status as America's premier health resort, Saranac Lake became a home or temporary refuge for many celebrities. The greatest minds of their time sought healing, inspiration, and seclusion here.

• Edward Livingston Trudeau (1848–1915)
  Physician, scientist, philanthropist.
  The central figure in the town's history. Dr Trudeau not only founded the sanatorium that turned the settlement into a global medical centre but also created a research laboratory. His legacy still defines the scientific and cultural status of the region.
• Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)
  Writer and poet.
  The author of "Treasure Island" spent the winter of 1887–1888 in Saranac Lake undergoing treatment. It was here that he wrote a significant part of the novel "The Master of Ballantrae". Baker Cottage, where the writer lived, has today been turned into a memorial museum.
• Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
  Theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize laureate.
  The great scientist often spent summers in Saranac Lake during the 1930s and 1940s. He stayed at the Knollwood Club and was known for his love of sailing on the local lakes, finding peace here away from global fame.
• Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
  Hungarian composer and pianist.
  One of the most significant composers of the 20th century spent his final summer in Saranac Lake. Inspired by the local nature, he wrote his last masterpieces here: the Viola Concerto and Piano Concerto No. 3.
• Mark Twain (1835–1910)
  Writer, journalist.
  The classic of American literature rented a camp on Lower Saranac Lake in the summer of 1901. Although he complained about the changeable weather, the time spent here became an important part of his later biography and connection to the Adirondack region.
• Christy Mathewson (1880–1925)
  Professional baseball player.
  A legendary pitcher and one of the first five members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Like many others, he came to Saranac Lake for tuberculosis treatment. Mathewson became an active member of the local community and lived the final years of his life here.
• Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)
  30th President of the USA.
  In the summer of 1926, Coolidge moved his residence to White Pine Camp near the town. During this period, Saranac Lake effectively became the summer capital of the USA, hosting high-ranking officials and diplomats.