It is always a chore to take out my jackknife and whittle down such a big chunk of wonderful Saranac Lake history to a few hundred words and a couple of pictures.

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Activities for centennial week

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The ornate and stately building adorned with a steeple and massive fire escapes was the Saranac Lake High School, now the location of the beautiful Hotel Saranac. The last class of 31 students graduated from the school in 1924. It was then torn down to build the hotel.

“The Adirondack Singers will open the week with a concert at St. Bernard’s Church followed by the Centennial Dinner hosted by the Women’s Civic Chamber at the Elks Club.

“A special Teacher Appreciation Night is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4th at the Harrietstown Hall.

“Saranac Lake’s unique history will be dramatized in a series of readings at the Pendragon Theatre on Tuesday, May 5th.

“The United States Postal Service will be setting up an auxiliary post office at the Harrietstown Town Hall offering a one-day only Centennial postal cancellation on May 6th.

“That same evening the Saranac Lake High School stage band and choir will be giving a concert at the town hall under the direction of Fred Baker. The choir will perform under the direction of Helen Demong.

“The Hotel Saranac of Paul Smith’s College will be hosting its traditional Thursday night buffet in the ballroom of the hotel.

“Centennial celebrators will return to the Hotel Saranac on May 8th as the ballroom will be transformed into a 1940’s style night club. The ‘Uptown Lounge’ will feature a variety of entertainment including the mirthful magic of Bo Jest, the Kosmic Konjurer; the jazz and swing music of the 52nd Street Band; vocalist Helen Demong; pianist Tommie Gallagher and guitarist Curt Stager and other performances.

“The remainder of the week is jammed with paddling events on Lake Flower all the way to Lower Saranac; there will be an all-day musical festival in Riverside Park with a variety of food vendors followed by a full London broil and chicken dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“There will also be many Centennial souvenirs including a commemorative booklet, T-shirts, sweatshirts and beach towels.

“Centennial concludes with a gala fireworks display over Lake Flower at dusk, sponsored by Marine Midland Bank.

“In addition to these special events, downtown storefronts will feature a photographic history of Saranac Lake’s shopping district, and citizens photo show will be held in the Cantwell Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library.”

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Saranac Lake village landscape

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I love this (edited) description of the physical layout of Saranac Lake by reporter Matthew Russell:

“Nestled in a narrow valley astride a shallow man-made lake, this Adirondack Village has long been one of the largest population centers in the Park, home to a few thousand hardy souls accustomed to the region’s interminable winters and resplendent summers.

“The village was built on both sides of the Saranac River, bounded on the north by Mount Pisgah, to the east by Mount Baker, and the hills around McKenzie Pond and to the west by Dewey Mountain and Ampersand Bay.

“The community has spread out to cover most of the valley floor, along the buildable hillsides and shorelines …”

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Gone but not forgotten

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Here are a few of the advertisers who disappeared over the past 29 years: Newman & Holmes, The Back Door, Currier Press, Snap Shot Photo, Club 86, Post Office Pharmacy, The Bakery Cafe, Pickreign Plumbing & Heating, Sentinel View Stables, The Porches Bed & Breakfast, Meyer Drugs, Gendron Lumber, Duso Sales & Service, XTC Ranch and the Hathaway Boat Shop.