Here are the subheads on that exciting story from 100 years ago.

“New Hotels Planned, Improvements Under Way and Extensive Additions to Present Hostelries Will Afford Limitless Accommodations.”

“Lake Placid is on the crest of the greatest prosperity wave in its history. From all sides the consensus of opinion concedes there is one outstanding need in this resort and that is additional hotel accommodations. Wonderful progress has been made in public improvements, such as roads, pavements, water supply and sewage, etc., with developments with amusements, all of which has served materially in attracting tourists here. The Lake Placid Club has been the center where greatest numbers have been attracted due to a well defined program of continuous enlargement both in accommodations and recreation facilities. But the Club is a private institution and not open to the general public, countless numbers who would prefer this resort providing accommodations were assured. True, Lake Placid is better provided in summer than in winter but just the same both seasons find hotel accommodations limited.

“With this condition in mind there has been an awakening that promises a revelation before another year. On Main Street work is now being rushed on the completion of the Wikoff Hotel which will accommodate fifty with dining room capacity for a hundred. This house, which is an enlargement to triple capacity of the former Alford Cottage, contains twenty-four sleeping rooms with baths. The remodeling of the former structure and the larger new addition will place the house on footing with the medium sized hotels of the resort.

“It is reported on good authority that Frank W. Swift, proprietor of the Northwoods has plans in formation for a new 100-room structure on his property adjoining the present Northwoods on the north side.

“One thing is certain and that is Mr. Swift is intensely optimistic on hotel possibilities here. In the trail of his project he would like to see others. ‘The more the better’, he says. ‘It’s what Lake Placid needs and each new hotel will tend to enliven and attract in a manner beneficial to all.

“While The News has been unable to verify the report at this writing, it is nevertheless generally understood by those who know, that the Lake Placid Hotel Corporation operating the Grand View, are planning a large modern addition.

“The Stevens Hotel Company have under advisement a project that when fulfilled will be a monument in vastness, design and architecture. The Stevens Brothers, have been working on the proposition for the past two years and it is expected that the final details will be made public during the coming season. During the present year the Stevens house has been undergoing vast changes, alterations, repairs and redecorating, entailing an expenditures of $75,000. Included in the present work is a new grill room, the complete overhaul of Paradox Cottage, which makes an up-to-date annex with fifteen rooms and eight baths. The repainting work is in charge of an expert interior decorator and in addition to the hotel proper over 1300 pieces of furniture are being made like new.

“The Stevens House has secured the Ben Bernie seven-piece orchestra for the season.

“Cottage building continues along the usual healthy lines of growth. One of the most unique and prettiest homes erected here in years is the bungalow being erected by A.W. Hayes on the east shore of Mirror Lake for the well-known portrait painter. C. Chandler Ross.”

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A hotel or a park?

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Thank God, 100 years ago, the Saranac Lake school district taxpayers voted for a hotel and not a public park or today we would not have the beautiful Hotel Saranac as the anchor of the downtown business district.

And, of course, we also have the park on the original site of the Berkeley Hotel.

Here is how that was decided as the story was carried on Page One of the Lake Placid News:

“A well-defined project has gained considerable headway in Saranac Lake toward a new hotel, headed by M. B. Marshall, former owner and proprietor of the Grand View, Lake Placid, and manager of the Saranac Inn. Interested with Mr. Marshall are W. H. Scopes and H. H. Feustmann, Saranac lake architects..

“The program as originally outlined favors the site recently abandoned by the school district, [the last class graduated from that Saranac Lake high school was 1924] facing Main street and which the old school buildings are now being razed. But before proceeding further the interested parties await the outcome of a special election which comes before the school district taxpayers on April 30. The question before the taxpayers is whether the old school site will be used for a new hotel building or for public park purposes.

“Thomas E. Miller, who is in charge of the work of demolishing the old buildings, expects to have the property completely cleared within the next two weeks thus giving voters an opportunity to judge for themselves what the site is best adapted for.

“There is said to be considerably contention between park and hotel advocates, the former arguing that the price offered for the site does not represent its true value and further that a large amount of local capital will be involved in the hotel scheme. The hotel advocates while admitting a desire to interest local capital, say it is merely from the point of stimulating interest toward the ultimate success of the proposition.”

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News in brief

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“The new St. Agnes Church, the building of which was started early last autumn, is now practically complete, and with the setting of pews, the edifice will be open to the faithful Easter Sunday. The pastor, Father Daniel Cahill will officiate at a solemn high mass. Complete details of this beautiful gothic structure is being prepared and will appear in next week’s issue of The News.”

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“Assemblyman Fred L. Porter sent the following information to the Lake Placid News.

“The Governor’s of several states are being notified that War trophies are ready to be distributed to Villages, Veterans organizations and Historical Societies. The trophies were captured during the World War and include bayonets, canteens, cartridge cases, helmets, uhlan lances, machine guns, howitzers and minnewerfers.

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“Lake Placid Holding Corporation expects to begin work soon on the country Club Golf Links, which though, much enjoyed last season, lacked the finish which will be given the course this year. Other improvements include the removal of unsightly buildings and the repair and painting of the farmhouses, barns, and other buildings connected with the property.”[I have heard though the grapevine that Larry Barney is going to be a caddy at the club.]

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From the “Lookout” — a Lake Placid Club publication entitled: “Advice to Prima Donnas”

“If You Wish to Grow Thinner, Diminish Your Dinner

“And Take Asparagus, Lettuce and Kale;

“Look Down with Utter Contempt Upon Butter

“And Never Touch Bread Either Toasted or Stale”