When inspiration strikes, the North Elba Historical Society writes a piece digging into a facet of the history of the Town of North Elba. You can generally find these commentaries posted below and in the Lake Placid News.
Willis Wells Kodachrome Slide Collection, 1940-1949
February 25, 2021 The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society recently acquired 120 35mm Kodachrome slides taken between 1940-1949 by Willis Wells, the former Town of North Elba Supervisor. Willis Wells Kodachrom Slides, c. 1940-1949 Wells was an impressive leader in the town of North Elba from an early age. In 1910, at the age of 21, Willis was elected North Elba Town Clerk, a position he held for seven years. Having experience working in village stores, in 1916 he established his own general store at the corner of Mill Hill and Main Street in Lake Placid. A [...]
Snapshots from the Collection: 1980’s Olympics
Lake Placid Village is always abuzz with Olympic pride, but never more than on the eve of an anniversary. From February 13th to the 23rd, 2020, the entire town is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. The history of our little village is inextricably linked to that of the two times we hosted the Winter Olympics. From the competitors who grew up here to those who traveled from all over the world to gain athletic fame, Lake Placid has housed some of the greatest characters and events of these games. While the Lake Placid-North Elba [...]
Black Flies and Murray’s Fools
Black Flies and Murray’s Fools By Danna Libbey, Museum Assistant For any Lake Placid residents or visitors who spend time in the outdoors, the black fly is a well-known companion. These small, biting bugs are a nuisance that is generally considered a tolerable part of recreating in the Northeast wilderness during early summer (1). However, it is worth noting that the black fly population fluctuates from year to year. This explains the indignant denial of some seasonal visitors, insisting that the flies are ‘not that bad’, whereas seasoned visitors and locals may beg to differ. 2019 has been a [...]
A History of Skiing in Whiteface and Lake Placid
A History of Skiing in Whiteface and Lake Placid By Andrew Smith 26 March 2019 Throughout the history of the North Country, skiing has been one of the most popular sports in a region known for its winter sports. The North Country provides an ideal winter climate for skating, bobsled, skeleton, luge, and other winter sports. Yet skiing-both cross-country and downhill, has defined the region like no other. Before the 19th century, skiing, which dates back for millennia, was mostly a utilitarian activity. From humble beginnings in the 19th century, recreational skiing has evolved into what is probably the [...]
The Gray Wolf
The Gray Wolf written by Andrew Smith, volunteer The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a medium sized, carnivorous mammal almost universally accepted as the ancestor of the domestic dog. It generally weighs between 60 and 145 pounds and lives from 8 to 13 years in the wild. Its prey consists primarily of mammals, ranging in size from the mighty moose to rodents and hares. Wolves hunt in packs, averaging from 5 to 8 individuals. While wolves were abundant in North America before the arrival of European settlers, their populations were reduced-and in many places eliminated-by sport and pelt hunting, [...]
Lake Placid Love Letters c. 1918-1920: The Correspondence of Ray Bryant and Rena Hayes
Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society February 11, 2019 Lake Placid Love Letters c. 1918-1920: The Correspondence of Ray Bryant and Rena Hayes. February is the ‘month of love’ and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by reading love letters from the early 1900s? In the Historical Society’s collection are over fifty letters between Lake Placid native, Ray Bryant, and his future wife Rena Hayes. Ray was a speed skater competing alongside Charlie Jewtraw and the other stars of the early 20th century. He and Rena were parents to Lorraine Bryant, a figure skater, who entertained guests at [...]