Camp Eagle Island
Upper Saranac Lake, Franklin County, NY
Eagle Island is just south of The Narrows in Upper Saranac Lake, in New York's Adirondack Mountains. The secluded, 31-acre private island is about a mile in circumference, with a rocky shore and dense stands of trees. It can be reached from a landing off Gilpin Bay Road, from Route 30 (on the west side of the lake).
The story begins with Levi Parsons Morton (May 16, 1824 – May 16, 1920). Born in Vermont, he worked in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, before entering politics. Morton was a Republican congressman from NY to the 46th and 47th US Congresses, serving from March 4, 1879, until his resignation, effective March 21, 1881. He was United States Minister to France from 1881 to 1885. Morton was elected Vice President of the United States on the Republican ticket with Benjamin Harrison, serving from March 4, 1889 to March 4, 1893. He next served as Governor of New York from 1895 to 1896. Morton lived at Ellerslie, a Victorian Tudor mansion with timbered upper walls, in Rhinecliff-on-Hudson, New York.
Link to photo
In the 1890's, architect William Lincoln Coulter (1865-1907) began working for Morton on plans for a property in the Adirondacks. In 1902, he switched to a second project, and with Max Harold Westhoff (c.1870-1954), designed an Adirondack Great Camp as a summer retreat on Eagle Island for Morton. It was built by Trombley & Carrier, a local firm in Saranac Lake village for $26,387; with plumbing done by the Adirondack Hardware Co. for $2,966.
There's lots of wonderful information about Eagle Island's buildings, structures, and their history within the 24-page National Historic Landmark nomination form, particularly pp. 4-10 [Main lodge, octagonal dining pavillion, covered walkway, family cabins, boat house, guide's house, et al.]
Eagle Island is one of four of Coulter's Great Lodges still standing in the area. The others are Prospect Point, Moss Ledge, and The Wawbeek. Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) runs tours of these and other historic sites.
Summer 2005 newsletter
On Aug. 18, 2004, Eagle Island Camp was designated a National Historic Landmark (National Register Number 86002941):
- "Adirondack Camps had a strong and lasting influence on the design of rustic buildings developed in the national and state park systems during the 20th century. Developed from 1903-1920, the Eagle Island Camp represents the best surviving work of William L. Coulter, one of the six major architects known for their prominence and influence in camp design. Eagle Island Camp has served as a Girl Scout facility for more than 50 years."
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