1898 Map of Lake Placid

About this map

John Browns Grave sits as a quiet landmark at the southern edge of this survey, grounding the landscape in the mid-19th-century history of the abolitionist movement. The High Peaks region is defined by the massive presence of Mt. Whiteface and the Sentinel Range, which together shape the drainage of the Ausable River and the Saranac River. This late 19th-century view reveals a landscape of early recreational development around Lake Placid and Mirror Lake, while the northern peaks reflect a more industrial character. The settlements of East Kilns, Middle Kilns, and West Kilns point to the area's charcoal-burning history, essential for the iron industry that once thrived in the northern Adirondacks. Local commerce and travel are centered on Wilmington and the mountain passage at Wilmington Notch, illustrating the vital connection between natural resources and early mountain settlements.