I’ll do the math for you. That was 110 years ago. There was no copy in the brochure except the first page and then 30 pages of beautiful photos on glossy paper, some pages had multiple photos.

After the introductory paragraph on the “technically” Information: Population 6,000, elevation 1,600 feet above sea level, mountain heights 2,000 to 5,000 feet. Among the names of many mountains was the following:

“Improved state and county highway systems make Saranac Lake one of the most important automobile routes of the state. Saranac Lake has paved streets, concrete sidewalks, electric lights, gas, sewers, water from a mountain lake (the water then came from McKenzie Pond), and all the sanitation and provisions that a first-class resort deserves. There are public schools, also private schools, and numerous institutions for private instruction and for musical and other training. Churches – St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian. Hospitals. Two national banks.

One hundred commercial buildings to meet every need.”

And then this great line about winter – “10 degrees below zero – yes, maybe 20 or 30 degrees below zero. The balsamic air is so spicy that it gets the blood flowing and inspires physical activity.”

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Enterprise’s 150th anniversary

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I didn’t know that the Enterprise did a special issue on February 1, 1974 – the 150th anniversary is 150 years ago – I had to look it up. Well, actually it was written by the students of Saranac Lake High School.

I only have one page, page 8, and the 72-point heading is: “This tribute to the 150th anniversary of the” …? It must have overflowed to the next page.

Below the heading is a subtitle: “Researched, compiled and edited under the direction of Mrs. Mary Manchester.” So it was obviously a student project.

Under the heading “Famous Visitors to Saranac Lake”, In addition, the students who contributed this information were listed.

“SIDNEY POITIER, the first of his breed to be nominated for Best Actor by the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts, came to Saranac Lake in the late 1960s for the world premiere of his film ‘For the Love of Ivy.’ Perhaps his most famous film was ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.'” — Steve Finn

“AL JOLSON, the singer and comedian, is still known for his performances at the Pontiac Theater in Saranac Lake. He played a benefit in 1927 and broke all theater records by entertaining on stage for three hours straight.” — Calvin Paige

“SAMMY DAVIS JR., actor, singer and dancer, performed at the Pontiac Theatre as part of the Marston Trio.” — Lenore Williams

“MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST of the famous Camp Topridge employed my great uncle Ed Russell as a janitor. For this reason we went to the Post Cereal factory in Battle Creek, Michigan. Some of her art treasures were on display there.” — Deborah Burman

“PAUL HARVEY, a well-known news commentator for ABC Radio, was once the king of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. He can still be heard on local radio.” — Paul Harvey (How cool is that?)

“FAYE DUNAWAY, the famous film actress who won her Oscar for her performance in Bonnie and Clyde, once worked as a waitress at the Dew Drop Inn in Saranac Lake.” — Tracy Pelkey

“VERONICA LAKE, a Hollywood movie star, lived next door to my father when she was a girl. She was his babysitter.” — Pat Keough

“EDDIE CANTOR, the radio, television, stage and film actor, gave his name to the March of Dimes, a fund-raising campaign against polio. When he came to Saranac Lake, he gave a benefit performance at the Pontiac Theater.” — Joyce Plosila

“RAY BOLGER, who played the role of the Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ was also a dancer, character actor and comedian and performed at the Pontiac Theater.” — Robert Willett

“CALVIN COOLIDGE, the 30th President of the United States, had a summer residence near Paul Smith’s from 1923 to 1929. GROVER CLEVELAND visited him there. President Coolidge also served as Senator from Massachusetts and Lieutenant Governor and Governor of that state before becoming Vice President and President of the United States.” — Joe Foley

Does this final paragraph sound familiar?

“In these days of Watergate, energy crisis, gasoline shortages, heating oil shortages and rising prices, we must not give up hope. Those who lived here before us have experienced more real hardships than we ever will. They made it. So will we!”