First Lake Boating Scene

Bald Mountain House

Bald Mountain House is no more. It was one of the great Adirondack hotels filled with visitors from around the world. Unfortunately, what replaced it is a collection of trailer homes that have not surprisingly failed to live up to the standard set by the grand old Bald Mountain House. There was an iron archway that stood at the lakefront welcoming guests to the Bald Mountain Colony. The iron archway is still there, but there is nothing much beyond it to remark on.

The Forge House, Old Forge, New York

Hollywood Hills Hotel, First Lake

The Hollywood Hills Hotel sits today on First Lake, Fulton Chain. It has been converted to condominums like many of the great old Adirondack hotels and resorts, but the building is still there, unlike its less fortunate sisters, including Rocky Point, that were demolished. Here is a great view of the rustic interior of the old hotel.

A View from the Past

A view of Fourth Lake on a postcard from the 1900's. Fourth Lake is part of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and runs contiguously from Inlet, New York to Old Forge, New York - from First Lake Pond in Old Forge to Fifth Lake, a small lake at the end of a narrow channel from Fourth Lake.

The Mail Boat

Penwood's only remaining original mail bag, used for sending and receiving mail by Mail Boat. The Mail Boat was started at the request of President Harrison, who wanted to receive his mail at his Summer White House on First Lake, twice daily. The Mail Boat delivers mail on the Fulton Chain of lakes to this day, giving tours of the lakes in the "President Harrison" mail boat. The second Penwood mailbag was lost in Fourth Lake and never recovered.

Pine Acres

Pine Acres was the home of Richard Cohen and his family and is located on First Lake, Old Forge, New York. It is a massive, pagoda style mansion with brown shingles and red trim. The Cohen Family owns the Old Forge Hardware, founded by Moses Cohen, who traveled the wilderness with a pack on his back selling goods to the locals in small towns throughout the region. Pine Acres was sold in 2005. The asking price of the property was $3 million. At the same time, the Harrison House, former Summer White House of President Harrison, was sold by Sarah and Linda Cohen, the daughters of Richard Cohen and proprietors of Old Forge Hardware to this day. President Harrison has the distinction of having started the unique mail delivery service active on the Fulton Chain - the Mail Boat. Eager to receive his mail, the President insisted that it be delivered to him by boat twice daily. The new owners of Pine Acres restored the main lodge and outbuildings, especially the boathouse. The estate is now a great showplace and hosted the annual Old Forge Tennis Classic cocktail party in the summer of 2006.