We will be having a Zoom Talk on A History of Harriman State Park @ 7:30.  MaryLynne Malone of the PIPC Regional Museums will be the presenter.

Virtual Camp Activities: Zoom Talk on the History of Harriman State Park

 

A reminder to all Nawakwans and Applicants:

Please be sure to sign in when you arrive at camp, and be sure to pay your camp fees (or note your annual pass number).

Registering in advance with Teri is important during these covid times, but all camp rules are still in effect.

Also: if it’s raining, there are severe leaks in the Nawakwa main cabin roof. Leave a bucket or pail near

1.Living room NE corner by wood stove

2. SW corner over desk

3. south side table and

4. next to refrigerator in front of knife block

 

We are working with the Park to arrange for a new roof!

 

 

All,

We have reached our mandated limit on visitors for these dates. Please try for another date if you’d like to visit.

We would love to see you at camp this summer!

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) is formed from The New Deal.  Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act creating a government pension system for the retired.  Nazi Germany adopts a new flag of Germany, or national flag bearing the swastika.  The Triborough Bridge in NYC is open to traffic.

Locally, the first of three sandy beaches opened at Lake Tiorati in 1935.  Later two other beaches at Lake Sebago and Lake Welch would be established.  (1)  The Silvermine area was developed for downhill skiing at Lake Menomine, later called Silvermine Lake.  Downhill skiing grew in popularity and a second slope was developed in the early 1940s. By this time, six fire towers had been built in the Palisades Interstate Park. (2) The Jackie Jones Fire Tower in Harriman was restored in 2018 by the NYS Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association;  https://vimeo.com/291136930.

“The Palisades Interstate Park Commission continued to acquire private property to construct the man-made lakes.  One of the most newsworthy acquisitions was the cabin of Ramsey Conklin to build Pine Meadow Lake.  Upon his death in 1952, it was thought that he was the last person to be buried on park property in his family plot.

Back at Camp Nawakwa, the Council authorized the drilling of a well.  The Chapter had to assume the entire cost.  Initially, the water was contaminated.  It was thought that seepage down the casing was the source of the trouble.  The present concrete platform around the well was laid and no further trouble developed.  No record of the cost could be found.  The depth is about 96 feet.  (3)

Despite the Great Depression being officially over, finances remained difficult and the Chapter lowered the Camp Overnight Charges to $1.00 for non-members and 50¢ for members.  Day Guests: 25¢.

 

In this period, the New York Chapter constituted about one-third the membership of the entire Club.

• A three-day weekend at Mohonk Mountain House was $3 per day for room and meals.
• The Chapter lobbied for the end of quarrying operations on the Hudson River side of Mount Taurus.
• The Annual Dinner Dance was held at the Hotel Laurelton, 149 West 55^th St.  Evening dress was optional.  Cost $1.75.
• In April 1935, The Trail Marker moved from 81/2 x 14” single sided paper to a folded green format that remained for many years.
• An appropriation of $200 was made for the construction of the canoe dock along the shore to be done by the Park Commission.  The dimensions: 40’ x 20’.
• The announcement of the 1935 Spring cleanup: “There is a lot of wood around to be cut but it has been rumored that a definitely inverse relationship had been observed between the wood cut and the wood burned by individuals.”
• The Park re-shingled all of the Camp Nawakwa buildings in 1935.” (4)

Ellen King
Archivist

 

1. Images of America – New York’s Palisades Interstate Park, Barbara H. Gottlock and Wesley Gottlock, 2007
2. Images of America – Harriman State Park, Ronnie Clark Coffey, 2010
3. A History by Ira Ayres, Adirondack Club, New York
4. 1934 – 1935 Trail Markers