Assembly Resolution No. 1266

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village
of Round Lake, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
events of significance which exemplify the history and development of
the State of New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the
borders of our great Empire State proudly resonates with its rich and
noble history; and

WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities
throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric
and progression of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the150th Anniversary of the Village of Round Lake, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The Village of Round Lake is profoundly tied to its rich
cultural past; in 1867, Joseph Hillman, a real estate and insurance
broker from Troy, and a small group of interested laymen and ministers
of the Methodist Church visited the western shores of Round Lake; and

WHEREAS, Impressed by the pine woods, the nearby farms, the
availability of pure spring water, and the convenient train service,
these men brought a larger group to survey the proposed camp meeting
grounds and 40 acres were purchased that year; and

WHEREAS, On May 5, 1868, the Round Lake Camp Meeting Association of
the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated;
shortly thereafter, a station, speakers' stand and a bookstore were
built; and

WHEREAS, The first camp meeting was held on September 1, 1868, and
lasted for 10 days, drawing 2,000 to 8,000 people per day; by 1869, camp
meetings drew tremendous crowds of 20,000 people at Sunday services; and

WHEREAS, Seeking to escape some of the rough and tumble of camp
life, in 1869, summer residents erected the first cottages; and

WHEREAS, During the 1880s, the name of the Round Lake Camp Meeting
Association was changed to the Round Lake Association, and education
became the partner of religion in the summer programs; and

WHEREAS, In 1896, the Woman's Round Lake Improvement Society
dedicated itself to the development of the library which opened in 1897;
the library is the second oldest in Saratoga County and the first to
have its own building; as a result of such developments, the area became
a cultural mecca; and

WHEREAS, Accompanying this cultural expansion was a building boom,
including the Arcade, a tiny forerunner of today's shopping mall; the

Auditorium, dedicated in July 1885 and enlarged to accommodate the 1847
Ferris Organ in 1888; the Griffin Institute, later called the Round Lake
Academy; and the George West Museum of Art and Archaeology, the third
largest museum in the State; and

WHEREAS, During the 1870s a mineral spring was on what is now the
lawn of the Methodist Church; a pavilion was built and the spring water
was bottled and sold to individuals, hotels and train passengers; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, All Saints Episcopal Church was built in 1892,
and the Methodist Church in 1894, both of which are still in use today;
and

WHEREAS, During this time, recreationally, one could visit the
Casino, go fishing, swimming, boating, or take a ride on the steam
yacht, The Ordelia; additionally, residential needs were satisfied for
year-round residents and summer visitors alike in new large homes and
cottages, and in various hotels and boarding houses; and

WHEREAS, Between 1930 and 1970, and in consequence of the
deterioration of the general economic health of the area and of its
value as a recreational gathering spot, many of the fine old buildings
were lost to neglect and razed or destroyed by fire; and

WHEREAS, Today, a few examples of the large, spectacular buildings
remain: among them, the Auditorium, The Pines (formerly the Burnam
House) and the Cluett Mansion, a large, private residence; also
remaining are a remarkable stock of residences, large homes and small
cottages alike, which retain their Victorian detail and flair; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history and enduring
contribution of the Village of Round Lake to the heritage of the State
of New York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in
commemorating its 150th Anniversary so that present and future
generations may come to appreciate the unique significance which its
history plays in the progression of our State and Nation's evolution;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Round Lake, New
York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Village of Round Lake, New York.