Photographers

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 7, 1995

Behind the lens: A trubute to SL photographers

SARANAC LAKE - Since the 1800s, northern New York has had its share of excellent photographers, many of whom prospered in their vocation here. The works of some of these artists can be seen through Jan. 15 in a special display at the Saranac Lake Free Library.

Despite the fact that almost every household had a camera of some sort, there was a ready market for the images photographers produced in and around Saranac Lake. During the tuberculosis cure years when the population swelled, there was a demand for village views and scenic postcards which were produced locally. Tourism created a market for souvenir booklets of scenic views and a number of those were produced over the years. Winter carnival participants and spectators alike purchased prints of the wide variety of activities. In addition, there was a market for portraits, which was a specialty of some of our photographers.

A few early photographers had come to Saranac Lake for health reasons. After their health was restored, some decided to remain here, opening studios of their own.

Patricia Harrigan, the daughter of the late Leo Commo, who ran a studio here for many years before his death in 1968, recalls that there was a genuine feeling of camaraderie among the local photographers during her father's time here. If one photographer decided it was necessary to raise prices due to rising cost of supplies, he would confer with his colleagues and the prices were raised simultaneously by all photographers.

At the Saranac Lake Free Library display, two cases depict the work of some of our early photographers, and included is a biographical sketch of each. Also on display are samples of booklets of Adirondack and Saranac Lake views which were published and contained photographs of a sampling of our professionals. The third case is devoted to the commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the birth of George Eastman (1854-1932) internationally acknowledged as a pioneer in the field of photographic supplies, equipment, developing, and many other aspects of camera development and allied fields.

In this case are also a number of different kinds of cameras which were used by the average shutter-bug over a period of years. The photograph of Eastman in the display is loaned through the courtesy of the George Eastman House in Rochester. Eastman, whose name is synonymous with the trademark of KODAK and photography in general, left school at age 14 due to family circumstances. His photographic career commenced at age 24, when he and a partner established the Eastman Dry Plate Company; the rest is history.

He lived an exemplary life in private, as well as in business, and believed that the progress of the world depended upon education. Consequently, Eastman donated an estimated $30 million to institutions of learning, as well as to other charitable causes. He was civic-minded as well, much like some of our own early photographers. He firmly believed in the power of advertising, and that belief appears to have been shared by some of our own photographers.

As a fitting tribute to our local photographers, a brief biographical sketch follows on the background of those professionals who were chosen as representative in their particular field of expertise. It is only because of the talents of these individuals that we today have visual images of Saranac Lake's past and the area in which we live.

While not profiled to the extent of the others in the display, space has been devoted to Seneca Ray Stoddard (1844-1917), a multi- talented individual and innovative photographer. Some feel that he set the standard for many photographers who came along after his productive years had ended. The legacy he left at the time of his death in 1917 included maps, guide books, glass plate negatives of many areas of the Adirondacks, and much-more. Stoddard was from the Glens Falls area, but the geographic area he "discovered'' with his camera was worldwide.

George W. Baldwin (1849- 1930) was the son of Jonathan and Elvira Baldwin. He began his photographic career in the 1870s and at various times in his career had studios in Keeseville and Plattsburgh, as well as in Saranac Lake. He advertised that he was a manufacturer of "gold and plush picture frames," and a publisher of. books depicting Adirondack scenes. He also made stereoscopic slides which were enhanced with a distinctive rustic border. His portraits have become family heirlooms and some are also found in antique shops around the North Country. In about 1900, he sold his business to William L. Distin.

Distin (1864-1930) was born in Barrie, Ontario, the son of John H. and Anna (Coston) Distin. He came to Saranac Lake after having lived in Montreal. Soon after his arrival here, he took over the Baldwin studio. In addition to being a prominent portrait photographer, his scenic views are superb. Distin was also a professional artist of high caliber. His distinctive imprint easily identifies his work. The former Distin studio was acquired by Bernard M. Acosta on Jan. 15, 1940.

Acosta was born in San Juan, Costa Rica. In 1918 he moved to New York City and worked in several photo studios. He later was employed by the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, traveling to the South American countries, where he demonstrated film, plates, and paper. When his health failed in 1931, he came to Saranac Lake to cure tuberculosis, and in the fall of 1932 started a photography business here. Older local high school graduates recall that Acosta had been engaged to take senior class portraits and other photos which were used in yearbooks.

Frederick W. Rice (1852-1934) was yet another of our talented local photographers. He was born in Hartford, Conn., the son of Caleb and Jane E. (Buckley) Rice. He had been a boat builder in Essex, and Burlington, Vt. before coming here in 1876. He came in a mule- drawn buckboard, on top of which rested a sailboat Rice was adept at photography and his studio was above his boat shop on what was then known as Rice Point, now Birch Knoll, on Lower Saranac Lake. He is best known for his scenic views of the Saranac Lake area as well as for portraits. He was privileged to be able to photograph his then-neighbor, the noted author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). Rice left this area in 1904 and moved to Seattle, Wash.

Leo A. Commo (1898-1968) was the son of Ambrose and Etta (Cable) Commo. He is remembered by today's older generation as a professional photographer whose favorite subject was children, singly, or in groups. First Communion group photographs were his specialty. Initially, the Commo photograph studio, later known as C.C. Studio, also involved Bernard Carlin and Leo McKillip. After their departure, Mr. Commo and his wife, Roma, ran the business assisted by other family members. Eventually, family illnesses and the death of Mr. Commo in 1968 forced the closing of the studio.

Harold M. Eby (1892-1967) was born in Oborsonia, Pa., the son of Eldred and Gertrude (Cruthers) Eby. This photographer worked at his profession in Saranac Lake for 27 years. He chronicled local events and recorded the likenesses of Saranac Lake people. He was available for weddings, family reunions, christenings, or any other auspicious occasion. He, like Acosta, was engaged to photograph Senior Class portraits and local high school student activities for the yearbook.

Katherine Elizabeth McClellan (1859-1934) was the daughter of Dr. Ezra S. and Catherine McClelland, and a native of New Jersey. McClelland was the only woman photographer of her time to produce images that were on a par with her male colleagues. She pursued her career in professional photography soon after her graduation from Smith College in Northhampton, Mass. in 1882. For subject matter, her first love appears to have been in focusing her lens on the great outdoors of the Adirondacks. However, she was capable of producing fine portraits as well. While a resident of Saranac Lake, she had a studio at the corner of Old Military Road and Park Avenue. She later moved to Massachusetts where she continued her career in photography with great skill. Her booklet on Keene Valley views is on display in the library.

William F. Kollecker (1878- 1962) is undoubtedly best known and remembered locally for the legacy of his winter carnival photographs. His colleagues also took similar images of the ice palace, the parade, and other carnival activities, but it was the astute Kollecker who had the proofs in his window first, thereby having the prints available for sale before his competitors.

Kollecker kept a diary consisting of approximately 20 journals from the day he left his "Papa" sitting on the steps of their Brooklyn home in January 1896. It was then that he took the train to Saranac Lake for health reasons, after having been employed by a Wall Street brokerage firm. After curing tuberculosis successfully, he eventually became employed by William Cheesman, who befriended Kollecker and actually set him up in his own business. His store was well-patronized and prospered under his shrewd management. He advertised widely and wisely, which, of course, was the "Eastman way" of doing business.

Kollecker is well-remembered for his Fedora hat and big cigar. Born April 15, 1878, he was the son of Jacob F. Kollecker. He never married, and when he died in 1962, the future of his store was in "limbo" because no relatives could be located. Consequently, some of the contents were disposed of at the local dump, while the remainder are now held in collections by those who were able to obtain them.

William McLaughlin (1917- 1986) was one of our more recent popular photographers who specialized in newspaper images. He was employed by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise for many years. He was a cartoonist, newspaper reporter and columnist as well, and was highly respected for his talents in each phase of work he pursued. He was a familiar sight around town in his tan trench coat, camera in hand. He covered many events locally, including the various board meetings, tragic fires, and any event that was newsworthy.

Born in Saranac Lake on Aug. 14, 1917, he was the son of Hugh and Hazel (English) McLaughlin. He attended local schools and went on to college, where at one point he contracted tuberculosis and was forced to return to his hometown for treatment. His wife, Peg, said recently of Bill, "He could have gone on to bigger things in life, but chose to make Saranac Lake his home."

"Mr. X" - Who was he, where did he come from, and where did he go to? Two images taken by "Mr. X" appear in the display case in the library. These are part of a collection of about fifty photographs that were acquired by a gentleman in Michigan, They were taken in the Upper Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths areas, circa 1887, and are of fine quality. "Mr. X" had a habit of getting himself in most of the photos he took. This was accomplished by setting up his tripod and camera, and then taking the cord and remote release, and stepping into the picture to be taken. If anyone knows the identity of this mysterious "Mr. X," please contact this writer.

My sincere thanks for the wonderful cooperation I received from every source for the loan of material to assemble the displays, as well as the sharing of pertinent information, all of which has helped to honor our early photographers. Through the lens of their cameras, we today are able to look at the past history of Saranac Lake. The displays will be shown in the library until Jan. 15.