View source for Travel in 1860



''Tupper Lake Free Press and Herald'', April 4, 1968 

'''1860 Brochure Published by E. A. Merritt Outlines Routes, Lists Guides Serving Region About 'Racket' River Headwaters''' 

More than a century ago, prior to the Civil War, [[E.%20A.%20Merritt|E. A. Merritt]] of Potsdam, surveyor and civil engineer, compiled what were probably the first good, complete and accurate maps of the [[Raquette%20River|Raquette River]] watershed, from its headwaters to the foothills, together with a description of the various routes into this wilderness area. 

In a foreword dated May 1, 1860. East Pierpont, St. Lawrence County. Merritt wrote "I have visited, personally, nearly every portion of the territory covered by these maps, and made actual surveys of most of the country in the vicinity of Racket River north of Tupper's Lake" . . . His outline of the boat-and-portage routes through this region makes interesting reading today, when a couple of hours by automobile suffice to cross the Adirondacks on any of several of highways. Travel in these parts was neither as painless nor as speedy back in 1860, when stagecoach, wagon, guide boat and "shoeleather express" were the principal means of transportation. Here are the routes Merritt covered prior to the Civil War: 

'''From Keeseville to Racket River and Tupper's Lake''' 

To Clintonville by stage, 6 miles: to Ausable Forks, 6 miles: to Black Brook, 4 miles; to [[Franklin%20Falls|Franklin Falls]], 14 miles; to [[Baker%27s|Baker's]], 14 miles. 

(Ed. note— Col. [[Milote%20Baker|Milote Baker]], who built a small hotel and store on the [[Saranac%20River|Saranac River]] in the early 1850s, and served as Saranac Lake's first postmaster when the first postoffice was established there in 1854); from Baker's the traveler went to the "jumping off" place, —[[William%20F.%20Martin|William F. Martin]]'s hotel, at the foot of [[Lower%20Saranac%20Lake|Lower Saranac Lake]], "where boats and guides can be obtained' for all, the interior waters", Merritt noted. Taking to the water at that point, visitors rowed six miles up the lake and three miles through the Saranac River to [[Round%20Lake|Round Lake]]; through Round Lake, three miles, to [[Virgil%20C.%20Bartlett|Virgil C. Bartlett]]'s place ([[Bartlett%20Carry|Bartlett Carry]]); thence across the [[Upper%20Saranac%20Lake|Upper Saranac Lake]] two miles to the "[[Indian%20Carry|Indian Carry]]ing Place". "The Indian Carrying Place is one mile, easily passed, into the [[Stoney%20Creek%20Ponds|Stoney Creek Ponds]]; through these ponds and Stoney Creek to the Racket River, 3 miles. Thence down the river, 21 miles by boat, to Tupper's Lake, of which 8 miles is to the Upper Bow, and Halfway Brook is just below it. William Calkins lived just below Stoney Creek, on the right bank of the river. Martin, Baker and Bartlett entertain visitors at all times, and furnish boats and guides, with all the necessary provisions, camp fixtures, etc., for parties".