Baker's Hotel - Revision history

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	'''Other information:'''		'''Other information:'''

	By 1854, early settler Colonel [[Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[Amelia ~~Matilda~~ Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[Saranac River]]".		By 1854, early settler Colonel [[Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[Amelia Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[Saranac River]]".
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	Frederick J. Seaver, ''Historical Sketches of Franklin County'', Albany, NY: J. B. Lyon Co., 1918 ([~~http~~://books.google.com/books?pg=PA374&dq=~~"hilyer miller"~~&ei=JPoyTZrzKonVgAeh4cGbCw&ct=result&sqi=2&id=FNh4AAAAMAAJ&output=text full text])		Frederick J. Seaver, ''Historical Sketches of Franklin County'', Albany, NY: J. B. Lyon Co., 1918 ([https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA374&dq=%22hilyer%20miller%22&ei=JPoyTZrzKonVgAeh4cGbCw&ct=result&sqi=2&id=FNh4AAAAMAAJ&output=text full text])

	Milote Baker opened a boarding house or hotel and store in 1851 about a mile below the village, but in Essex county. He was a natural host, and his place had a wide reputation and great popularity, though of course in a small way as compared with later enterprises of a similar sort. The sportsmen who stopped with him sought their fishing and hunting for the most part at the lake, and as indicative of the former abundance of game it is told that Mr. Baker employed thirty men as hunters in 1868, kept two teams constantly on the road in autumn and early winter, hauling venison to market, and shipped five hundred deer. His store burned in 1869, but was rebuilt.		Milote Baker opened a boarding house or hotel and store in 1851 about a mile below the village, but in Essex county. He was a natural host, and his place had a wide reputation and great popularity, though of course in a small way as compared with later enterprises of a similar sort. The sportsmen who stopped with him sought their fishing and hunting for the most part at the lake, and as indicative of the former abundance of game it is told that Mr. Baker employed thirty men as hunters in 1868, kept two teams constantly on the road in autumn and early winter, hauling venison to market, and shipped five hundred deer. His store burned in 1869, but was rebuilt.

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	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]

			'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street

	'''Old Address:''' [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]		'''Old Address:''' [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]

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	'''One of First Hotels Erected in the Adirondacks Destroyed Sunday Morning.'''		'''One of First Hotels Erected in the Adirondacks Destroyed Sunday Morning.'''

	The building known as the old Baker hotel in Saranac Lake, originally erected many years ago beside the river on the east side of [[Baker bridge\|Baker bridge]] where [[~~Wallace Murray\|~~Wallace Murray]]'s residence now stands, but moved a few years ago to [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] and converted into an apartment house, was practically destroyed by fire Sunday morning. Only the shell remains.		The building known as the old Baker hotel in Saranac Lake, originally erected many years ago beside the river on the east side of [[Baker bridge\|Baker bridge]] where [[Wallace Murray]]'s residence now stands, but moved a few years ago to [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] and converted into an apartment house, was practically destroyed by fire Sunday morning. Only the shell remains.

	Col. Milote Baker, who settled at Saranac Lake in 1852, built the hotel, which was once the only hotel in that section of the Adirondacks. Governor Seymour and party were among the early visitors entertained at the hotel and many other notables frequented it. Col. Baker married the widow of the brother of [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of New York, and the latter, who was a close friend of the family often visited Baker's.		Col. Milote Baker, who settled at Saranac Lake in 1852, built the hotel, which was once the only hotel in that section of the Adirondacks. Governor Seymour and party were among the early visitors entertained at the hotel and many other notables frequented it. Col. Baker married the widow of the brother of [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of New York, and the latter, who was a close friend of the family often visited Baker's.
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	'''Many Famous People Were Guests There, Including Those on Way to 'Philosopher's Camp' — Millionaires Slept on Its Floors.'''		'''Many Famous People Were Guests There, Including Those on Way to 'Philosopher's Camp' — Millionaires Slept on Its Floors.'''

	There is a new house being erected these days for [[~~Wallace Murray\|~~Wallace Murray]] at the long-vacant lot where Main Street cuts across Pine Street into Stevenson Lane. And thereby hangs a tale; not of the new house but its site. For years this vacant site has been an object of military and historic interest to visitors. A grassy plot with an old foundation excavation in the middle and fenced in from the street by an old-fashioned fence half-hidden in wild rose-bushes, it was once the site of the old Baker Hotel which was moved bodily to where it now stands as a residence a little further up the lane. In July and August, when the wild roses are in full bloom the picturesque old fence has been photographed by many summer visitors to the Stevenson Memorial and by others interested in literary and historic landmarks. The old Baker Hotel was the first and earliest of Adirondack hotels in this region. It was built in the early fifties and in its time entertained all the distinguished guests who made early trips through the woods. In the early sixties one of the visitors was Lady [[Amelia Murray\|Amelia Murray]], a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria who escorted by [[Horatio Seymour\|Governor Seymour]] of New York was the first woman to "cross the woods", as the saying was in those days. Overcrowded often in the summer season millionaires many a time were glad to sleep on the old timber floors of Baker's [illegible] about the time of the Civil War the Philosophers of Ampersand Pond, Lowell, Emerson, Agassiz, Judge Hoar, Bayard Taylor and others stopped for dinner and sometimes, before they made Martin's on the Lower Lake their headquarters, styed overnight and discussed abstruse matters. Well, the old fence is gone but possibly the wild roses may remain around the walls of the new stone residence in which the Murray family proposes to live. No more will pilgrims to literary Saranac stand before the grass-grown gate and think of the days when Lowell said he would not take a step further into the woods if Emerson was going to be allowed to carry a gun. It took no powerful imagination to see again the absent smile on the face of the Sage of Concord where he sat by Baker's fire taking the chaff because he forgot to shoot a buck when the "most remarkable creation of grace" he had ever seen suddenly emerged on a deer drive and "turned its soulful limpid eyes" upon him.		There is a new house being erected these days for [[Wallace Murray]] at the long-vacant lot where Main Street cuts across Pine Street into Stevenson Lane. And thereby hangs a tale; not of the new house but its site. For years this vacant site has been an object of military and historic interest to visitors. A grassy plot with an old foundation excavation in the middle and fenced in from the street by an old-fashioned fence half-hidden in wild rose-bushes, it was once the site of the old Baker Hotel which was moved bodily to where it now stands as a residence a little further up the lane. In July and August, when the wild roses are in full bloom the picturesque old fence has been photographed by many summer visitors to the Stevenson Memorial and by others interested in literary and historic landmarks. The old Baker Hotel was the first and earliest of Adirondack hotels in this region. It was built in the early fifties and in its time entertained all the distinguished guests who made early trips through the woods. In the early sixties one of the visitors was Lady [[Amelia Murray\|Amelia Murray]], a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria who escorted by [[Horatio Seymour\|Governor Seymour]] of New York was the first woman to "cross the woods", as the saying was in those days. Overcrowded often in the summer season millionaires many a time were glad to sleep on the old timber floors of Baker's [illegible] about the time of the Civil War the Philosophers of Ampersand Pond, Lowell, Emerson, Agassiz, Judge Hoar, Bayard Taylor and others stopped for dinner and sometimes, before they made Martin's on the Lower Lake their headquarters, styed overnight and discussed abstruse matters. Well, the old fence is gone but possibly the wild roses may remain around the walls of the new stone residence in which the Murray family proposes to live. No more will pilgrims to literary Saranac stand before the grass-grown gate and think of the days when Lowell said he would not take a step further into the woods if Emerson was going to be allowed to carry a gun. It took no powerful imagination to see again the absent smile on the face of the Sage of Concord where he sat by Baker's fire taking the chaff because he forgot to shoot a buck when the "most remarkable creation of grace" he had ever seen suddenly emerged on a deer drive and "turned its soulful limpid eyes" upon him.
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	[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]; 7 - [[~~Branch and Callanan\|~~Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street\|Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage\|Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson\|William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street\|Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage\|Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson\|William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]

	[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker\|Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling\|Mary Hotaling]]. ]]		[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker\|Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling\|Mary Hotaling]]. ]]

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	[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]		[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]

	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[~~A History of the Adirondacks\|~~A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street

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	Excerpted from the ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 10, 1990, "History is lost to fire, demolition and remodeling" by [[~~John J. Duquette\|~~John J. Duquette]]:		Excerpted from the ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 10, 1990, "History is lost to fire, demolition and remodeling" by [[John J. Duquette]]:

	Col. Milote Baker's hotel stood next to the [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] bridge (where the [[Murray Cottage 2\|stone residence]] now stands) and the store was in the triangle between Pine and [[Main Street]] adjacent to the railroad tracks, the space currently occupied by [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]]. The latter building was of historical value for two reasons. Colonel Baker was the first postmaster in Saranac Lake and established the post office in his store in 1854. Upstairs, over the store, Milote's brother, [[Hillel Baker\|Hillel]], had a shoe repair shop and in a side room he kept a book collection which served as the first lending library in the community. Although it was not a public library, ''per se'', Hillel was especially fond of children and he allowed them to come and read in the little room or take books home at no charge.		Col. Milote Baker's hotel stood next to the [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] bridge (where the [[Murray Cottage 2\|stone residence]] now stands) and the store was in the triangle between Pine and [[Main Street]] adjacent to the railroad tracks, the space currently occupied by [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]]. The latter building was of historical value for two reasons. Colonel Baker was the first postmaster in Saranac Lake and established the post office in his store in 1854. Upstairs, over the store, Milote's brother, [[Hillel Baker\|Hillel]], had a shoe repair shop and in a side room he kept a book collection which served as the first lending library in the community. Although it was not a public library, ''per se'', Hillel was especially fond of children and he allowed them to come and read in the little room or take books home at no charge.

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	[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]		[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]

	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks\|A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks\|A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]
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	'''Other information:'''		'''Other information:'''

	By 1854, early settler Colonel [[Milote Baker\|Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[Baker Bridge\|Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[8 Pine Street\|8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[Amelia Matilda Murray\|Amelia Matilda Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[[Saranac River]]".		By 1854, early settler Colonel [[Milote Baker\|Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[Baker Bridge\|Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[8 Pine Street\|8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[Amelia Matilda Murray\|Amelia Matilda Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[Saranac River]]".
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	[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan\|Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street\|Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage\|Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson\|William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan\|Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street\|Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage\|Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson\|William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]

	[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker\|Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling\|Mary Hotaling]]. ]]		[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker\|Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling\|Mary Hotaling]]. ]]

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	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]

			'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street

	'''Old Address:''' [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]		'''Old Address:''' [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]]

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	[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]		[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street\|Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]

	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[~~A History of the Adirondacks\|~~A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson\|A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]] '''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street

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	[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library] ]]		[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|500px\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library] ]]

	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]

	'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street
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	[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker~~'s Bridge~~]]; 4 - ~~railroad~~ trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[~~Mt. Baker\|~~Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|800px\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker]]; 4 -trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]

	[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[~~Stevenson Lane\|~~Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling]]. ]]		[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|800px\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling]]. ]]

	Unidentified newspaper clipping, January 29, 1923		Unidentified newspaper clipping, January 29, 1923
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	The hotel was built by Colonel Milote Baker, who came here from Keeseville in 1852. It was then located on the East side of what is now known as the [[Baker bridge\|Baker bridge]]. The building was used as the first post-office of the village and also the first public library.		The hotel was built by Colonel Milote Baker, who came here from Keeseville in 1852. It was then located on the East side of what is now known as the [[Baker bridge\|Baker bridge]]. The building was used as the first post-office of the village and also the first public library.

	[[~~Orlando Blood\|~~Orlando Blood]] became the owner of the property on the death of Colonel Baker. During his ownership the house was no longer used as a hotel, but was changed into an apartment house.		[[Orlando Blood]] became the owner of the property on the death of Colonel Baker. During his ownership the house was no longer used as a hotel, but was changed into an apartment house.

	Wallace Murray, the present owner, moved the building to Stevenson Lane and it was remodeled into a more up to date apartment house. Mr. Murray's residence, a large stone structure, now occupies the original site of the old hotel.		Wallace Murray, the present owner, moved the building to Stevenson Lane and it was remodeled into a more up to date apartment house. Mr. Murray's residence, a large stone structure, now occupies the original site of the old hotel.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 12 May 2026
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	[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[~~Pine Street\|~~Pine Street]] crosses the [[~~Baker's Bridge\|~~Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library]]]		[[File:Baker's.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, c. 1865. [[Pine Street]] crosses the [[Baker's Bridge]]. <br>Looking east from the north bank of the [[Saranac River]];<br>Main Street would be going right from the right side of the photograph.<br>[https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=510d47e1-a7f4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 New York Public Library] ]]

	[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[~~Stevenson Lane\|~~Stevenson Lane]] in [[~~A. L. Donaldson\|~~A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Hotel, from [[Stevenson Lane]] in [[A. L. Donaldson]]'s ''[[A History of the Adirondacks]]'' ]]

	[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]		[[File:Baker's Store.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Baker's Store. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 11, 1963 ]]
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	'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street		'''Address:''' 1332 Pine Street

	'''Old Address:''' [[~~Stevenson Lane\|~~Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[~~Pine Street\|~~Pine Street]]		'''Old Address:''' [[Stevenson Lane]], near later 8 [[Pine Street]]

	'''Year built:''' by 1854		'''Year built:''' by 1854
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	'''Other information:'''		'''Other information:'''

	By 1854, early settler Colonel [[~~Milote Baker\|~~Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[~~Baker Bridge\|~~Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[~~8 Pine Street\|~~8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[~~Triangle Park\|~~Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[~~Amelia Matilda Murray\|~~Amelia Matilda Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[Saranac River]]".		By 1854, early settler Colonel [[Milote Baker]] built a small hotel and store near [[Baker Bridge]] (at what would later be [[8 Pine Street]] and the site of the present [[Triangle Park]], respectively). Visitors included New York Governor [[Wikipedia:Horatio_Seymour\|Horatio Seymour]], United States Treasurer [[Wikipedia:Francis_E._Spinner\|Francis E. Spinner]] and "many other men of public and professional eminence." Lady [[Amelia Matilda Murray]], lady in waiting to [[Wikipedia:Queen_Victoria\|Queen Victoria]], who traveled through the Adirondacks in 1856, referred to it as the "last house of reception on the [[Saranac River]]".
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	[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[~~Pine Street\|~~Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[~~Olive Street\|~~Olive Street]]; 9 - [[~~Stevenson Cottage\|~~Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[~~William Henry Jackson\|~~William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]		[[File:Baker's Hotel from Mt. Baker.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Click to enlarge. 1 - This appears to be the site of Baker's Hotel; 2 - [[Saranac River]]; 3 - [[Baker's Bridge\|Baker's Bridge]]; 4 - railroad trestle (by 1909, the trestle would be replaced with fill); 5 - [[Bloomingdale Avenue]]; 6 - [[Pine Street]]; 7 - [[Branch and Callanan]]; 8 - [[Olive Street]]; 9 - [[Stevenson Cottage]]. Photograph from [[Mt. Baker\|Mt. Baker]] by [[William Henry Jackson]] c. 1903 ]]

	[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[~~Andrew J. Baker\|~~Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[~~Mary Hotaling\|~~Mary Hotaling]]. ]]		[[File:Map of Stevenson Lane.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|Part of a map of [[Stevenson Lane\|Stevenson Lane]] made in June 1912 for [[Andrew J. Baker]] showing the location of Baker's Hotel and store.<br>The full map shows Andrew Baker's property on the lane. Courtesy of [[Mary Hotaling]]. ]]

	Unidentified newspaper clipping, January 29, 1923		Unidentified newspaper clipping, January 29, 1923
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	While the old building was run as a hotel, it was the stopping place of many of the notables who visited the Adirondacks at the time. C. G. Gunther, mayor of New York, was one of the celebrities it sheltered. Alfred B. Smith, state librarian, was another. Governor Seymour and his party were other visitors. [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of the New York ''Sun'', whose brother's widow married Colonel Baker, was a frequent visitor.		While the old building was run as a hotel, it was the stopping place of many of the notables who visited the Adirondacks at the time. C. G. Gunther, mayor of New York, was one of the celebrities it sheltered. Alfred B. Smith, state librarian, was another. Governor Seymour and his party were other visitors. [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of the New York ''Sun'', whose brother's widow married Colonel Baker, was a frequent visitor.

	A short distance away from the burned building is the Memorial cottage of Robert Louis Stevenson, which houses priceless Stevenson souvenirs and is visited yearly by hundreds of visitors. Fortunately, it was not threatened by the flames. It is occupied by [[~~Andrew J. Baker\|~~Andrew J. Baker]], a son of Colonel Baker, who was a close friend of Stevenson during his stay in Saranac Lake.		A short distance away from the burned building is the Memorial cottage of Robert Louis Stevenson, which houses priceless Stevenson souvenirs and is visited yearly by hundreds of visitors. Fortunately, it was not threatened by the flames. It is occupied by [[Andrew J. Baker]], a son of Colonel Baker, who was a close friend of Stevenson during his stay in Saranac Lake.

	It was impossible to obtain any estimate of the damage done by the fire. There was, it is reported, no insurance on the building. In addition to the money loss the village has lost one of its oldest and most interesting landmarks.		It was impossible to obtain any estimate of the damage done by the fire. There was, it is reported, no insurance on the building. In addition to the money loss the village has lost one of its oldest and most interesting landmarks.
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	'''One of First Hotels Erected in the Adirondacks Destroyed Sunday Morning.'''		'''One of First Hotels Erected in the Adirondacks Destroyed Sunday Morning.'''

	The building known as the old Baker hotel in Saranac Lake, originally erected many years ago beside the river on the east side of [[~~Baker bridge\|~~Baker bridge]] where [[Wallace Murray]]'s residence now stands, but moved a few years ago to [[~~Stevenson Lane\|~~Stevenson Lane]] and converted into an apartment house, was practically destroyed by fire Sunday morning. Only the shell remains.		The building known as the old Baker hotel in Saranac Lake, originally erected many years ago beside the river on the east side of [[Baker bridge]] where [[Wallace Murray]]'s residence now stands, but moved a few years ago to [[Stevenson Lane]] and converted into an apartment house, was practically destroyed by fire Sunday morning. Only the shell remains.

	Col. Milote Baker, who settled at Saranac Lake in 1852, built the hotel, which was once the only hotel in that section of the Adirondacks. Governor Seymour and party were among the early visitors entertained at the hotel and many other notables frequented it. Col. Baker married the widow of the brother of [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of New York, and the latter, who was a close friend of the family often visited Baker's.		Col. Milote Baker, who settled at Saranac Lake in 1852, built the hotel, which was once the only hotel in that section of the Adirondacks. Governor Seymour and party were among the early visitors entertained at the hotel and many other notables frequented it. Col. Baker married the widow of the brother of [[Wikipedia:Charles_Anderson_Dana\|Charles A. Dana]], of New York, and the latter, who was a close friend of the family often visited Baker's.
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	'''Many Famous People Were Guests There, Including Those on Way to 'Philosopher's Camp' — Millionaires Slept on Its Floors.'''		'''Many Famous People Were Guests There, Including Those on Way to 'Philosopher's Camp' — Millionaires Slept on Its Floors.'''

	There is a new house being erected these days for [[Wallace Murray]] at the long-vacant lot where Main Street cuts across Pine Street into Stevenson Lane. And thereby hangs a tale; not of the new house but its site. For years this vacant site has been an object of military and historic interest to visitors. A grassy plot with an old foundation excavation in the middle and fenced in from the street by an old-fashioned fence half-hidden in wild rose-bushes, it was once the site of the old Baker Hotel which was moved bodily to where it now stands as a residence a little further up the lane. In July and August, when the wild roses are in full bloom the picturesque old fence has been photographed by many summer visitors to the Stevenson Memorial and by others interested in literary and historic landmarks. The old Baker Hotel was the first and earliest of Adirondack hotels in this region. It was built in the early fifties and in its time entertained all the distinguished guests who made early trips through the woods. In the early sixties one of the visitors was Lady [[~~Amelia Murray\|~~Amelia Murray]], a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria who escorted by [[Horatio Seymour\|Governor Seymour]] of New York was the first woman to "cross the woods", as the saying was in those days. Overcrowded often in the summer season millionaires many a time were glad to sleep on the old timber floors of Baker's [illegible] about the time of the Civil War the Philosophers of Ampersand Pond, Lowell, Emerson, Agassiz, Judge Hoar, Bayard Taylor and others stopped for dinner and sometimes, before they made Martin's on the Lower Lake their headquarters, styed overnight and discussed abstruse matters. Well, the old fence is gone but possibly the wild roses may remain around the walls of the new stone residence in which the Murray family proposes to live. No more will pilgrims to literary Saranac stand before the grass-grown gate and think of the days when Lowell said he would not take a step further into the woods if Emerson was going to be allowed to carry a gun. It took no powerful imagination to see again the absent smile on the face of the Sage of Concord where he sat by Baker's fire taking the chaff because he forgot to shoot a buck when the "most remarkable creation of grace" he had ever seen suddenly emerged on a deer drive and "turned its soulful limpid eyes" upon him.		There is a new house being erected these days for [[Wallace Murray]] at the long-vacant lot where Main Street cuts across Pine Street into Stevenson Lane. And thereby hangs a tale; not of the new house but its site. For years this vacant site has been an object of military and historic interest to visitors. A grassy plot with an old foundation excavation in the middle and fenced in from the street by an old-fashioned fence half-hidden in wild rose-bushes, it was once the site of the old Baker Hotel which was moved bodily to where it now stands as a residence a little further up the lane. In July and August, when the wild roses are in full bloom the picturesque old fence has been photographed by many summer visitors to the Stevenson Memorial and by others interested in literary and historic landmarks. The old Baker Hotel was the first and earliest of Adirondack hotels in this region. It was built in the early fifties and in its time entertained all the distinguished guests who made early trips through the woods. In the early sixties one of the visitors was Lady [[Amelia Murray]], a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria who escorted by [[Horatio Seymour\|Governor Seymour]] of New York was the first woman to "cross the woods", as the saying was in those days. Overcrowded often in the summer season millionaires many a time were glad to sleep on the old timber floors of Baker's [illegible] about the time of the Civil War the Philosophers of Ampersand Pond, Lowell, Emerson, Agassiz, Judge Hoar, Bayard Taylor and others stopped for dinner and sometimes, before they made Martin's on the Lower Lake their headquarters, styed overnight and discussed abstruse matters. Well, the old fence is gone but possibly the wild roses may remain around the walls of the new stone residence in which the Murray family proposes to live. No more will pilgrims to literary Saranac stand before the grass-grown gate and think of the days when Lowell said he would not take a step further into the woods if Emerson was going to be allowed to carry a gun. It took no powerful imagination to see again the absent smile on the face of the Sage of Concord where he sat by Baker's fire taking the chaff because he forgot to shoot a buck when the "most remarkable creation of grace" he had ever seen suddenly emerged on a deer drive and "turned its soulful limpid eyes" upon him.
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	Excerpted from the ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 10, 1990, "History is lost to fire, demolition and remodeling" by [[John J. Duquette]]:		Excerpted from the ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 10, 1990, "History is lost to fire, demolition and remodeling" by [[John J. Duquette]]:

	Col. Milote Baker's hotel stood next to the [[~~Pine Street\|~~Pine Street]] bridge (where the [[Murray Cottage 2\|stone residence]] now stands) and the store was in the triangle between Pine and [[Main Street]] adjacent to the railroad tracks, the space currently occupied by [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]]. The latter building was of historical value for two reasons. Colonel Baker was the first postmaster in Saranac Lake and established the post office in his store in 1854. Upstairs, over the store, Milote's brother, [[Hillel Baker\|Hillel]], had a shoe repair shop and in a side room he kept a book collection which served as the first lending library in the community. Although it was not a public library, ''per se'', Hillel was especially fond of children and he allowed them to come and read in the little room or take books home at no charge.		Col. Milote Baker's hotel stood next to the [[Pine Street]] bridge (where the [[Murray Cottage 2\|stone residence]] now stands) and the store was in the triangle between Pine and [[Main Street]] adjacent to the railroad tracks, the space currently occupied by [[Triangle Park\|Triangle Park]]. The latter building was of historical value for two reasons. Colonel Baker was the first postmaster in Saranac Lake and established the post office in his store in 1854. Upstairs, over the store, Milote's brother, [[Hillel Baker\|Hillel]], had a shoe repair shop and in a side room he kept a book collection which served as the first lending library in the community. Although it was not a public library, ''per se'', Hillel was especially fond of children and he allowed them to come and read in the little room or take books home at no charge.

	The original store building burned about 10 years after it became the post office but was immediately rebuilt.		The original store building burned about 10 years after it became the post office but was immediately rebuilt.
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	'''First Post Office And Library of Saranac Lake Being Razed'''		'''First Post Office And Library of Saranac Lake Being Razed'''

	By [[~~BILL McLAUGHLIN\|~~BILL McLAUGHLIN]]		By [[BILL McLAUGHLIN]]

	Saranac Lake is losing its first post office and circulating library, a little frame building at the junction of [[Main Street\|Main]] and [[~~Pine Street\|~~Pine Street]]s, where it sets in a triangle with the railroad running in back.		Saranac Lake is losing its first post office and circulating library, a little frame building at the junction of [[Main Street\|Main]] and [[Pine Street]]s, where it sets in a triangle with the railroad running in back.

	The small building is cobwebbed with history and early village importance when Col. [[~~Milote Baker\|~~Milote Baker]] who built "[[Baker's Hotel\|Baker's Hotel]]" which later became the [[Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage\|Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage]] enlarged on his property.		The small building is cobwebbed with history and early village importance when Col. [[Milote Baker]] who built "[[Baker's Hotel\|Baker's Hotel]]" which later became the [[Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage\|Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage]] enlarged on his property.

	The Colonel built "the store" in 1854 across the way from his hotel and became the first postmaster in Saranac Lake. The original structure was destroyed by fire in the 1860's but was immediately replaced by the building which is now partially dismantled by [[~~Harold Gilpin\|~~Harold Gilpin]] who owns the property. In 1862 [[William F. Martin\|William Martin]] secured the Post office and moved it to his hotel on [[Lower Saranac Lake]].		The Colonel built "the store" in 1854 across the way from his hotel and became the first postmaster in Saranac Lake. The original structure was destroyed by fire in the 1860's but was immediately replaced by the building which is now partially dismantled by [[Harold Gilpin]] who owns the property. In 1862 [[William F. Martin\|William Martin]] secured the Post office and moved it to his hotel on [[Lower Saranac Lake]].

	Over the store were two little rooms, one filled with books and magazines and the other used as a cobbler's shop. The cobbler was Hillel Baker, a brother of the colonel. Hillet was a mildly eccentric old bachelor but highly intelligent and college educated who was perfectly content to cobble away his life in peaceful obscurity in Saranac Lake.		Over the store were two little rooms, one filled with books and magazines and the other used as a cobbler's shop. The cobbler was Hillel Baker, a brother of the colonel. Hillet was a mildly eccentric old bachelor but highly intelligent and college educated who was perfectly content to cobble away his life in peaceful obscurity in Saranac Lake.