Debar Pond

Debar Pond, looking south-west from the north end of the pond.  Baldface Mountain at left.

Debar Pond

is a 1100-acre pond in the town of Duane, It was named after John Debar, a Canadian trapper who discovered it on a hunting trip in 1817.  The pond sits between Debar Mountain and Baldface Mountain.

It is the site of Debar Pond Lodge, a camp designed by William G. Distin and built about 1940. The main lodge is a two-story, Rustic style building of light-frame construction with an exterior veneer of half and full round logs.  In the 1880s, German-born brewer Robert Schroeder had established an extensive hop-growing operation on 300-acres near the pond and built a lavish 60-room mansion there; after his bankruptcy, the estate fell to ruin.

Debar Pond just left of center
1908 USGS Loon Lake quadrant

Debar Pond Lodge, looking south.

The Tekene Branch, built in 1896 by the [Lumber Company,] ran west from the New York Central line at Tekene Junction 4.4 miles and then north another 2.5 miles to the south end of Debar Pond.