19th century Glen Lake — banner fishing season

It was a banner season for fishing at Glen Lake, in Warren County, and a great year for pescatarians — those who eat only vegetables, fish and seafood.

“An old resident of this locality stated to a Star reporter yesterday that never within his recollection has fishing been any better, if quite as good, at Glen Lake as during the present season,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 13, 1890. “The manager of the Glen Lake House, where sixty-four summer guests are now being entertained, has so far been able to supply the tables with fish from the lake without trouble.”

In other 19th century Glen Lake news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• Pianist Constantin Wieghorst of the Stuggart Conservatory of Music and J. Adolf Johnson, first violinist of the Amphion Orchestra of Brooklyn, were vacation at the Glen Lake House, The Morning Star reported on Aug. 19, 1890.

“The guests are enjoying some rare exhibitions of musical talent. If the way opens, they talk of giving a concert at the Glens Falls Opera House before they return to the city.”

• The Glens Falls Baptist Church held a picnic at Glen Lake on Aug. 19, 1890.
• Nearly 100 people attended the Glens Falls Friends Church held a picnic at Glen Lake, The Morning Star reported on Aug. 27, 1890.

“Three large teams conveyed many of the party, and many went in private carriages. A bountiful dinner was served at noon. The day was very pleasantly spent in social enjoyments and boating on the lake.”

• “The Typographical Union made merry at Glen Lake on Labor Day. An immense supply of clams was disposed of, and the picnickers came home in the evening refreshed by their outing,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 3, 1890.
• The Glen Lake House hotel was set to close for the season Sept. 8 “after a very successful season,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 4, 1890.
• A lot of oats was at stake.

“A number of local lovers of trotting will assemble at Glen Lake next Thursday afternoon, if the weather be favorable, to witness a race for thirty bushels of oats between C.H. Sherman’s White Lead, George Bigurt’s Percy McGregor, and E.H. Doty’s White Wings,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 9, 1894.

White Lion won three of four heats and won the oats, with “a small but interest crowd of spectators” watching, The Morning Star reported on Jan. 12.

Click here to read the most recent previous Glen Lake history post.