Hotel boom in Adirondacks in 1919

Automotive tourism brought a boom to hotel business in the Adirondacks in 1919.

“From one end of the great Adirondack playground to the other the hotel men have the same take. They are elated at the wonderful business the automobiles are bringing them and their expectations for the future are most bright,” The Post-Star of Glens Falls, N.Y. reported on July 21, 1919.

The Algonquin at Bolton Landing had 35 guests, and the Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George was full every night.

Prosperity from the boom solaced the spirit of former state Sen. James A. Emerson of Warrensburg, who lost his re-election bid the previous November to fellow Republican Mortimer Ferris of Ticonderoga.

James Emerson and his brother L.W. Emerson, a former congressman, owned and operated the Leland House hotel in Schroon Lake.

“We have got so much business to look after that I’m glad I am not in politics,” James Emerson said.

The former senator still had ample opportunity to talk politics.

Among the early summer Leland House guests were state Assemblyman Frank Hooper, a Republican from North River, Joseph Murray, the Democratic Party leader in Troy, Connecticut state Democratic Chairman Alfred Phillips, and Canadian Parliament member A. Berkalitz.

B. Reppana, “a big Texas oil producer, also was a guest.