LG tourism — April-May 1888

Nature foretold the advent of another Lake George tourism season.

“The ice on the lake has gotten to be very treacherous to venture on now,” The Morning Star reported on April 21, 1888. “The indications now are that it will leave the lake before the first of May.”

Yet, none seemed to be in a hurry to get ready for the arrival of seasonal visitors.

“Dr. H.F. Stevens of Lake George was in town yesterday. The doctor says the ice in the lake is not thoroughly honeycombed, and its disappearance is looked for any day now,” The Morning Star reported on April 26. “Very little preparation has yet been made for the summer season among cottagers and hotel men.”

Meanwhile, at Whitehall, the first tow boat of the season was expected to begin transports on Lake Champlain on April 28.

Ed Wetmore and his family returned to Lake George from their winter home at Glens Falls to get The Grove House hotel ready to open for the season, The Morning Star reported on May 1,

“They will proceed at once to place this popular hostelry in shape for the reception of summer guests.”

T.E. Roesdale arrived May 3 to get The Fort William Henry Hotel ready to open for the season.

The hotel was set to open for the week of June 3, with A.L. Barney, formerly of The Rockwell House at Glens Falls, as night clerk.

The steamer Caprice made its first run of the season, The Morning Star reported on May 5.

“She steamed from Bolton to Ticonderoga and brought the Danelia back in tow. M.S. Finkle will have charge of the Danelia this season.”

M.O. Brown and family left Glens Falls on May 15 to operate The Sagamore hotel at Bolton Landing for the season.

“Mrs. A. N. Locke has leased and will occupy their house on Pearl Street this summer,” The Morning Star reported.

The Lake House hotel was set to open June 11.

The steamer Horicon began delivering mail to East Lake George and other points on the southern end of the lake on June 2, and made its first run of the season from Caldwell to Ticonderoga on June 4.