Honor Round Lake Anniversary

Assembly Resolution No. 1266 BY: M. of A. Woerner COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Round Lake, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize events of significance which exemplify the history and development of the State of New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the borders of our great Empire State proudly resonates with its rich and noble history; and WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric and progression of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the150th Anniversary of the Village of Round Lake, New York; and WHEREAS, The Village of Round Lake is profoundly tied to its rich cultural past; in 1867, Joseph Hillman, a real estate and insurance broker from Troy, and a small group of interested laymen and ministers of the Methodist Church visited the western shores of Round Lake; and WHEREAS, Impressed by the pine woods, the nearby farms, the availability of pure spring water, and the convenient train service, these men brought a larger group to survey the proposed camp meeting grounds and 40 acres were purchased that year; and WHEREAS, On May 5, 1868, the Round Lake Camp Meeting Association of the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated; shortly thereafter, a station, speakers' stand and a bookstore were built; and WHEREAS, The first camp meeting was held on September 1, 1868, and lasted for 10 days, drawing 2,000 to 8,000 people per day; by 1869, camp meetings drew tremendous crowds of 20,000 people at Sunday services; and WHEREAS, Seeking to escape some of the rough and tumble of camp life, in 1869, summer residents erected the first cottages; and WHEREAS, During the 1880s, the name of the Round Lake Camp Meeting Association was changed to the Round Lake Association, and education became the partner of religion in the summer programs; and WHEREAS, In 1896, the Woman's Round Lake Improvement Society dedicated itself to the development of the library which opened in 1897; the library is the second oldest in Saratoga County and the first to have its own building; as a result of such developments, the area became a cultural mecca; and WHEREAS, Accompanying this cultural expansion was a building boom, including the Arcade, a tiny forerunner of today's shopping mall; the Auditorium, dedicated in July 1885 and enlarged to accommodate the 1847 Ferris Organ in 1888; the Griffin Institute, later called the Round Lake Academy; and the George West Museum of Art and Archaeology, the third largest museum in the State; and WHEREAS, During the 1870s a mineral spring was on what is now the lawn of the Methodist Church; a pavilion was built and the spring water was bottled and sold to individuals, hotels and train passengers; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, All Saints Episcopal Church was built in 1892, and the Methodist Church in 1894, both of which are still in use today; and WHEREAS, During this time, recreationally, one could visit the Casino, go fishing, swimming, boating, or take a ride on the steam yacht, The Ordelia; additionally, residential needs were satisfied for year-round residents and summer visitors alike in new large homes and cottages, and in various hotels and boarding houses; and WHEREAS, Between 1930 and 1970, and in consequence of the deterioration of the general economic health of the area and of its value as a recreational gathering spot, many of the fine old buildings were lost to neglect and razed or destroyed by fire; and WHEREAS, Today, a few examples of the large, spectacular buildings remain: among them, the Auditorium, The Pines (formerly the Burnam House) and the Cluett Mansion, a large, private residence; also remaining are a remarkable stock of residences, large homes and small cottages alike, which retain their Victorian detail and flair; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history and enduring contribution of the Village of Round Lake to the heritage of the State of New York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in commemorating its 150th Anniversary so that present and future generations may come to appreciate the unique significance which its history plays in the progression of our State and Nation's evolution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Round Lake, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Village of Round Lake, New York.