Lake George, NY, in the southern Adirondack Mountains is a massive body of water with nearly 150 miles of attractive shorelines. It’s long been and still remains an incredibly popular destination for those looking for an upstate getaway. The natural beauty of the area and the numerous recreational activities have made it a magnet for those looking to “get away from it all” for over 100 years.
Today, Lake George attracts people from all walks of life, but from the 1870s through the early 20th century, it also attracted many of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. Smitten by Lake George, the well-to-do decided to build what they often termed “summer cottages” along the waterline.
These summer cottages were an escape for those who spent their lives in the cities. They provided a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery. Wealthy families could leave New York City behind, arriving by stage in the Lake George area, prepared to enjoy their cottages and the surrounding nature.
Summer cottages. The term inspires visions of quaint little homes with large windows and front porches behind picket fences providing a serene and peaceful view of the beautiful still waters, doesn’t it? The reality of these structures was actually quite different.
If there’s ever been a misnomer, calling the homes built by the wealthy on the west side of Lake George would be it. These “cottages” were nothing short of imposing mansions. Built of stone and brick, these giant homes reached sizes exceeding 20,000 square feet. They were ostentatious displays of tremendous wealth, featuring every convenience then imaginable.
The neighborhood that became known as Millionaires’ Row was a summer home to folks like Wall Street powerhouse Spencer Trask and Robert Pitcairn, who was then one of the richest men in the world. These estates were as impressive as you’d find anywhere, custom-designed by the best architects and surrounded in carefully-crafted gardens. They were summer playgrounds for the wealthiest of the wealthy, and no expense was spared in their construction, ornamentation and upkeep.
Although some of Millionaire’s Row survives today (primarily in the form of “cottages” that have been converted into hotels and resorts), most of the structures have been torn down. Millionaire’s Row was a victim of changing social forces, including the growth of air and automobile travel that allowed the very rich to explore new locations. The economic downturn that became the Great Depression had a tremendous impact on this community of “summer cottages”, too. By the early 1950s, most of “the Row” was a matter of memory.
Lake George has thrived since then. The area is well-regarded as a tremendous vacation spot and virtually every outdoor activity imaginable is available to travelers. People flock to the area to enjoy the lake, fishing, tubing, canoeing, hiking and more. The Southern Adirondacks offer everything from world-class accommodations to unforgettable fall foliage. Millionaire’s Row may be gone, but Lake George is still going strong.