Camp Alpha was the first of several camps built on Upper Saranac Lake by Thomas Blagden, possibly as early as 1870.
Tupper Lake Free Press and Herald, October 6, 1938
THOS. BLAGDEN DIES MONDAY
Thomas Blagden, 85, pioneer Adirondack mountain camp operator and holder of considerable property in Washington, D. C , died Monday night at Camp Omega, his summer home at Saranac Lake.
Born in Washington Oct. 18, 1863, Blagden was educated in the public schools there. He came to the Adirondacks in 1870 and opened Camp Alpha, first of a series of lodges in the upper Saranac Lake area.
Survivors are five sons, Augustus S. Blagden of Ambler, Pa.; Thomas Jr., Benjamin D. a and Donald P., all of New York city, and Henry Harrison, of Upper Saranac.
