Saranac Lake Cornet Band at the Ice Palace, probably 1903, photograph by Edward T. Start
Courtesy of the Adirondack ExperienceBorn: September 17, 1867, London, England

Died: February 4, 1952, in Camden, S. C.

Married: Mary J. Thompson Start (1866-1933)

Children: William E. Start

Edward T. Start was a professional photographer. He was born in London in 1867, but came to the U.S. at an early age. While operating a photography studio in Providence, R.I., he visited Saranac Lake in 1875, where he met C. Edmund Krumholtz, who managed the Wawbeek Hotel on Upper Saranac Lake, and who offered him a position as hotel photographer during the summer tourist season. The Enterprise reported that "he liked the town so well that he later returned and built a  house here. For many years he was associated with William Kollecker the photographer. . . . Mr. Start was member of the Masonic Lodge, the IOOF Lodge and the Methodist Church."

 By 1903, Krumbholz owned the Kirkwood Hotel in Camden, SC, and brought Start to photograph northern tourists and their activities there during the winter.

The Camden Chronicle reported the following in April 1932: "In 1931-32 Mr. Start won seven prizes in open competition with professional and amateur photographers--four firsts and three seconds. His photographs of Saranac Lake, by-ways scenes, and mountain views have been used in many of the leading newspapers which carry photographic sections." He also took photos of nationally known celebrities.

Start died in Camden and was buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake beside his wife who had died in 1933. He was survived by a son, William E., a grandson, Edward B., and a great-grandson, Richard W., all of Rochester, NY.

The South Carolina Library has 213 Start photographs which may be viewed on-line. The Camden Archives and Museum has 30 on-line and the Adirondack Museum has 37.

The Kershaw County Historical Society provided the column from which this information was taken to the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, S. C.. It was written by historian Harvey S. Teal. More information was taken from his obituary in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise of February 5, 1952, and from the obituary of T. Edmund Krumbholz in the Lake Placid News, Friday, June 8, 1923.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 5, 1952

EDWARD START FUNERAL HERE

Edward T. Start, for years a familiar figure in Saranac Lake, died yesterday in Camden Hospital, Camden, S. C, where he had been a patient about three weeks.

Mr. Start was born September 17, 1867 in England. Fifty-six years ago, a summer visitor in this village, he liked the town so well that he later returned and built a home here.

For many years he was associated with William Kollecker as photographer. He began working at the Hotel Rosa mount [sic: Ruisseaumont], Lake Placid, the summer of 1896, taking pictures for promotion, publicity and picture cards. When the owner of the Rosamount purchased Sagamore Hotel in Lake George, Mr. Start continued with his services, spending the summer at Lake George and winters in Camden, S. C. He retired in 1947.

Over the years he photographed many famous persons and some of the loveliest homes and gardens in the country. Among his collection was the home of J. R. Todd, builder of Radio City, whose estate is located near Camden. In the famous person category, Mr. Start photographed such persons as President Calvin Coolidge and John D. Rockefeller, who visited here.

Mr. Start was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the IOOF Lodge and the Methodist Church. For many years he was a member of the official board of the church.

His wife died in Saranac Lake in May 1933. Survivors include a son, William E., a grandson Edward B., and a great grandson, Richard W., all of Rochester.

His body will arrive here Thursday at the Currier Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p. m. in the Methodist Church. Rev. Norman M. Moss will officiate. Pall bearers will be members of the Whiteface Mountain Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.

Burial will be in the spring in the family plot, Pine Ridge Cemetery.

___

E.T. Start published a booklet titled "The Charm of South Carolina" c. 1920-1930. A label in the Camden Archives described Start as "official photographer for the Kirkwood Hotel during the winter and for the Hotel Sagamore in New York during the summer." He apparently worked at the Kirkwood Hotel from 1903 to 1944.

 

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