New York State gave some permits for permanent camps on state land in 1893. These were later revoked and the camps that had been built were torn down.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise Weekender, May 25, 1991
Adirondack commissions, then and now, by John Duquette
In 1893 . . . Governor Roswell P. Flower signed a bill. . . . Another privilege assigned to the commission was the granting of camp leases in the forest Preserve and this, too, was a thorn in the sides of the preservationists. Under Adirondack Park, Article VIII, Section 121, the commissioners were authorized 'to lease from time to time for a term not longer than five years, land within the Forest Preserve, not more than five acres in one parcel to any person, for the erection of camps or cottages for the use and accommodation of campers.' Of interest locally three of such leases were established on Lower Saranac Lake.
. . . By 1894 this law was rescinded and all buildings on state land were removed. [But evidence will show that it took not one but ten years for this to be accomplished.]
Annual Report of the Forest Commission, January 16, 1894
Camping Privileges
. . . The erection of any building, or temporary structure, or shanty, will not be permitted. Canvas tents will be allowed, in which board floors may be laid down. . . .
Where parties wish the permanent right to a camp-site, or want to erect a building or cottage, the law authorizes the Forest Commission to issue a lease, not to exceed five acres in size. The law provides that the Commission shall have the power:
"To lease from time to time for a term not longer than five years land within the Forest Preserve, not more than five acres in one parcel to any person, for the erection of camps or cottages for the use and accommodation of campers. Such leases shall contain strict conditions as to the cutting and protection of timber and the prevention of fires, a reservation for travelers of the right of passage over the land leased at all proper and reasonable times, and a covenant on the part of the lessee to observe all ordinances or regulations of the Forest Commission thereto, for, or thereafter to be prescribed; and no exclusive privilege of fishing or hunting shall be granted to any person. All revenues received from such lease shall be paid into the State treasury and shall be placed to the credit of the special fund established for the purchase of lands within the Adirondack Park."
These leases are laid out with twenty rods of water front and extending back forty rods from the lake, or as nearly so as the shape of the land or island will permit. Acting under the law the following leases have been made.
Mrs. Ann H. Manierre, Hocum Bay, Lower Saranac Lake
Edward and Benj. Manierre, Hocum Bay, Lower Saranac Lake
William P. Mason, Eagle Island, Saranac Lake
Albert C. Spann, Muskrat Point, Saranac Lake
Dr. Arpad C. Gerster, Big Island, Raquette Lake
Cornelia T. Kirby, Golden Beach, Raquette Lake
Dr. Delavan Bloodgood, Hen and Chickens Island, Lake George
Jerome Lapham, Phantom Island, Lake George
Len-a-wee Club, Len-a-wee Island, Lake George
Agnes Ranger, Ranger Island Lake George
William A. Wait, Sweetbrier Island, Lake George
C. E. and F. H. Bullard, Juanita Island, Lake George (Camp site only; not the entire island.)
Albert L. Judson, Pleasant Island, Lake George
William D. Mann, Waltonian Island, Lake George
L. H. Fillmore, Uncas Island, Lake George (Camp site only; not the entire island.)
Mrs. Cecil Gabbett, Temple Noe Island, Lake George
Oberon Lapham, Big Burnt Island, Lake George (Camp site only; no the entire island.)
The Glen Club, Glen island, Lake George
Thomas P. Wicks, Chapel Pond, Keene Valley
These leases vary in price from $200 to $30 per year, for the five acres or less occupied, aggregating $1,425 per year, an amount which will be materially increased. . . .
In view of the immense number of desirable camp-sites open to the public, free of charge, none of which are ever occupied, it will readily be seen that the few leases that have been made, or may yet be made, will not abridge in the least the rights and privileges of the people. At the same time, these leases furnish a permanent revenue which will aid the Department in offsetting the cost of its maintenance.
Clipping from an unidentified newspaper [Adirondack News?], July 21, 1900
Adirondack News and Notes, by Seaver Miller
Writing about camps being built on Lower Saranac Lake, Miller mentions "the Manierre camp in Shingle Bay," not to be confused with Knollwood, under construction at the same time.
Malone Farmer, November 26, 1902
The state forest, fish and game commission has issued an order directing that all camps on state lands, where permanent structures have been erected, shall be destroyed.
Malone Farmer, March 9, 1904
The [court] calendar is a long one. . . . Some of the important cases noticed for trial are: . . . five cases of the State against alleged squatters having permanent camps on Adirondack State lands.
Malone Farmer, June 8, 1904
The forest, fish and game commission has issued orders relating to camps in the Adirondacks. Under the orders persons cannot camp in the same place two seasons. This means that permanent camp cannot be put up on State land, and it will cause some inconvenience to persons accustomed to erect small cottages for summer occupancy. The camp of Mrs. James G. Howes on Lower Saranac Lake was torn down by Game Protector Vosburgh Wednesday. It had been occupied by Elzi McMannis, whose goods were first removed. The order is intended to serve the public at large and is misunderstood. If the system prevailed of allowing permanent camps all the best and available places would be pre-empted, while under the present ruling everybody has an equal chance. We believe the forest commission have adopted the wisest course.
Plattsburgh Republican, June 11, 1904
. . . three more summer residences built on State lands were destroyed this week by order of the Forest Commission, including the beautiful summer home of Edward Manierre, a Chicago broker, and Miss Myrtle Ayers' camp at Saranac Lake which was valued at $1,000. This wholesale and wanton destruction of camps built on State lands, with the consent of the State, will undoubtedly be a severe blow to the Adirondacks.
Geneva Advertiser-Gazette, June 21, 1904
The destruction of camps in the Adirondack Mountains continues in the name of the State by the Forest Commission. Muarus Camp, erected at a cost of $3,000, has been pulled down, and the furniture and camping utensils thrown out into the woods. The beautiful summer home of Edward Manierre, a Chicago broker, which was erected at a great cost, has also been demolished. It is said that if the camps on the State lands are destroyed it will be a severe blow for that part of the country, and will drive away thousands of people who spend the summer there.
Malone Farmer, September 14, 1904
. . . The People vs. Gilbert Turner, Thomas Peacock and W. F. Roberts were all cases in ejectment for the removal of permanent camps from state land. the two former have agreed to remove the camps by November 15th and the latter has already torn his down and vacated. W. H. Johnson has also torn down his camp and the case against him has been settled.
