Ornament

In 1874, the last manned light station was established at “Bluff Point” on the western shore of Valcour Island, overlooking the site of the first naval engagement between the Americans and the British at the beginning of the Revolution of 1776. Mansard-roofed, the structure was the third Second Empire house with an integrated octagonal tower completed in three years. A fifth order Fresnel lens in the 35-foot tower resulted in a 95-foot focal plane with the light visible for 18 miles. It guided ships through the channel between the island and the shoals along the shore just south of Clinton Community College. In 1986, the Clinton County Historical Association was granted a conservation easement to preserve the lighthouse. It is the only Lake Champlain Lighthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the only one publicly owned and still used as a functioning aid to navigation. The red-roofed lighthouse, facing the Peru boat launch, may be easily viewed from Route 9 south of Plattsburgh, NY. The current optic is a 300 Fresnel type lens. The lighthouse is open to the public. (Description by George Clifford, ornament designed using a photo by Susan Clenney.)

Built in 1886 by David Van Schaick and the Delaware &Hudson Canal Company and renovated in 1983 by Penny and John Clute, Plattsburgh’s D&H Depot still stands out as a Plattsburgh landmark. Its Richardsonian Romanesque style designed by Albert W. Fuller reflected Plattsburgh’s position as the gateway to the Adirondacks and as the economic and social hub in Northern New York. The original building cost $22,000 and was the eastern terminus of the Ausable Branch of the D&H. At the opening ceremonies it was described as a new and beautiful edifice tastefully and comfortably lighted throughout with electricity. A complete description of the original station can be found in the May 7th 1886 edition of the Plattsburgh Sentinel.

From 1957 to 1963, Fantasy Kingdom was a family theme park on Lake Champlain that for a short time was a popular attraction for local residents and tourists alike. With unique, bespoke architecture based on children’s fairy tales--including the Giant’s Castle, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater’s House, the homes of the Three Little Pigs, Santa Claus’ house and a candy house—the park played host to a variety of entertainments. Fantasy Kingdom, on St. Armand Beach at what is now Point Au Roche State Park, featured musical acts and plays, a petting zoo, a train ride and the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship on the lake. Created, designed and constructed by Norman Dame, Sr., Fantasy Kingdom was co-owned by Dame and Robert Duley, on whose land the park was built. The park was wildly popular for a time, but growing expenses and middling attendance led to the closure of the park six years after it opened. Still, the memories that remain for the thousands of children from the North Country and neighboring Canada continue to warm the hearts of those lucky enough to have idled away the hours at Fantasy Kingdom. (Ornament designed from postcards courtesy of Don Duley and Mary Simmers)

In 1880-1881 Father Jeremiah Murphy knew that the chapel in use at that time was inadequate for the large congregation. He traveled to Europe and returned with a vision of his new church. Native materials and local stone were used. Stone Mason Issac Johnson, former slave, laid the stones and labor was provided by Father Murphy and the townspeople. Windows, statues, small altar and stations of the cross were donated by parishioners. Murals were painted by Angelo Metallo, an Italian ecclesiastical artist. Statue of St. Isadore, Patron Saint of Farmers was donated by the Gagnier family. Originally named St. Philomena’s was renamed in 1961.Consecrated on 20 August 1905. First Mass 25 December 1891. Closed in 2010. (Town of Clinton History 2010 & other sources)

The 6-story Spanish Revival-style concrete building was constructed in 1922-1923 over the Great Chazy River 5,000 feet downstream from the Miner dam. It features stucco walls and a red-clay roof with bridges on either side and an adjacent transformer building. At the river level there is the tail race which allows excess waters of the river to flow through the building without causing damage. The main floor houses two 500-hp turbines and one 1,000-hp turbine along with two 300 kw generators and a 600 kw generator. Apartments on the upper three levels housed workers and their families. A 124-foot surge tower controlled the hydraulic head providing a steady flow of water while protecting equipment from water surges. The McGregor Hydroelectric System, along with the LaSell system, brought a combined 46,000 volts to Heart’s Delight Farm and Chazy Rural School. In 1961 the Miner Foundation deeded the powerhouse to the Town of Altona. (Ornament designed from photo courtesy of the Miner Research Institute and history courtesy of Amy Bedard.)

The Old Stone Barracks is the second oldest structure in the former Plattsburgh Barracks. Built between 1838 and 1841, it marked the post’s establishment as a permanent military reservation. The building had 18 rooms. Four out of the 18 rooms on the east side of the first level were used as a hospital. The building was recently saved by the Friends of The Old Stone Barracks and opened in 2015 as the Valcour Brewing Company.

Loyal Smith, Plattsburgh's first major philanthropist, died in 1903 and willed $200,000 for construction of Plattsburgh's City Hall. A location on River Street, now City Hall Place, was chosen for its close proximity to the Saranac River and Plattsburgh Bay. John Russell Pope, was selected to design the building. His later commissions included the National Archives and the Jefferson Memorial. Built by A.E. Stephens Co., of Springfield MA, with mostly local labor, it has an Indiana limestone exterior complete with six massive marble columns, liberal use of Vermont marble, a copper dome, and an early prestressed concrete floor - all are features that project the confidence and stability that Pope intended. In 1973 City Hall became listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Dedicated on October 24, 1933, in Plattsburgh, NY. The Chapel is located on the north end of the Old Base Museum Campus Oval, a site of the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814. In memory of those stationed in Plattsburgh who gave their lives in World War I, the project was sponsored by the churchwoman's league of New York City, and the principal fundraiser was Adria Maude Langdon, its president for patriotic services from 1945-1947. The Chapel is constructed of weathered bricks taken from a historical structure near Plattsburgh, and the original wrought iron chandeliers were hand forged by the, then, army blacksmith. The pews and original organ were donated by the 26th infantry, and the outside chapel bell, installed in 1936, came from the battleship USS O'Brien. (www.plattsburghmemorialchapel.com)

The building was constructed beginning 1930-1 to supply water for Clinton Prison and the State Hospital. It was designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings of the lake and mountains. Water lines were dug from Dannemora, over the mountain, along the road to the Pump House. The work was welcomed by the locals as a means of employment during the Great Depression. It also served as a museum housing the collection of Wilfred King. In 1934, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, and Eleanor Roosevelt all signed the guest book. It is the site of the “unofficial” Chazy Lake Beach. Today the Town of Dannemora is working on establishing a "Town of Dannemora Veterans Memorial Park” to fulfill the wish of Frank and Helen Spencer who donated the property adjacent to the Pump House for that specific purpose in 1946. (Ornament designed from photo courtesy of Sally Urban, history courtesy Larry & Colleen Seney and Julie Dowd)

The Witherill House, built by Chazy’s Hiram D. Witherill, had its official opening in February 1868 (with 18 rooms and 1 tin bath tub) and closed with a grand auction sale in October 1968 - a 150 year span. From 1884-1968, the Witherill Hotel was owned and operated by three generations of the Howell family: Major William Theophilus Howell (1843-1894); William Hull Howell, Sr. (1874-1958); William Hull Howell, Jr. (1911-1992). Enlarged over the years to 100 rooms, the Witherill hosted many prominent guests including presidents, governors, and senators. Its Fife & Drum restaurant and bar was the north country’s most popular venue. “Welcome to the Witherill” (pub. 2015) by Susan Howell Hamlin (the daughter of William, Jr.) grew up at the Witherill with her sister, Bonnie. For more information on the Witherill, the book is available for purchase at the Clinton County Historical Association.