I’ll do the math for you. That was 110 years ago. There was no copy in the booklet except for the opening page and then 30 pages of beautiful photos on glossy paper, some pages carried multiple photos.

After the opening paragraph describing the “technical” information: population, 6,000; elevation, 1,600 feet above sea level; mountain heights 2,000 to 5,000 and naming many of the mountains, there was this:

“Improved state and county highway systems place Saranac Lake on the main trunk highways for automobiling in the state. Saranac Lake has paved streets, cement sidewalks, electric lights, gas, sewers, mountain lake water (the water then came from McKenzie Pond) and every sanitary arrangement and precaution as becomes a high class resort. There are public schools; also private schools and ample facilities for private tutoring and for musical and other education. Churches — St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian. Hospitals. Two national banks.

One hundred business houses to supply every need.”

And then this great line about winter — “10-below — yes, maybe 20 or 30 below. There is a tang in the balsam air that stirs one’s blood and is an incentive to active sports.”

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Enterprise sesquicentennial

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I never knew the Enterprise published a special edition on Feb. 1, 1974 — Sesquicentennial is 150 years — I had to look it up. Well, actually it was written by the Saranac Lake High School students.

There is only one page, page 8, in my possession and the 72 point headline reads, “This Sesquicentennial tribute by the” … ? It must have run over to the next page.

Under the headline a sub-head reads: “Researched, compiled and edited under the direction of Mrs. Mary Manchester.” So it was obviously a student project.

Under the headline “Famous Visitors to Saranac Lake,” was also listed the students who contributed that information.

“SIDNEY POITIER who was the first of his race to be nominated as the best actor by the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts, came to Saranac Lake in the late 60s for the world premiere of his movie ‘For the Love of Ivy.’ Perhaps his most famous movie was ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.'” — Steve Finn

“AL JOLSON, the singer and comedian, is still remembered for his performances in Saranac Lake at the Pontiac Theatre. He played a benefit performance in 1927 and broke all theatrical records by entertaining on stage for three straight hours.” — Calvin Paige

“SAMMY DAVIS JR., actor, singer and dancer performed in the Pontiac Theatre as part of the Marston Trio.” — Lenore Williams

“MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST of the famous Camp Topridge employed my Great-Uncle Ed Russell as caretaker. Because of this, we went to the Post Cereal factory in Battle Creek, Michigan. Some of her art treasurers were on display there.” — Deborah Burman

“PAUL HARVEY, a well-known news commentator for ABC radio, was once the King of the Winter Carnival in Saranac Lake. He is still heard on local radio.” — Paul Harvey (How cool is that?)

“FAYE DUNAWAY, the famous movie actress who won her Oscar for her performance in Bonnie and Clyde once worked as a waitress at the Dew Drop Inn in Saranac Lake.” — Tracy Pelkey

“VERONICA LAKE, a Hollywood movie star, used to live next door to my father when she was a girl. She was his baby sitter.” — Pat Keough

“EDDIE CANTOR, the radio, television, stage and screen actor, named the ‘March of Dimes,’ which is the fundraising campaign against polio. He did a benefit performance at the Pontiac Theatre when he came to Saranac Lake.” — Joyce Plosila

“RAY BOLGER, who played the part of the scarecrow in the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ was also a dancer, character actor and comedian performed at the Pontiac Theatre.” — Robert Willett

“CALVIN COOLIDGE, the 30th President of the United States, had a summer residence near Paul Smiths from 1923 until 1929. GROVER CLEVELAND visited him there. President Coolidge was also a Senator from Massachusetts and a Lt. Governor and Governor of that state before becoming Vice-President and President of the United States.” — Joe Foley

Does this closing paragraph sound familiar?

“In these days of Watergate, energy crunch, gasoline shortage, fuel oil shortage and rising prices we must not lose hope. Those who lived here before us experienced more real hardships than we will ever know. They made it. So will we!”