Keeseville, Ausable Chasm & Lake Champlain Adirondack Mountain Gateway

Description

Lake Champlain Transportation Company steamships began sailing to Port Kent, New York in October of 1826. Visionaries were always brainstorming better ways to link Vermont's largest city and commercial hub with the rest of the world. Port Kent seemed a natural gateway to the Adirondack Mountains.
Seneca Ray Stoddard published annual tourist guides beginning in the 1870s. The photographer, publisher, promoter, poet, cartographer and marketing genius popularized the eastern Adirondacks, enticing business and big city tourists. Thanks to his efforts, the budding recreational paradise of Ausable Chasm emerged from a landscape of local industry that had been quietly going about its business for decades.
Although Port Kent, Keeseville, and the "Grand Canyon of the East" were a mere speck on the American rail map, one of the nation's shortest standard-gauge routes proved far bigger than its scant 5.6 miles would suggest. The "Peanut Railroad" featured an impressive 244.9-foot long cantilever bridge, towering 158 feet above the chasm. Daniel Loomis, Champlain Transportation Company's energetic young manager. saw great potential in tag-teaming his steamships with a railroad to the chasm. This sentimental journey transports you from those first steamships to the coming of the railroad, impressive hotels, and industry. See the emergence of family-owned motels, amusement parks, and the completion of a super-highway that changed everything. This documentary was crafted by filmmaker James R. "Jim" Jones, with assistance from Anderson Falls Heritage Society and an impressive roster of local historians.
KEESEVILLE, AUSABLE CHASM & LAKE CHAMPLAIN: ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN GATEWAY
is the perfect gift for anyone interested in Adirondack Mountain, Lake Champlain, and Burlington, Vermont history. This program, with convenient chapters and DVD authoring, runs a generous 101 minutes. Sales support further local history research. (TT-060) Look for the companion  BOOK also on this selling site!   FREE SHIPPING!
CONTINTENTAL U.S. BUYERS ONLY!