The North Mountain Historical Society

Meeting: August 2001

AUGUST 20, 2001

The History Buffs met at the Brass Pelican on Monday, August 20. Jim Vance chaired the meeting. The meeting opened with prayer led by Pastor Howard Leh.
Following this the group took turns introducing themselves and telling where they were from. There were 54 present. Jim announced there would be no meeting in September. The October meeting will be a trip to Ellis Island. He introduced Phil Malhoyt who is setting up the trip. He gave us a brief preview of what can be expected on this trip. Ruth explained that the money {amount to be announced later} would be due when definite reservations are made. A paper was passed around asking for names of those who are interested.

The program for the morning was a slide show and commentary by Bush and Barbara James on the Hotel Era (1880-1960) of Eagelsmere. At its height there were 5 large hotels in Eaglesmere: Forest inn, Eaglesmere Hotel, the Crestmont, the Raymond, the Lakeside. The Chautaqua, a meeting with a religious background started in Eaglesmere. It closed in 1965. The Raymond was the first large hotel in Eaglesmere. It was built in 1887 and burned in 1941. It was never rebuilt.

The Lakeside started as a private cottage owned by the Kirk family, Quakers from Pennsdale. John Kirk, the owner, came to Eaglesmere because his Doctor recommended the mountain air. As his asthmatic condition improved, he invited friends and family to join him. He added on to his cottage to accommodate them, and then finally came up with the beautiful and commercially successful Lakeside Hotel. Mr. James then told of his association as an employee of the Crestmont Hotel, perhaps the most elegant of the five. He had many stories to tell of "behind the scenes activities". He and Mrs. James were both employed at the Crestmont for a number of years and his stories were most interesting. Mr. and Mrs. James have written two books about Eaglesmere and the Crestmont Hotel. They also had an excellent collection of slides that they shared with us.

Our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. James for a most interesting presentation. There will be no meeting in September. Our October meeting will be the trip to
Ellis Island on October 15.