LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk | Environment An Adirondack Light Bulb Moment By Michael Green My earliest memories are of my mother and grandmother teaching me about my family history in the Adirondacks. They told me stories about my great-grandfather, J.B. Todd, who was a Scottish immigrant and logger in this forest. He was one of the many immigrants who moved to New York with the promise of land, prosperity, and adventure. decade. The mountains offered a retreat to the wilderness for the many city dwellers of New York City and Boston. Mr. Durant created a state-of-the-art retreat for his guests, The Prospect Point Lodge. It served some of the most famous people of its time, and the management wanted to guarantee a unique experience. One of Durant's earliest patrons was Thomas Edison, who convinced him of the opportunities that his light bulb could have for his lodge. What awaited him in upstate New York was a vast forest, hundreds of miles of waterways, and a new life. The earliest settlers in the Adirondack Mountains had to learn what it would take to call this unforgiving land home. At the time, the most prosperous profession in the Blue Line was logging, so logging camps cultivated the earliest communities in the area. Mostly made up of men, the logging camps offered adventure and opportunity in what was known as the "great wilderness" of New York. The logging camps gave birth to many of our first towns. The earliest shops were those that provided a service to the camps: blacksmiths, small farms, and eventually general stores. As more inhabitants moved up to the North Woods, they recognized the natural beauty of the area and of the importance of preserving the forests as a resource for future generations. Adirondack logging camps began to close as the state purchased land from various stakeholders, forming the Adirondack Forest Preserve. When the creation of the Forest Preserve was announced in 1894, many inhabitants spoke out against its creation. They believed that the economic benefit of logging the woods outweighed the benefits of a "forever wild" forest. At the same time, conservationists began to understand soil science and the benefits that the forest could provide for the region. Those in favor of the forest preserve argued that deforestation would end up destroying the economic system of New York, the St Lawrence, Mohawk, and Hudson Rivers. Although wood was one of the main exports at the time, early conservationists believed that preserving the forest would guarantee its benefit for future generations. The change in economic drivers in the Adirondacks forced a slow evolution of the early communities from being dependent on the logging camps to diversifying their economies. One of the earliest proven attractions to the economic viability of the region was to bring travelers north to enjoy the beautiful seasons of the Adirondack Mountains. To some business owners this was nothing new. One of them, Fredric Durant, the builder of the fashionable Prospect Point lodge in 1881, had been benefiting from the Adirondacks as an outdoor tourism destination for over a 56 LOCALadk Magazine Fall into Winter 2013 At the time the Prospect Point lodge was being built, the light bulb was revolutionizing society, but it was not in wide use throughout the park. The electric light bulb presented endless opportunities for businesses. It allowed Mr. Durant to guarantee to his guests efficient and safe lighting, and it created a sense of modernity in a place that was known for its simple and modest accommodations. Mr. Durant saw a way that he could improve his business, make it more attractive as a destination, and also create a unique experience for his patrons. He knew that Thomas Edison's light bulb would make his business stand out and head down a path that others would eventually follow. He saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. There is much that we can learn from looking back at the history of our communities and to those who made decisions that led us to where we are today. It is especially important to learn from the past when we are faced with decisions for the future. As new generations face the challenges of their time, the leaders of the past can offer guidance and confidence in meeting those challenges. Climate Change is our generation's challenge. This September the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest report. This international body of scientists agreed with the "utmost certainty" that global

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