LUZERNE is situated at the junction of the Hudson and Sacandaga rivers, twenty-two miles north of Saratoga. It is inclosed by picturesque, rounded hills, heavily wooded to their summits, save here and there a break where some ledge looks out on the valley below. On the west are the Kayaderosseras mountains, on the east the Palmerton range, that has its rise at Lake George, and falls away into the level of Broadway at Saratoga; toward the north they are broken, rocky and picturesque. These are the outreaching spurs of the Adirondack that rest so grandly away to the north, from which the Hudson comes flowing quietly along until it gathers among the great round boulders, then bounds, foaming and sparkling, over the rocks in the exquisite little falls of Luzerne, and hastens forward under the bridge and downward to its union with the Sacandaga' at Ti-se-ran-do, " the meeting of the waters." From this down the river to Jessup's Landing is six miles of still water, then sweeps around almost north again.
At Palmer's Falls it is gathered in a narrow channel, then with a multitude of little leaps and breaks, churned and beaten into foam by its fall, it rests at the bottom sixty feet
below.
LUZERNE LAKE is a pearl set in emerald, lying at quite an elevation above the village proper; a crystal drop on the hill side, kept there by a narrow embankment through which the outlet finds its way, and after amusing itself among sets of water-wheels, it passes out into the Hudson and to the sea. One little island graces the centre of the lake, and gaily painted boats float on its waters. Its shores are broken in alternate strips of wood and meadow, rising up sharp and bold on the east; a pretty opening and a wooded bluff on the south ; a stretch of alder-covered intervale to the north, beyond which we see the round crest of old Potash Kettle. On the west is gently sloping shores, rolling meadow lands, pleasant private cottages and the Wayside Hotel.
THE WAYSIDE is an imposing structure, built in the modern Swiss style of architecture, with numerous gables, porches, stairs, extended piazzas, and cozy balconies. The interior corresponds with its exterior ; roomy, rambling, airy, original summery in its look, with delightfully pleasant parlors, dining room and office, and a lovely outlook from the piazzas, and the various balconies above, over the waters of the little late and the gently rolling meadows and woodland around. The cottages, 10 in number, of varying sizes and attractive designs, contain from 5 to 10 rooms each, and can be hired for the season, furnished. The Wayside provides altogether accommodations for about 200. Telegraph office in the house. H. J. Rockwell, manager. Mr. Rockwell belongs to a famous family of landlords, and needs no introduction. Formerly of Rockwell's Hotel, near
by ; of the Rockwell House, Glens Falls ; the Lake House and Fort William Henry, at Lake George, and now proprietor of Hotel Kenmore, Albany, he has made and retains a host of friends, and shown himself to be the peer of any hotel man in the country.
ROCKWELL'S HOTEL fronts on the main street of the village, its grounds extending back to the Hudson and overlooking the falls and chasm just above the junction of the two rivers. The main building is three stories in height, and contains the office parlors, etc. From this extends a long wing with side piazza.- facing the river. On the grounds are a pretty cottage and a larger building with pleasant, richly furnished rooms en suite for those who may prefer them to the more public places in the main building. Accommodations are here offered to 150 guests. G. H. Rockwell, owner and proprietor. Board, $2.50 per day; $10.50 to $14 per week; children and servants, $7 to $10.50 per week. This hotel has long been noted for providing one of the best of tables, and for its general excellence throughout, and has earned for its proprietors a reputation that has made the name of Rockwell, like that of Leland, a synonym of all that is complete in this direction.
THE RIVER VIEW will provide for about 80 guests. John Moller, proprietor. Rates, $2.50 per day. LUZERNE is on the old Indian trail from the great villages of the Mohawks to the head of Lake George. Here King Hendrick and his braves encamped when on their way to join Johnson, at the lake, in 1775. Was also the route taken by Sir John Johnson when he came from Canada for his buried treasures at Johnson Hall.
Click here to bookmark this site
