Turtle Pond - Historic Saranac Lake

Turtle Pond is a six acre pond half a mile southeast of Saranac Lake on New York Route 86. It has a rich history. The first house was built in 1912 by Mr. and Mrs. Vital R. Mollineaux at the top of the hill. According to a current resident of the road, Sonja Henie skated on Turtle Pond.

Mollineaux Cottage--Turtle Pond Poultry Farm--1915The property consisted of approximately 50 acres (the entire Turtle Pond area as we know it today) and was a working poultry farm until September 30, 1925 when all of the land was sold to George B. Carman. He proposed to develop an exclusive residential neighborhood and published an advertising brochure which is reproduced below:

Opening up a picturesque and hitherto comparatively unknown strip of territory within the Village of Saranac Lake, Turtle Pond Park is designed to be a unique residential community of the highest type. Bounded on the west by the Saranac River, the Park also contains two bodies of water—Turtle Pond and Cranberry Pond. It adjoins the State Forest along its entire southern border and its entrance is on the east from the Lake Placid road. As the land within the Park is well elevated and there are no mountains in the immediate proximity, an extensive view of the surrounding country and a maximum amount of sunlight is obtainable. Within five minutes of the business section by automobile, and with immediate access to the main artery of travel in the mountains, the Park is nevertheless pleasantly secluded and free from general disturbances. In the State Forest along the edge of the Park are a number of old roads and trails which are ideal for use as walking or bridal paths. This region will be permanently maintained as forestland by the State, so property holders in the Park are assured that the natural character of the view afforded them from most of the building sites will never be changed. Because of the access of the Park to the Saranac River, those who enjoy boating have at their disposal the finest navigable waterways in the Adirondacks. The river itself is seven miles long but by means of locks, easily operated, boats may make their way into both the Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes, a trip up and back of approximately 20 miles in length.Detail from the 1955 USGS map of Saranac Lake.

Concrete roads will be constructed on most of the streets in the Park and sewer and water connections made. In order not to mar the appearance of the streets, poles carrying telephone and electric light wires will be placed along the rear property lines so far as possible. Sidewalks wherever required, will be of broken Malone stone set in cement. Another feature will be the coloring of the roofs of all buildings. Provision is also being made for a community garage to be heated during cold weather. As this is simply for the convenience of residents who do not desire a garage on their own premises, it will be built in units according to the demand. As soon as the number of people living in the Park make it worthwhile, certain service features such as the washing and greasing of cars and the sale of gasoline and oil will be instituted in connection with the garage. A general repair business however, will not be permitted. Most of the building sites are of moderate size. None however, have less than 100 feet of street frontage. In view of the modern tendency toward small places, and with the protection of adequate restrictions, it is felt that the sites as laid out will be generally satisfactory. There will be no restriction as to the size or cost of permanent structures providing the exterior plans are approved as being in good taste and harmonious with the surroundings. Boarding cottages and two-family houses will be prohibited.Mollineaux Cottage--Turtle Pond Park--1925

Two houses in the Park are offered for rent or for sale. Both are attractively located overlooking Turtle Pond. One of these—which was on the property when it was purchased for development—is an excellently constructed cottage of medium size. Its exterior is finished in hand-hewn cedar shingles. It has two stone chimneys with fireplaces—one in the living room and one in the dining room. One of the two bathrooms is tiled and every room in the house has three exposures. Situated on one of the finest sites in the Park in a grove of pine and white birch trees, it has a water and mountain view which would be difficult to surpass anywhere in the Adirondacks.

English Stucco--Waterfront Cottage--1925The second house, of English stucco design, is new. Modern in every respect, it has a living room 15 by 25 feet containing a fine fieldstone fireplace. The house is equipped with an electric range, an automatic heat regulator for the furnace and has brass pipes throughout. With three major bedrooms, it also contains two baths and servants’ quarters. The outlook is very pleasant from all sides especially from the porches overlooking the water.The situation of Turtle Pond Park is such that it will lend itself to gradual development. Improvement will be made slowly as the growth of the Park warrants, but in all cases improvements will be extended to any property purchased. It is hoped by building in a desirable manner whatever is undertaken, an attractive and picturesque residential settlement of interest and value to the community at large will be created.For further information, apply to George B. Carman, Turtle Pond Park, or local agents.

**As the result of the Great Depression and Carman’s deteriorating health, the development never materialized. George Carman died of TB on July 20, 1934. He was unmarried and the property went to his father, Charles W. Carman, who sold individual parcels but rented the main house to several people—including Sime Silverman, the Founder of Variety, the show business newspaper. Carman sold the remaining parcels on September 11, 1942 to H. Winthrop and Lucille S. Lockwood.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 7, 1952