CLICK & GO! (On this page.) History of the 1829 Stone House. A Fourpeaks Story: Buying the Devlin Place. Continue The Stone House Tour. Photo Captions Learn More About Jay & The Covered Bridge. Your Fourpeaks Host helps navigate his webpage. 
[Click on Photo For Larger Size]
THE STONE HOUSE was built in 1829 (Top two photos circa 1930.) by Commodore
Southmayd after his service on Lake Champlain in the
War of 1812. The fan light and rigidly symmetrical
window and chimney treatments are typical of the
Federalist (early U.S.) period in architecture. There
is evidence that building was accomplished by local
masons and shipwrights (for framing). The neighboring
stone house was built in 1830 for Southmayd's son.
The house remained in the Southmayd family
until recently, doing service in modern times as a Maternity Hospital and a Nursing Home. Except for the removal of the
ground floor kitchen and bakery, was subjected to no
destructive renovations since it was built. (Superficial additions
were removed by the present owner.) For information,
the 1830 house interior was recently destroyed by fire.For a time around the turn of the century the 1829 Stone House was owned by the Lake Placid Club and was operated as a vegetable farm for member tables. For years, until he passed away recently, Mr. Williams tended a bountiful one-acre patch right by the river. The neighboring Stone House is studio/workshop/home for a well known Adirondack artist/photographer. 
The Story. The Devlin Place. The land purchases that rounded out the Fourpeaks property, roughly 700 acres bordered by Wainright, Basset, Ebenezer and Rattlesnake Knob, were completed in '72. But we still dabbled with the idea of acquiring more adjacent property and I would hear from Dan Deighan, the land broker, from time to time. So it was no surprise when there was a call from him at the office one day in March '73. But this was not another woodlot or side of a mountain that could be bought at a price. Gene and Theresa had closed the Nursing Home business at the Stone House years ago, and now they wanted to sell it and move out. Weekenders who treasured our quiet camp visits, Louise and I had no need for the place. But the idea that the property could be bought and developed (ugh!), spoiling our pretty camp entrance-way was reason enough to buy. The first year we had it was the year of the printing paper crunch. And so the Storage Building got built in a big hurry. But that's another story--the dirt moving that cleaned up the side of the lot, the big granite wall and a new approach to the house--deemphasizing the relation to the highway in favor of Stonehouse Road. The first stage of renovations to house itself removed the Nursing Home features--the steel fire exit from the second floor, the dumbwaiter connecting the basement with the first and second floor and the trapdoor in the stairwell Finding the antique railing preserved and complete in the attic was a wonderful surprise! And we removed the modern bathroom fixtures from the first floor, replacing them with a found pedestal sink and tub. No counter either! 
Outside the covered entrance in front was torn down and Pat Alexander of the Lake Placid Granite Company--who owned the neighboring property at the time--cut new front steps. The beauty parlor, a recent addition on the side was taken down, and we planned a garden there. (See 1930 photo top of page.)Life in the Chelsea Hotel and years of brownstone living on 20th Street left us with a warm feeling for old houses. The Stone House deserved to be better preserved and in '77 we found a pair of talented builders to do it-- Popeye Coolidge and Ed Bedard of AuSable Forks. The circa 1930 cellulose wallboard was removed from the walls in the entire house, exposing plaster surfaces that were carefully repaired. The wood molding was in excellent condition and the few missing pieces were custom made to match. Fireplaces on the the southerly chimney were uncovered, the flue relined and a second one was built to match the northerly one (removed in the '30's). We had earlier installed a forest of cedar poles to support the floors which the missing chimney had supported. Two fireplace mantles were copied from the last remaining one in the front study. (CLICK HERE to hear The Whole Fourpeaks Story--1967-2003, 7 camps, 3 barns, 1 Stone House, 700 acres and 40 years.)
 More About Jay & The Covered Bridge.
 Are you in this picture? Fourpeaks hosts now welcome paying guests to a 700-acre rest and playground for vacations in the Adirondack Great Camp tradition. Couples appreciate Fourpeaks secluded settings. Outdoor loving families have fun exploring our accessible wilderness. Folks with dogs enjoy the open spaces to run their pets. A private nature rereat. For a vacation away from it all. Are you in this picture? CLICK HERE to find out! [More about this at Frequently Asked Questions.]  Inquire about a Fourpeaks Adirondack Vacation/Getaway. (Easy Inquiry Form.)
 (Easy Email form.)
 Tollfree or  Cell phone contact any time.
 
Keep up with us through occasional newsletters. CLICK for sample."Hints of Balsam and Pine from our Corner of the Adirondacks" Join our mailing list! (Easy form.) 
Please Rate Our Fourpeaks Website.
Whether you're an experienced webmaster or just a novice surfer, you may have feedback or suggestions to help us improve. We well remember the visitor who complained about the unpleasant glare from the HTML default royal blue links. That lead us to entirely revamp our background and link colors, making them softer, more eye pleasing. And the Florida expert who warned us about frustrating visitors with blind links. We followed his advice and now carefully identify links so visitors know before they "click" exactly where they're clicking to. Your comments or suggestions will be equally appreciated. NOTE: If you got here via one of our many subsidiary information pages, CLICK HERE to get the best view-- from our concise "Home Page." Thanks. [CLICK HERE for easy email form to make your feedback/suggestions.] |
(3) Just got a minute to spare? Tell me about the Adirondack Vacation you dream about.