Old Forge, NY and the Adirondack Park
Old Forge Pond The Adirondack Natural Historic Landmark has many towns that act as gateways to the park. They provide motels, souvenir shops, and places to outfit a longer visit. Old Forge, New York, is just such a gateway, and visiting it offered exactly what you would expect. Old Forge was settled in the early 1800’s along the Big Moose River as a farming and iron mining town. Farming was not viable, and when the mine failed, the river was used to provide power to a lumber mill, which also did not survive. In 1874, a dam was built across the river, helping to create a chain of lakes in this section of the park. But the town really came into its own when the railroad was built from Utica, allowing for people from Utica and Syracuse to visit. Today, Old Forge is a town set up for tourists. It sits on the shore of Old Forge Pond, where there is a public beach. There are a wide range of shops selling everything from inexpensive souvenirs to high end crafts and art. Th...