Camp Uncas facts for kids
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Camp Uncas
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Camp Uncas gate in 1899
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Raquette Lake, New York |
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| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | William West Durant |
| MPS | Great Camps of the Adirondacks TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002937 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1987 |
| Designated NHL | October 7, 2008 |
Camp Uncas is a famous historic vacation home in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It was started in 1890. This was the second "Great Camp" that William West Durant built for himself. He had to sell his first camp, called Camp Pine Knot, because he was having money problems. Camp Uncas was built on the shore of Lake Mohegan, which is about 110 acres big. It was finished in just two years.
Building Camp Uncas
The camp was built using logs cut right from the property. All the metal parts, like hinges and latches, were made on site by blacksmiths.
The main lodge and dining hall were built in a special way. The logs were not locked together like in most log cabins. Instead, they were joined at the corners using pins. The buildings were very large! The dining hall was 24 by 36 feet. Its walls were 12 feet high, and the ceiling went up to 20 feet, like a cathedral. There was also a huge fireplace inside. The floors, walls, and ceilings were all made of polished wood and natural logs.
Owners of Camp Uncas
In 1896, William West Durant sold Camp Uncas to J. P. Morgan, a very rich and powerful businessman. Morgan bought the camp along with 1,100 acres of land.
After Morgan passed away in 1913, his family owned the camp until 1947. Then, it was sold to the wife of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, another famous wealthy family. She also owned a nearby camp called Sagamore.
Important guests visited Camp Uncas. For example, General George Marshall and his wife entertained Madame Chiang Kai-shek there in 1949.
Later, Mrs. Vanderbilt gave Camp Uncas to a foundation. It was then sold to the Rockland County Boy Scouts, who used it as a camp for many years. In 1975, it was sold again and became a private home once more.
A National Historic Landmark
Camp Uncas is very important because of its history and unique design. In 1986, it was suggested to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was officially listed there in 1987.
Even more special, Camp Uncas was named a National Historic Landmark on October 7, 2008. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the United States.
