Spitfire Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spitfire Lake |
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 Spitfire Lake
Location in New York
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| Location | Franklin County, New York |
| Coordinates | 44°24′57″N 74°16′20″W / 44.41583°N 74.27222°W |
| Type | lake |
| Surface area | 250-acre (1.0 km2) |
Spitfire Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Adirondacks of northern New York State. It is part of the St. Regis River system. The lake covers an area of about 250 acres (which is about 1 square kilometer).
Spitfire Lake, along with nearby Upper St. Regis Lake and Lower St. Regis Lake, became very popular in the late 1800s. It was a favorite summer spot for many wealthy and important American families. They were attracted to the area by its amazing natural beauty. They also loved the simple, rustic charm of Paul Smith's Hotel, a famous resort nearby.
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A Summer Retreat for Important Families
Spitfire Lake is home to many large, old summer "cottages" and special places called "Great Camps." These were not simple cabins. They were huge, fancy estates built for summer vacations. Famous people like Frederick W. Vanderbilt, Anson Phelps Stokes, and Whitelaw Reid owned summer homes here.
What Were Great Camps?
The "Great Camps" were unique. Many of these family retreats started as groups of tents. Each tent had a different purpose, like sleeping, eating, or playing games. Over time, these tent areas grew into permanent buildings. They were built with a style that looked natural and fit into the beautiful surroundings.
Part of the Seven Carries Canoe Route
Spitfire Lake is an important part of a historic canoe path called the Seven Carries. This route was originally used to travel by canoe from Paul Smith's Hotel all the way to Saranac Inn. It's a famous path for paddling through the Adirondack wilderness.
Images for kids
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The Inlet, Spitfire Lake, 1903
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A "Camp" on Spitfire Lake
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Boat house on Spitfire Lake
