Thousand Island Park Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Thousand Island Park Historic District
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Victorian Homes, August 2009
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | S tip of Wellesley Island, Orleans, New York |
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| Area | 176 acres (71 ha) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001177 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1982 |
The Thousand Island Park Historic District is a special area in Orleans, Jefferson County, New York, United States. It is found on the southern tip of Wellesley Island. This district is famous for its many old buildings. There are 294 buildings that help tell its story. They show how people built homes and resorts in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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History of Thousand Island Park
Thousand Island Park is on the southwest tip of Wellesley Island. It is in the middle of the Thousand Islands, right on the Saint Lawrence River. In 1875, a man named Rev. J.F. Dayan started Thousand Island Park. It began as a summer camp for Methodists. It was similar to a Chautauqua community.
The main idea was to help families find nice spots for cottages or tents. They could spend part of the summer in a beautiful, cool, and healthy place. Religious activities were also important, but not the only reason. A big fire almost destroyed the Park's famous buildings and way of life. Luckily, much of it still remains today.
From Tents to Cottages
The Methodist summer camp started as a "tent city." Soon, it became a village with permanent summer homes. This village grew much larger than other similar camps. All the roads in the Park lead to the Tabernacle. This building was placed right at the head of the Park on St. Lawrence Avenue.
The Tabernacle was a central place for people to meet. They joined in Chautauqua-like programs. These programs included religious studies and Sunday school. There were also outdoor activities, travel talks, and discussions about social changes.
Campers first rented lots and set up their tents. The best spots were closest to the Tabernacle. These groups of tents were often called a "tent city." The first small homes were actually wooden tents. They were built on the original wooden tent platforms.
People also got creative and mixed different styles. They added fancy decorations to these small structures. These were called "Landmark Shops." As the Park grew, larger homes became popular. Many of these Victorian cottages show different styles from the 1800s.
Popular Architectural Styles
Besides the charming Gothic Tent style cottages, other styles became popular. These included Gothic Revival, Eastlake, Stick, Shingle, and Queen Anne. After the big fire in 1912, new styles appeared. These were Bungalow/Craftsman styles, Neoclassical Revival style, and vernacular cottages. These new homes added to the Park's varied look.
By 1890, the Park was very well-known. It had almost 600 cottages and 7,000 summer residents. Rules about curfews and alcohol became less strict. This made the Park feel more like a resort. The Pavilion was the main entrance to this Methodist retreat. Back then, everyone traveled to Wellesley Island by water.
The new, larger Pavilion could handle big steamships. It served as the main gateway to the Park. Hundreds of visitors came seeking learning and fun. They joined in the Chautauqua programs.
The 1912 Fire
In 1912, a big fire caused a lot of damage. The Park's last large hotel, The Columbian, was destroyed. Also, 99 cottages and the business area burned down. This fire marked the end of the "Golden Era" for the Park. After the fire and through the Great Depression, less than half of the cottages were used. Eventually, another 200 cottages were torn down.
Thousand Island Park Today
In 1975, the Park celebrated its 100th birthday. This event helped bring about change. People started to appreciate the Park's beautiful buildings and setting again. The Centennial Celebration led to the creation of the Landmark Society in 1976. This group helped the Park get back its special architectural look.
A small group of dedicated Landmark Society members worked hard. They helped get Thousand Island Park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This finally happened in 1982. Today, the Thousand Island Park Landmark Society is supported by people who want to continue its mission. They work to protect the Park's history and unique character.
See also
In Spanish: Thousand Island Park (Nueva York) para niños
