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Charming housekeeping cottages nestled on the shores of Blue Mt. Lake. Breathtaking waterfront views, private 150' sandy beach. Cozy cottages with knotty pine walls, and free use of canoes, rowboats and paddle boats.

What’s Old is New Again

There’s a lot to be said for being forced to scale back one’s life. Travel far enough north in New York State and you will run out of: cell phone service, shopping malls, crowds, and valet service. On the other hand, you will gain far more than is lost. Plunk yourself dead center in six million acres and watch the possibilities expand…

Sturdy folks (with sturdy incomes)flocked to the Adirondack Mountains in the hey-day of the Great Camps and hotels. Undeterred by mud tracks – optimistically terms “roads” – they boarded trains, steamboats and carriages to reach their heart’s desire – the posh yet sentimentally rustic havens perched alongside (in our case) Blue Mountain Lake.

The Prospect House, with its 300 rooms, electricity, barber shop, bowling alley, telegraph office, orchestra and elegant cuisine, was designed to allow its guests the finest amenities while enjoying a (nearly) unspoiled wilderness. Many old photos feature lavishly clothed men and women picnicking atop clear-cut mountain tops, the ladies’ feathers jauntily saluting the distant views. Nineteenth century vacationers took full advantage of the hunting guides, boating on the lake and swimming in what must have been heavy and uncomfortable bathing suits. For the twenty-first century visitor the social expectations have shifted but the mountain remains unchangeable, the lake pristine. It’s fun to visualize the old hotel and its famous residents, to wonder over the graffiti written on the walls down at the old generator building (now a shining example of the very best Adirondack style of both architecture and living). It’s inspiring to stand on the rock where Verplanck Colvin left his marker during his historic mapping of the Adirondacks. And it’s (as they say) priceless to witness the reunions of families who have spent untold summers at Prospect Point, returning with children and then grandchildren.

But why do they come? Surely there are lakes and mountains in plentiful supply all over the country, each with its own charms and pleasures. To answer that question you would have to experience life here in the Hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake, if even for a few days. Magical seems an overused and trite term to describe a place built of stone and wood and tested by wind and blizzards. It even seems a bit optimistic to glorify a small town that has kept a low profile for decades, depending mainly on the fame of the Adirondack Museum. But say that to those who have spent time here and they will say, with great conviction, that the town does not define the place and the lake is the founder of all that goes on. Business’ come and go, homes are renovated or passed to new families – but the loons, the lake, the wilderness carry on as if the rest of us were the insignificant backdrop in their world.

Prospect Point has played a variety of roles over the past hundred and thirty years, and continues in its present incarnation as a haven for those looking for an intimate look at life in the midst of six million acres. There is more here than the usual summer activities of boating, hiking , swimming and so on.

When the Oestreicher family bought Prospect Point nearly a decade ago, they dedicated themselves to reviving and invigorating the old cottages, adding their interpretation of a Library/Common Room and a winter-friendly Lodge with several independent units, all facing the clear waters of Blue Mountain Lake. As with all projects, this one has evolved to include a wide spectrum of activities and to take advantage of the resources of all four seasons ( yes, even mud season has its special charms!) Winter breaks aside, the property is quiet and contemplative. Until Murder rears its ugly head…

Several times each year Prospect hosts a Murder Mystery Week-end and invites fun-loving adults to come participate in and help solve a murder. For these week-end getaways, meals are included and groups are encouraged to put themselves in the middle of orchestrated chaos. For those seeking a bit more privacy, Valentine’s Day Week-end allows privacy, special treats (including a certificate to a local restaurant) and plenty of firewood for the quiet evenings… Celebrate anything: anniversaries, Hanukah, Christmas or New Year’s.

Ice fishing? Snowshoeing? Cross country skiing? Or just want to finish that novel you’ve had on your bedside for the past year? Once you’ve been to Prospect Point you’ll find your own reason to return, and appreciate what has kept folks coming back for generations.