Persrown ©tse§o AKEr l,,'l%^i'^^$^^!^:;n^0ii^ ^:wmP M;'!!i>y■'f^c^t ■■■'■■ iCooperstown Otsego Lake AND COOPE RSTOW N, N.Y. HE. BISSELL. ^Z^ ^^^ s^^ ^^'^p* e^^ s^^ Si?^ ^?' i^^ Si^* ^^^ ^^ ^?^ 1^^ ^^ <^^ ^^^ ( '* B^* ^* 4^* ^* a^* «^* ^^ ^^ ^* ^* ^* ^* 4^* »^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ e^^ s^^ i^^ f^^ Descriptive sketch of the village made famous by J. Fenimore Cooper, in his Leatherstocking Tales, with views of village and lake. COPYRIGHT KY CLARENCE >V. DAVIDSOK. lOOl. ALIj RIGHTS KESEKVED. PRINTEn AT THK l>KKIeE OF THE OTSEOO REl'UBLICAN'^. COOPERSTO\VN. X.Y. LIBRARY UNlVERSrn' OF CALIFORNM SAM/k BAKiiARA TBioWn Qm- ,^^ ITUATED at the foot of Otsego Lake, at the headwaters of the Susquehanna, is the historic village of Cooperstown. "The „__, most beautiful place in all the world," is the unanimous verdict of thousands of people from all parts of the continent who have visited Cooperstown. One of the chief attractions of this beautiful inland resort is the lake, the 'Glimmerglass' of Cooper's 'Leatherstocking Tales', stretching away to the north, between gently undulating hills on the west, and the more abrupt, mountainous elevations on the east. The pen of the great novelist has immortalized this beautiful sheet of water. The scene so vividly described by the author in ''T/ic Deershiyer'' were either enacted on the lake, or on the leafy shores or mountains that surround it. Every little point has been portrayed with a wealth of romantic detail that makes the story as real as the place itself. The lake still retains its natural beauty, the trees and bushes overhanging its edges are still mirrored in its limpid waters, and flitting clouds are reflected as they were a century and a half ago. As it appeared to Ueerslayer when he first looked upon this lake of the hills:— '•In about ten minutes they both broke suddenly into the brilliant li-ht of the sun, on a low gravelly point, that wa.s washed by water on quite half its outline. , , , , "An exclamation of surprise broke from the lips of Deerslayer, when, on reaching the mar-. n of the lake, he beheld THE UAKE, FROM THE WEST. THE PARK, LOOKING SOUTH. m COUNCIL ROCK. LEATHERSTOCKING FALLS. the view that unexiJectedly met his gaze. It was, in truth, sufficiently striking- to merit a brief description. On a level with the point lay a broad sheet of water, so placid and limpid that it resembled a bed of the pure mountain atmosphere, compressed into a setting- of hills and -woods. Its length was about three leagues, while its breadth was irregular, expand- ing to half a league or even more, opposite to the point, and contracting to less than half that distance, more to the south- ward. Of course, its margin was irregular, being indented by bays, and broken by many projecting low points. At its northern or nearest end it was bounded by an isolated mount- ain, lower land falling off east and west, gracefully relieving the sweep of the outline. "But the most striking peculiarities of the scene were its solemn solitude and sweet repose. On all sides, wherever the eye turned, nothing met it but the mirror-like surface of the lake, the placid view of heaven, and the dense setting of the woods. So rich and fleecy were the outlines of the forest that scarce an opening could be seen, the whole visible earth, from the rounded mountain-top to the water's edge, presenting one unvaried hue of verdure." No essential chang-es have been made in the appear- ance of the lake since Cooper penned the above de- scription. True, -we see no 'Hntter's Castle' rising from the water, but 'the sunken island," with the rushes growing- over it, remains as in the days of the stirring scenes portrayed by the great American novel- ist. Upon the eastern shore, on Point Judith, King- fisher's Tower, a handsome medieval structure, rises some sixty feet above the water. No Huron camp is on the shore, for the red men have disappeared from the valley. The forest at the west has been cleared away, and in its place upon the hill-side are fertile farms, while on the eastern shore the forest, with few exceptions, still grows to the water's edge, and back in unbroken fastness to the summit of the hills. Says the author of the ^^Historv oj Coopcrstozfii :^'' "Although there may be other lakes as beautiful, with scenery as diversitied, it would be difficult to find another spot combining all the advantages of the 'Glimmerglass.' The graceful bays and wooded points, with their 'maple masses sleeping where shore and water blends,' the somber pine for- ests that crown its mountain-tops, the silver streams that thread it lowlands, its winding roads, with their woodland border, and the enchanting- air of romance that ever haunts I its shores and waters, with the fond skies leaning above it, warm with blessing, render Otsego peculiarly attractive to [ the lover of the beautiful. And as from thy wooded rim we ' gaze oif over thy quiet waters, mirroring the mountains^ which, uplifting against the blue wall of the sky, stretch awav in wavy lines, we are assur d that : 'O'er no sweeter lake Shall morning break or noon-cloud sail ; No fairer face than thine shall take The sunset's golden veil.' " THE LAKE. LOOKING SOUTH FROM HYDE HALL. -'^&^P%^' ^ ROAD THROUGH THE CANON AT FIVE-MILE POINT. A RIVER VIEW. J. FENIMORE COOPER'S GRAVE IN CHRIST CHL.'RCH YARD. Places of g;reater beauty can not be found in all the land than the surroundings of this beautiful sheet of water, l_ving in this enchanted basin among- the Ot- sego Hills. Near the outlet and a little to the west ma^' still be seen the rock from which Chingachgook leaped to the deck of the ark and escaped from his pursuers: ■'The rock, which was a favorite place of rendezvous through- out all that region, and where Deerslaver e.\pected to meet his friend .... was a large isolated stone that rested on the bottom of the lake, apparently left there when the waters tore away the earth from around it. in forcing for themselves a passage down the river, and which had obtained its shape fr 'm the action of the elements during the slow progress of centuries. The height of the rock could scarcely exceed six feet, and, as has been said, its sh.ipe was not unlike that given to bee-hives .... ■•■Is the rock empty. Judith?' inquired Deerslayer, as soon as he had checked the drift of the ark. deeming it imprudent to venture unnecessarily near the shore. 'Is anything to be seen fif the Delaware chief?' ■■'Nothing. Peerslayer. Neither rock, shore, tree, nor lake seems to have ever held a human form." .... ■■Deerslayer was interrupted by a slig-ht exclamation from the girl, who in obedience to his hurried gesture, as much as in obedience to his words, had im.ncdiately bent her looks again in the opposite direction. •■ ■What is it? What is it, Judith?" he hastily demanded. ■Is anything to be seen?' ■• ■There is a man on the rock! an Indian warrior, in his paint, and armed ' •' 'Where does he wear his hawk's feather?' eagerly added Deerslayer, relaxing his hold of the line, in readiness to drift nearer to the place of rendezvous. Is it fast to the warlock, or doe-s he carry it above his left ear?' ■■ '"Tis as you say. above the left ear;' he smiles, too, and mutters the word ■Mohican.' ' ■•■God be praisedl 'tis the Serpent at last,' exclaimed the young man, suffering the line to slip through his hands, until, hearing a light bound in the other end of the scow, he instant- ly checked the rope and began to haul it in again, under the assurance that his object was etfected. "At that moment the door of the cabin was hastily opened, and a warrior, dashing through the room, stood at Deerslayer's side, simply uttering the exclamation 'Hugh." At the next instant Judith and Hetty shrieked, and the air was filled with the yells of twenty savages, who came leaping through the branches, down the bank, some actually falling into the water. ■■ 'Pull, Deerslayer!' cried Judith, hastily barring the door. 'Pull for life and death -the lake is full of savages wading after us!' " About two miles from the southern end of the lake and a little back from the shore may be seen Leather- stocking Falls or Panther's Leap. Here the Swan, an Indian girl, came to bathe, unconscious of the presence of Leatherstocking, who near the stream below was THE GLTMMERGLASS. LOOKING NORTH. ENTRANCE TO U E A TH ERSTOC KING CAVE. COOPtR MONUMENT IN L-AKEWOOD CEMETERY. VIEW OF THE VILLAGE AND LAKE FROM HILLS ON THE SOUTHWEST. VIEW OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER ■-f-'^: W, 1 ..-SW rST AFTER IT LEAVES OTSEGO LAKE silently watching the huge but crafty animal prepar- ing to spring upon her. "With deadU- aim the hunter stood And watched the stealthy panther cieep. Still nearer to the noisy flood. To bring- the maid within his rcacli. "When instantly his weapon's rini^. From silent rock, from hill and dell, Was blended in one echoing-. To where the lifeless panther lay.'' The Wild Rose Point of years gone bv, the scene of the parting between Deerslayer and Judith Hutter, is now prosaic Three-Mile Point, which is owntd by the village of Cooperstown and used as a public picnic ground. Not all the romance has deserted it, how- ever, for in the summer, young and old, from far and near, gather at this enchanted spot to pass the hours away. Two miles farther to the northward is Five- Mile Point, and just beyond is Hutter's Point, from which Deerslayer first caught a glimpse of the Glim- merglass. At the northern extremity of the lake rises the Sleeping Lion, a mountain, so-called from a fancied resemblance. The western shore is much broken by little points and bays which add to the attractiveness of the view. A range of hills skirts the entire eastern shore of the lake, terminating in a still higher emi- nence. Mount Vision. At the southern ertd of the lake, somewhat to the cast, the Susquehanna begins its journey to the sea. Those who have visited the lakes of Switzerland and the Lochs of Scotland, as well as the numerous charming inland waters of our own State, say Lake Otsego equals, if it does not surpass, anv of them. Besides the natural beauty of Cooperstown and surroundings, the attractiveness of the place is much increased by well-laid-out and well-kept streets and lawns, by many handsome private residences, by shady walks and pleasant drives for many miles around. Through the liberality of Mrs. Alfred Corning Clark a beautiful public park has been laid out with charm- ing walks under shade trees. In the center of the grounds, on the spot where stood Otsego Hall —the home of Cooper — stands a huge boulder of Syenite, oH which has been placed a bronze statue of an Indian hunter as a memorial of the great novelist. The mound bears bronze tablets, with this inscription: 'On this site stood Otsego Hall, built by William Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, in 1748, the home of James Fenimore Cooper, where he lived from 183^ to the day of his death, September 14th, 1S51; destroyed by fire in 1.853.' OTSEGO HALL. COOHfclR'S HOME. BUILT 1798. BURNED 1852. THE PARK. LOOKING NORTH. THE LAKE FROM NEAR THE QUARRY. LOOKING NORTHWEST. SHADOW BROOK. BEFORE IT ENTERS THE LAKE AT THE HEAD. Ever\- facility is provided for sailing- on the lake. Two steamers for the public and many private launches, together with nearly two hundred row boats, make up the fleet. Nothing could be more delightful than a trip by daylight or moonlight on the waters of this famous lake. As our boat glides swiftly away from the shore we recall that other departure from the southern end of the lake when Deerslayer came to meet his friend. Big Serpent, at Council Rock. But no Indian war cry is heard from the shore, for the wilderness which could conceal a savage has been cleared away, and now upon it the pretty streets of Cooperstown are laid. To the lover of the beautiful, the surroundings of Otsego Lake are ever attractive. There are so many points of interest. Then, too, it was the home of James Fenimore Cooper. In his youth, his father moved here, cleared away the forest, settled, and named the town, and here the great novelist lived, worked and died, and in the old Episcopal Church-yard may be seen his grave beside that of his wife. On a gentle rise of ground in Lakewood Cemetery, a little to the east, and above the village, may be seen the Leatherstocking monument, erected in honor of James Fenimore Cooper. A visit to the town is not complete without a visit to this monument. It is of white marble with square granite base. The shaft, including all, is about twenty-five feet high and is sur- mounted by a Corinthian capital. Only the name 'Fenimore Cooper' is on the base. On the north in relief are emblems illustrating his tales of the sea and his naval histories. On the east side are carved the titles of his warks, with pen, inkstand and an urn with incense rising. On the south are emblems illus- trating his Indian tales. Crowning the column is a statue of I^eatherstocking, dressed in hunting shirt, leggings and deer skin cap, with powder horn and bul- let pouch slung over his shcmlders, his dog, Plector, crouching at his feet. -Some of the numerous points of interest in and about Cooperstown, with distance from the corner of Main and Pioneer Streets, are as follows: Cooper's grave, Episcopal Church-yard, three min- utes walk. Site of Otsego Hall (Coo])cr's home, ) three minutes walk. Hannahs Hill, west side of the lake, one-half mile. The beautiful park called The Cooper (Grounds, three minutes walk. Lakewood Cemetery, east side of the lake, one-half mile. LOOKING NORTH FROM DUGWAY. THE LAKE, LOOKING NORTH. THE PARK, LOOKING NORTH. KINGFISHER TOWER. Prospect Rock, cast side of the lake, tliree-fourths of a mile. Mount Vision, east side of the lake, one mile. Otsetjo or Council Rock, at the outlet, three minutes walk. Cooper's Monument in Lakewood Cemetery. The Echo and Natty Bumppo's Cave, east side, one mile. Point Judith, east side, two miles. Three-Mile Point, the Wild Rose Point of years ago, west side, three miles. Five-Mile Point, west side, five miles. Cooperstown Golf Links five minutes walk. Gravelly Point, where Deerslayer had his first com- bat with a hostile Indian, east side, five miles. The Sunken Island, the site of Hutter's Castle, seven miles. Otsego Golf Clui) Links, at the end of the lake, nine miles. Leatherstocking Falls, west side, two and one-half miles. Cherry Valley, thirteen miles. Richfield Springs, sixteen miles. Sharon Springs, twenty miles. Such are a few of the attractions at this gem of the hills. Sojourners here need have no fear that time with them will be burdensome. It is possible to remain here for the entire season and visit a new point of historic or romantic interest every day. Boating is a favorite pastime with many, while others prefer more prosaic means of recreation, and are to be found enjoying the delightful drives about Cooperstown. Still others adopt the more modern means of travel, and are to be found enjoying the smooth and shady roads upon their bicycles. A climb up the side of Mount Visiim is rewarded by a view of almost the entire lake and the principal points of interest surrounding it. Council Rock may be seen just at the point where the Susquehanna leaves the lake on its way to the ocean. Point Judith is two miles up and on the eastern shore. Across the lake is Leatherstocking Falls, and back of Point Judith, on the mountain, is Natty Bumppo's cave. In imagination one can see Deerslayer's canoe go gliding across the lake, see Hutter's castle rising above the water, catch a glimpse of Hurry Harry and Judith, hear the Indians' wild yell, see the Mohawk trail leading out from the foot of the mountains, hear the wise, pure-minded scout ever counseling justice and truth. Many years have passed since the immor- tal Cooper so vividly pictured these scenes, yet their influence survives, and helps to cast a charm over the 'Glimmerglass' that will linger while its waters surge and its hills re-echo the sound. H I z D > Z 1 c z H m JO SOME LAKE SHORE DRIVES. LAKE VIEWS. Y. M. C. A. BUILDING. THE LAKE. GOLF LINKS. LAKE AND RIVER SCENERY. KINGFISHER TOWER. SOME PICTURESQUE DRIVES. VIEW OF VIUUAGE AND LAKE. -) '"' ll^.;^hy:iJMy^''''.-:^^ CV n