Prospect Mountain (Warren County, New York)
Prospect Mountain is a mountain located in the town of Lake George in Warren County, New York.[1] New York State Route 917A, an unsigned reference route also known as Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, is a toll road maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation[2] and is the highway by which one reaches the summit at 5.88 miles (9.46 km), where a 100-mile (160 km) view can be seen.[3]
History
![](../I/m/Cable_Railway_Gears.jpg)
Prospect Mountain originally had to use an incline railway car to access the house at the top where people could dance and eat.[4] Construction on the railway began in January 1895 and cost $120,000 total. Construction was finished six months later, with the railway opening on June 15, 1895.[4] After failing financially, the railway system ceased operation in 1903.[5] The area was bought and soon donated to the State of New York. The nearby hiking trail that heads up towards the mountaintop is part of the old railway.[6]
In 1932, the building at the top of the mountain burned down and was replaced by a steel fire tower.[7] For 30 years, people studied what to do with the land, which was owned by the state, and in 1954, New York Governor Tom Dewey signed legislation to build a highway up the mountain. Twelve years later, in 1966, then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller made funds available for the highway.[7] The Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway was opened in 1969, dedicated to war veterans and providing access to the 2,021-foot (616 m) summit with a 100-mile (160 km) view at its peak.[8]
Gallery
- Prospect Mt. first overlook
- Prospect Mt. second overlook
- Prospect Mt. summit overlook
- Prospect Mt. summit large overview
- Prospect Mt. Lake George detail
References
- "Prospect Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- New York State Department of Transportation (January 2012). Official Description of Highway Touring Routes, Bicycling Touring Routes, Scenic Byways, & Commemorative/Memorial Designations in New York State (PDF). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- Google (December 25, 2007). "Overview map of NY 917A" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
- The Catskill Archive (2007). "THE PROSPECT MOUNTAIN CABLE INCLINE RAILWAY". Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- Dr. Patrick L. Cooney (2007). "A Brief History of Lake George". Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- "Lake George Area Scenic Byway - New York Scenic Drives". GORP. 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- "Prospect Mountain in History". Lake George Historical Association. 2002. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
- "Missing veterans honored on mountaintop". The Post-Star. 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2007.