#TBT: Frontier Town's Glory Days

Earlier this week we reported on the up coming auction of Frontier Town, the once spectacular tourist attraction in North Hudson, which ran from 1952, before finally shutting its doors in the early 1990s.

It was the dream of a former telephone company worker Art Benson, a flatlander from Staten Island, Most locals thought he was stark, raving mad  when he proposed the idea, but it grew into something extraordinary. From humble beginnings with just a few log cabins, Frontier Town would eventually have its own rodeo, steam train ride, stage coach hold ups, shoot outs on Main Street, a grain mill, and pens for steers and buffalo. A replica Native American Village and fort completed this wild western town in Upstate New York.

The theme park provided hundreds of seasonal jobs for locals, some who worked for Benson for decades. Today, only a skeleton remains of Frontier Town. So we hope you enjoy our photo gallery. Got memories of Frontier Town as either a visitor or employee? Tell us in comments.

Financial Mess At Schroon's Transfer Station: All Cleaned Up!

An investigation into the Schroon Lake Transfer station by the Essex County Prosecutors Office, appears to be over.

That's according to Town Supervisor Mike Marnell. "Put it this way, they haven't arrested anybody," Marnell told Schroon Laker last week.

Marnell said new policies he put in place, after an audit found thousands of dollars missing, have resulted in a turn around of the facility, with revenues up by more than $70,000 since he took office.

Those policies include having two workers at the facility at all times, a new, accurate scale, a better book keeping system, and abandoning the practice of residents being able to dump bulky items for free.

State auditors found that annual transfer station revenues reported by the town plunged more than $30,000 — a decline of 32 percent — from 2009 to 2011. (Marnell took office in January 2012).

"The old system, just having one employee there, was too much for one person to handle everything. I am pleased with the way things have turned out".

The Easter Bunny: Alive And Well In Schroon

Photo by Gary Meyers. Schroon's Easter Bunny with another satisfied customer!

There have been various sightings this week of  the Easter Bunny,  spotted hopping around Schroon. We have learned this particular bunny belongs  to the “Lions Family”. He (or she) is earning their keep by selling delicious chocolates to raise funds for the all of the community endeavors this very worthwhile organization undertakes. And we hear the Bunny will be at the Glens Falls Bank’s customer and community appreciation day – this Friday, at the bank on Main Street.

It’s going to be a luau-themed party which goes from 11am to 2pm. Mark Piper will perform songs on the ukulele! And keeping the theme going, there will be Hawaiian pizza, subs, salads, fruit and a chocolate fountain.

There will also be a  scavenger hunt and a raffle featuring beach gear. Funds raised will go to the Schroon Lake Food Pantry. You can also bring canned goods (and your cash and checks!!!) to donate to the pantry while you are there. For more info call the bank at  (518) 532-7121.

More Gore Love

As readers of Schroon Laker.com know, we are not shy about expressing our love for the mountain closest to Schroon. So we were happy to hear that we are not alone. A skiers website has just named Gore as one of the 5 most under rated resorts in North America!

"Gore is a fantastic state run ski area in the Adirondack mountains of New York. You might hear “state run resort” and think it’s some budget ski area with no desirable amenities such as high-speed quads, gondolas or snowmaking but you would be dead wrong. Gore might not have a 5 star lodge at it’s base but the ski experience is on par with any of the high price ski resorts in the east. Recent terrain expansions have opened up vast amounts of prime east coast glades making this gem shine even brighter".

Meanwhile, Mother Nature will play a large role in determining just how long Gore will be open for Spring skiing. Check their website daily to see what's happening. And don't forget, the sale of their bargain basement priced season passes ends on April 25th.