Detailed Description
The Adirondacks, a mountainous wilderness located in New York State, fundamentally changed in the late 19th century. Expanding rail lines, the publication of travel guides, and other economic and social factors ushered in a new era of tourism and development. As more travel routes opened towns up to settlement and growth, droves of new visitors followed suit. The era of great camps built by Gilded-Age industrialists further brought in wealthy seasonal residents and tourists alike. Recreational outdoor activities were the other part of this boom, with hiking being formally recognized as such around the turn of the 20th century. (1) The popular image of the Adirondacks has been that of a predominately modern, white-settled area that boasts nothing more than seasonal tourism. This historical narrative has often ignored indigenous populations and people of color who have historically lived and worked within the Adirondack Park. 1. ."Hiking in America." Forest History Society. Accessed January 22, 2019. https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/policy-andlaw/recreation-u-s-forest-service/hiking-in-america/.
Union College Schaffer Library Digital Projects
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