1850
William West Durant (WWD) born to Dr. Thomas C. Durant and Heloise Timbrell Durant in Brooklyn NY; Sister Ella (Heloise) born three years later (1853).
William West Durant (WWD) born to Dr. Thomas C. Durant and Heloise Timbrell Durant in Brooklyn NY; Sister Ella (Heloise) born three years later (1853).
1858 Ralph Waldo Emerson is part of the Philosophers Camp; writes The Adirondacs poem.
1861
Dr. Thomas C. Durant ships family (Mrs. Heloise Timbrell Durant, William West Durant and Ella Durant) to England on the SS Great Eastern as the U.S. is on the brink of a civil war, and while he develops the Transcontinental Railroad. William (age 11) educated in England.
Dr. Thomas C. Durant ships family (Mrs. Heloise Timbrell Durant, William West Durant and Ella Durant) to England on the SS Great Eastern as the U.S. is on the brink of a civil war, and while he develops the Transcontinental Railroad. William (age 11) educated in England.
1864
Dr. Thomas C. Durant begins to look beyond the Union Pacific for business prospects. Starts land speculation in the Adirondacks. Buys up land from New York State for as little as five cents an acre. Dr. Durant forms the Adirondack Railroad Co. with goal of bringing rail route from New York City to North Creek, NY and across the Adirondacks to Canada. Raquette Lake figures prominently – central region.
Dr. Thomas C. Durant begins to look beyond the Union Pacific for business prospects. Starts land speculation in the Adirondacks. Buys up land from New York State for as little as five cents an acre. Dr. Durant forms the Adirondack Railroad Co. with goal of bringing rail route from New York City to North Creek, NY and across the Adirondacks to Canada. Raquette Lake figures prominently – central region.
1865 NY Times article calls the Adirondacks the Central Park for the World.
1865
New York State law passed that allows companies that have acreage in the Adirondacks to be tax exempt if they develop the land with infrastructure. Adirondack Co. owns close to 1 million in acreage in the Adirondacks – all tax exempt – until 1883. Dr. Thomas C. Durant buys up more land at tax sales. Lumber companies and investors at the time would purchase land for the lumber rights, clear cut and abandon for unpaid taxes. Dr. Thomas C. Durant sends company lawyers to tax sales and buy the land cheap, promises to develop railroad and transportation lines. As long as he fulfilled this promise, the land stays tax exempt.
New York State law passed that allows companies that have acreage in the Adirondacks to be tax exempt if they develop the land with infrastructure. Adirondack Co. owns close to 1 million in acreage in the Adirondacks – all tax exempt – until 1883. Dr. Thomas C. Durant buys up more land at tax sales. Lumber companies and investors at the time would purchase land for the lumber rights, clear cut and abandon for unpaid taxes. Dr. Thomas C. Durant sends company lawyers to tax sales and buy the land cheap, promises to develop railroad and transportation lines. As long as he fulfilled this promise, the land stays tax exempt.
1866
William West Durant (WWD) gets his first hunting license to hunt on the Isle of Wight, England, lists his address as Shanklin. He also travels to Norway with his sister Ella and stays with family friends.
William West Durant (WWD) gets his first hunting license to hunt on the Isle of Wight, England, lists his address as Shanklin. He also travels to Norway with his sister Ella and stays with family friends.
1867
Mrs. Heloise Durant and children William and Ella living with Major General John Adams Dix in his home in Paris while he was Minister to France. Dix was a figurehead President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1863-1868 and family friend.
Mrs. Heloise Durant and children William and Ella living with Major General John Adams Dix in his home in Paris while he was Minister to France. Dix was a figurehead President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1863-1868 and family friend.
1869
William H. Murray publishes book Adventures in the Wilderness. Popularizes the Adirondacks for wealthy NYC tourists.
WWD travels to Egypt from England. Meets up with Prince of Wales, Charles Leigh Arkwright, British Industrialist, and Samuel White Baker, big game hunter from England.
Hannah Durant is awarded a sum over $200,000 from the City of New York for the condemnation of land, owned in her name, annexed to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Dr. Durant uses the funds to build a mill and house in North Creek, NY.
William H. Murray publishes book Adventures in the Wilderness. Popularizes the Adirondacks for wealthy NYC tourists.
WWD travels to Egypt from England. Meets up with Prince of Wales, Charles Leigh Arkwright, British Industrialist, and Samuel White Baker, big game hunter from England.
Hannah Durant is awarded a sum over $200,000 from the City of New York for the condemnation of land, owned in her name, annexed to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Dr. Durant uses the funds to build a mill and house in North Creek, NY.
1870-73
Alvah Dunning, famous Adirondack guide, stays with William H. Murray on Osprey Island. Dunning builds cabin. Murray eventually leaves and Alvah takes ownership of the island.
Mrs. Durant, Ella, WWD live and travel in various places in Austria and Germany: Dorf Gastein, Carlsbad, and Dresden. WWD is sick for much of the time (possible cholera? Family letters mention a stomach illness).
WWD stays at Claymore Cottage, West Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, possibly during yachting season. He maintains a friendship with Sir Charles Locock 2nd Baronet, who has a country home at Binstead on Isle of Wight. Letters from Locock are business like and friendly. Locock may have been Durant's Barrister in England.
WWD takes hunting excursions with Napier brothers - Jack and William (who eventually becomes 11th Lord Napier from Thirlestane, Scotland).
Alvah Dunning, famous Adirondack guide, stays with William H. Murray on Osprey Island. Dunning builds cabin. Murray eventually leaves and Alvah takes ownership of the island.
Mrs. Durant, Ella, WWD live and travel in various places in Austria and Germany: Dorf Gastein, Carlsbad, and Dresden. WWD is sick for much of the time (possible cholera? Family letters mention a stomach illness).
WWD stays at Claymore Cottage, West Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, possibly during yachting season. He maintains a friendship with Sir Charles Locock 2nd Baronet, who has a country home at Binstead on Isle of Wight. Letters from Locock are business like and friendly. Locock may have been Durant's Barrister in England.
WWD takes hunting excursions with Napier brothers - Jack and William (who eventually becomes 11th Lord Napier from Thirlestane, Scotland).
1873-74
WWD travels again to Egypt for a hunting trip with Charles Leigh Arkwright, British industrialist.
Credit Mobilier collapse scandal. Dr. Thomas C. Durant is accused of government bribery.
Dr. Durant loses a fortune in Panic of ’73.
Dr. Thomas Durant visits family in England to advise them they are under financial distress. He tells them they must come back to live in the States.
Mrs. Durant sells her jewelry and borrows money from Sir Charles Locock, 2nd Baronet, possibly their Barrister, and family friend.
Durants own ½ million acres of land in Central Adirondacks in assets.
Dr. Durant was land rich and cash poor. His company, the Adirondack Company had by then, spent $6 mil on a line from North Creek to Central ADK. He could not get investors in London or NYC interested in helping him refinance.
Verplanck Colvin becomes Superintendent of Adirondack Survey. Discovers Lake Tear-of-the-Clouds as source of Hudson.
Colvin advocates for the next decade for the formation of a State Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks. Advocates for protection of the Adirondack watershed which leads to the Hudson River as economic imperative for protection of the Erie Canal.
WWD travels again to Egypt for a hunting trip with Charles Leigh Arkwright, British industrialist.
Credit Mobilier collapse scandal. Dr. Thomas C. Durant is accused of government bribery.
Dr. Durant loses a fortune in Panic of ’73.
Dr. Thomas Durant visits family in England to advise them they are under financial distress. He tells them they must come back to live in the States.
Mrs. Durant sells her jewelry and borrows money from Sir Charles Locock, 2nd Baronet, possibly their Barrister, and family friend.
Durants own ½ million acres of land in Central Adirondacks in assets.
Dr. Durant was land rich and cash poor. His company, the Adirondack Company had by then, spent $6 mil on a line from North Creek to Central ADK. He could not get investors in London or NYC interested in helping him refinance.
Verplanck Colvin becomes Superintendent of Adirondack Survey. Discovers Lake Tear-of-the-Clouds as source of Hudson.
Colvin advocates for the next decade for the formation of a State Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks. Advocates for protection of the Adirondack watershed which leads to the Hudson River as economic imperative for protection of the Erie Canal.
1876-77
William visits Adirondacks for first time in the winter of 1876. Durant has built crude cabins in the woods.
Charlie Bennett and Ed Bennett build hunting cabins on Long Point near Pine Knot and serve as guides to Durants.
William visits Adirondacks for first time in the winter of 1876. Durant has built crude cabins in the woods.
Charlie Bennett and Ed Bennett build hunting cabins on Long Point near Pine Knot and serve as guides to Durants.
Ella finds a large branch with pine knot and comes up with the name Pine Knot.
Anna Leonowens and Poultney Bigelow visit Pine Knot. Barque of the Pine built (houseboat) at Pine Knot for Mrs. Heloise Hannah Durant so she can escape the biting insects.
William reconfigures the main building at Pine Knot in style of Swiss Cottage.
Charles Durant (William's cousin) steps on Osprey Island looking to build. Has a stand off with Alvah Dunning over ownership.
Frederick Clark Durant buys land to build Prospect Hotel on Blue Mountain Lake.
Anna Leonowens and Poultney Bigelow visit Pine Knot. Barque of the Pine built (houseboat) at Pine Knot for Mrs. Heloise Hannah Durant so she can escape the biting insects.
William reconfigures the main building at Pine Knot in style of Swiss Cottage.
Charles Durant (William's cousin) steps on Osprey Island looking to build. Has a stand off with Alvah Dunning over ownership.
Frederick Clark Durant buys land to build Prospect Hotel on Blue Mountain Lake.
1878-79
Dr. Durant's Adirondack Company is officially bankrupt according to a NYT article published June 12, 1880.
Francis Stott, former partner with Dr. Durant, builds camp on Bluff Point on Raquette Lake.
Ed Bennett opens Under the Hemlocks Hotel on Raquette Lake.
Frederick Clark Durant builds Prospect Hotel on Blue Mountain Lake.
Dr. Durant's Adirondack Company is officially bankrupt according to a NYT article published June 12, 1880.
Francis Stott, former partner with Dr. Durant, builds camp on Bluff Point on Raquette Lake.
Ed Bennett opens Under the Hemlocks Hotel on Raquette Lake.
Frederick Clark Durant builds Prospect Hotel on Blue Mountain Lake.
Durants build Mission of Good Shepherd Church on Raquette Lake
Durants build a Catholic church on Raquette - St. Williams
Charles Durant builds Camp Fairview.
William installs telegraph line from Pine Knot to North Creek. Starts navigation line through Blue Mountain Lake. Starts a steamboat line.
Durants build a Catholic church on Raquette - St. Williams
Charles Durant builds Camp Fairview.
William installs telegraph line from Pine Knot to North Creek. Starts navigation line through Blue Mountain Lake. Starts a steamboat line.
1880-83
Marc Cook publishes article in Harper's Magazine called the Miracle Cure. Claims that the Adirondacks will heal consumption. People flock to the region (including the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson) for a cure only to find it can be cold and rainy half the time, worst thing for their coughs and colds. Many die staying in region or en route home.
William becomes President of the Adirondack Railroad Co. in partnership with William Sutphen.
1884
William marries Janet Lathrop Stott
1885
Dr. Thomas C. Durant dies
Ella Durant leaves to live in London
1889-91
William sells the Adirondack railroad company and some of the landholdings
Ella questions William about her inheritance receives $25,000
(~ $650,000 in today's money) plus an allowance
Ella publishes Dante: a Dramatic Poem
William starts construction on Great Camp Uncas. Commissions the building of a yacht (Utowana) sets off for trip abroad with his family.
1892
William voyages on his yacht Utowana with his family to Madeiras, Europe, Egypt, Isle of Wight, England.
Ella heads back to America to find a lawyer to take her case up against her brother.
1893
Winter 1893 William entertains lavishly, inviting family and friends such as Malcolm Forbes to Camp Pine Knot in the Adirondacks for sleigh rides and extravagant dinner parties. It is a festive time until the Panic of 1893 sets the stock markets crashing and a run on the banks. Although William continues with his lavish entertainment into the summer, the economy doesn't recover. J.P. Morgan bails out the U.S. Treasury, lending over $65 million in gold bullion.
William continues to build Uncas.
Ella escorts the daughters of former New York City Mayor, Abram Hewitt for a Grand Tour of Europe.
1894
William and Janet separate.
1895
William incorporates the Adirondack Forest Park and Land Company
William sells Pine Knot to Collis P. Huntington
William borrows money from Huntington using land as collateral
1896
Ella sues William.
Ella marries Charles (Marcus) Rose.
William files for divorce.
Uncas is finished. William lives at Uncas and lets an apartment in New York City.
1897
Ella has a son, Durant Rose
William builds Great Camp Sagamore
1898
William sues his wife Janet for divorce claiming adultery. Janet counter-sues claiming cruelty
William sells Uncas to J.P. Morgan
1899
Ella and William go to trial over estate.
William moves into Camp Sagamore
Marc Cook publishes article in Harper's Magazine called the Miracle Cure. Claims that the Adirondacks will heal consumption. People flock to the region (including the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson) for a cure only to find it can be cold and rainy half the time, worst thing for their coughs and colds. Many die staying in region or en route home.
William becomes President of the Adirondack Railroad Co. in partnership with William Sutphen.
1884
William marries Janet Lathrop Stott
1885
Dr. Thomas C. Durant dies
Ella Durant leaves to live in London
1889-91
William sells the Adirondack railroad company and some of the landholdings
Ella questions William about her inheritance receives $25,000
(~ $650,000 in today's money) plus an allowance
Ella publishes Dante: a Dramatic Poem
William starts construction on Great Camp Uncas. Commissions the building of a yacht (Utowana) sets off for trip abroad with his family.
1892
William voyages on his yacht Utowana with his family to Madeiras, Europe, Egypt, Isle of Wight, England.
Ella heads back to America to find a lawyer to take her case up against her brother.
1893
Winter 1893 William entertains lavishly, inviting family and friends such as Malcolm Forbes to Camp Pine Knot in the Adirondacks for sleigh rides and extravagant dinner parties. It is a festive time until the Panic of 1893 sets the stock markets crashing and a run on the banks. Although William continues with his lavish entertainment into the summer, the economy doesn't recover. J.P. Morgan bails out the U.S. Treasury, lending over $65 million in gold bullion.
William continues to build Uncas.
Ella escorts the daughters of former New York City Mayor, Abram Hewitt for a Grand Tour of Europe.
1894
William and Janet separate.
1895
William incorporates the Adirondack Forest Park and Land Company
William sells Pine Knot to Collis P. Huntington
William borrows money from Huntington using land as collateral
1896
Ella sues William.
Ella marries Charles (Marcus) Rose.
William files for divorce.
Uncas is finished. William lives at Uncas and lets an apartment in New York City.
1897
Ella has a son, Durant Rose
William builds Great Camp Sagamore
1898
William sues his wife Janet for divorce claiming adultery. Janet counter-sues claiming cruelty
William sells Uncas to J.P. Morgan
1899
Ella and William go to trial over estate.
William moves into Camp Sagamore
