According to the article in The Lake Placid News of April 28, 1916, the trees were planted by the Lake Placid “Women’s Club”, which was organized in December of 1912. The goal of the Club was “service to the community” particularly benefiting Lake Placid’s “esteem.”

The Club’s attention turned to the town’s two cemeteries.

The women planned to “set out 500 trees in each.” Plans were sent to Albany for advice and approval and a partnership with the Conservation Commission ensued. Their goal was to glamorize the cemeteries with a “recognized element for good.”

Trees! We have enjoyed the fruits of their labor for over 100 years. Now we must say goodbye.

The town has already been working on maintaining the Chapel and rehabbing some of the old stones. They have other maintenance and beautification plans, including adding a nice, aesthetic, black metal low-maintenance fence that will protect the headstones.

There has already been the rehabbing of some of the old stones and that will continue. The idea of planting new trees has a major consideration. We will be facing the same problem we are facing now; trees age and must be removed.

Think about what we need to keep our cemetery safe and beautiful. It is not too late to make suggestions, especially if you can be specific. I hope you do. Send them to: karenefountain@aol.com; call me at 518-637-5338 or mail me at Karen Fountain, 271 Old Military Rd., Lake Placid, NY 12946. I will make sure they get to the proper person at the Town. We get to add something that will be beautiful and hopefully last another 100 years.

(Karen E. Fountain is historian for Lake Placid and the town of North Elba.)