Archeology in the Adirondacks: The Last Frontier

by David R Starbuck

While numerous books have been written about the great camps, hiking trails, and wildlife of the Adirondacks, noted anthropologist David R. Starbuck offers the only archeological guide to a region long overlooked by archeologists who thought that “all the best sites” were elsewhere. This beautifully illustrated volume focuses on the rich and varied material culture brought to the mountains by their original Native American inhabitants, along with subsequent settlements created by soldiers, farmers, industrialists, workers, and tourists. Starbuck examines Native American sites on Lake George and Long Lake; military and underwater sites throughout the Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga, and Crown Point regions; old industrial sites where forges, tanneries, and mines once thrived; farms and the rural landscape; and many other sites, including the abandoned Frontier Town theme park, the ghost town of Adirondac, Civilian Conservation Corps camps, ski areas, and graveyards.

Genres: Archaeology

184 pages, Paperback

Published June 5, 2018

Reviews

[Sergiy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an overview of the current state of archeology in the Adirondack region of Northern New York state. It is written in an accessible manner and should be fine for a general audience while still providing a decently good overview of the current state of affairs in this region for the Archaeologists among us. Mostly I see this as a book destined for the many local shops commonly frequented by summer tourists, I would not be surprised to see this on the bookshelf at "The Mountaineer" in Keene Valley later this year.

For those that are interested in Adirondack Mountain region history this book is a pretty good addition to your library. The chapters regarding the industrial history of the region was especially educational, and is not something I have found in other books. I think all the old industrial and mining ghost towns in the region probably deserve a book all their own. The story about the disinterment and genetic analysis of the remains Jane McCrea was an interesting look at a little known (to me) slice of Revolutionary War history. It seems like every locale on the east coast has a story about how some local played a pivotal role in the war, and it turns out the Adirondacks are no exception.

At times the book is a bit mundane, the author really tries to make everything seem interesting and exciting, but digging up an old outhouse isn't quite like the discovery of Troy. The chapter regarding the digs at an old farm I found to be very boring as well.

One thing I did not find in the book is any mention of an excavation or discovery of the remains of Native American dwelling places or even temporary shelters. Hiking in the region I have heard people tell stories of finding old hunting camps, or lean-tos while bushwhacking on their ancestral hunting grounds that they believed to be constructed by Native Americans in the 1800s. Not sure if this is a thing, but it doesn't seem to be mentioned in this book. Although there are excavations of much older hunting camps in the Lake George area where many stone implements were found. On the other hand the book mentions the finds of 300 year old remains of dug-out canoes, and the possibility of finding even older ones near the old shorelines of lakes and ponds, which I found quite fascinating and tantalizing.

Bottom line: If you like history and you like the 'dacks you might like this book. If you do a lot of hiking and bushwhacking and have ever stumbled upon some old overgrown structure out there in the north woods and wondered what it was, this book can probably point you in the right direction.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly autobiographical with some fun archeological dogs in the Adirondacks mixed in. Starbuck's writing is clear and concise with almost no jargon, and the book itself tells the story of just a few historical moments, most of little significance but some very significant to American history, that unfolded through this beautiful region. Unfortunately, there is very little Native American history or sites described, but that's just personal interest on my part. There's plenty of interesting material on the subjects of industry and normal life, topics often ignored in popular archeology. Starbuck also dives into the seemy underbelly of Adirondack life, literally into the privy holes of the past.

[Heidi Klinowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical tidbits esp about Jane McCrae.