Route 28 and Main Street are used interchangeably when residents describe the stretch of road running through the village of Old Forge, but only a few remaining old-timers can recall the days when the road was known as Harrison Ave.
According to Kate Lewis, director of the Town of Webb Historical Association’s Goodsell Museum, earliest records show that the road was named after Benjamin Harrison—the 23rd president of the United States—sometime in 1896 and through January 1927, approximately.
Harrison, who served as president from 1889 to 1893, purchased a 30-acre peninsula on the south shore of the Fulton Chain of Lakes between First and Second Lakes in 1895.
A widower at the time, he contracted with Herkimer architect Charles E. Cronk to design and build a camp which he ultimately named Berkeley Lodge in homage to his family’s ancestral Virginia plantation.
The main house was sided in spruce logs. Out buildings included a bath house/gazebo, a boathouse and guide’s quarters.
When Harrison re-married in April 1896, he and his much younger bride, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, honeymooned at Berkeley Lodge.
From 1896 to 1900 they enjoyed summers at their Adirondack camp, and in February 1987 the couple welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth.
The family was known to row their boat, Resaca, to services at the local Presbyterian Church.
Harrison contracted pneumonia in early March 1901, succumbing to the sickness on March 13.
His wife and daughter continued to summer at Berkeley Lodge until 1909 when the property was sold to the deCamp family.
In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of President Harrison’s inauguration, Lewis requested that the Town of Webb Board consider revisiting the past and post a Harrison Ave. sign at the corner of Gilbert St. and Route 28 where the Goodsell Museum resides.
The sign was set in place on Wednesday, June 11 by Webb Highway Superintendent Casey Crofut.
In an effort to further recognize President Harrison’s inauguration and affiliation with the area, a fundraiser is being planned for Thursday, July 31 at the Goodsell Museum.
Hosted by long-time/lifetime residents Doc and Judy Foley, Sarah and Linda Cohen, Mark and Susan Webster, Al and Ruth Brussel, and Charlie and June Kiefer, the event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will include wine and beer tastings and hors d’doeuvres.
The cost is $50 per person, $45 for members. Proceeds will benefit the museum’s general operating budget.
More information is available by calling (315) 369-3838.