The photos that you see here, I made in 1972 while revisiting the Lake. In the 1960's, I was a camper at St. Joseph's Camp for Boy and Girls. I have to admit, I hated camp with a vengeance, but I loved Lake St. Joseph in all it's natural splendor. The fishing in that lake was the best in New York State, and since it is private, it probably is still great.
In my minds eye, I can still see the pickerel and crappies breaking the surface of the water back in the swamp area of the lake. I remember catching two huge (in the opinion of a twelve-year-old) pickerel one evening and bringing them to the camp cook. The next night at meal time, I had my dinner in the kitchen with the cook. It was the best meal I ever had in camp.
The photos were taken with my old Contax and a 105mm lens. Not until I had the slides developed did I realize that the screw mount was mis-aligned. Regrettably, I never did get back there to make some more photos. It is the most beautiful place in New York State.
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The description below is directly from the "Inn At Lake Joseph" website - http://www.LakeJoseph.com. I could not have stated the description of what I know as Lake St. Joseph any better. I have never been to the Inn At Lake Joseph, however, just viewing the website makes me want to plan a visit.
In the latter part of the 19th century, Thomas Hunt Talmage, a businessman from Brooklyn, built the structure as a summer residence which included the lake and 2000 acres of wilderness. Just prior to its completion, he died. A few years later, a group of lost Dominican Sisters from Long Island were looking for property for a new retreat. With horse and carriage, they accidentally turned into a secluded road and came across Talmage House. Mrs. Talmage sold the estate to the sisters and became a close friend and supporter of the order. She lived in the home the remainder of her life as a guest.
As time passed, they developed a self- contained retreat which included farming, schools, children's camps, a convent and a drug rehabilitation center. In addition, Lake Joseph became a major family vacation facility with many guest houses and cottages. In the thirties, the Talmage House became the vacation home of Cardinals Hayes and Spellman. The house hosted hundreds of international dignitaries and celebrities over the years and became known as the Cardinal House.
The facility known as Saint Joseph reached its peak in the late sixties and closed after 120 years of service in the late seventies. Most of the existing buildings were razed and the land was returned to its original wilderness state leaving the Talmage House standing. In the early eighties, two lost Sunday drivers turned down a secluded road to seek directions back to the main highway. There stood the Talmage House, a bit ruffled but in reasonably good condition waiting to be discovered again.
They immediately envisioned the dwelling as a fine country inn and welcomed its first guests in 1982.
In my minds eye, I can still see the pickerel and crappies breaking the surface of the water back in the swamp area of the lake. I remember catching two huge (in the opinion of a twelve-year-old) pickerel one evening and bringing them to the camp cook. The next night at meal time, I had my dinner in the kitchen with the cook. It was the best meal I ever had in camp.
The photos were taken with my old Contax and a 105mm lens. Not until I had the slides developed did I realize that the screw mount was mis-aligned. Regrettably, I never did get back there to make some more photos. It is the most beautiful place in New York State.
---
The description below is directly from the "Inn At Lake Joseph" website - http://www.LakeJoseph.com. I could not have stated the description of what I know as Lake St. Joseph any better. I have never been to the Inn At Lake Joseph, however, just viewing the website makes me want to plan a visit.
In the latter part of the 19th century, Thomas Hunt Talmage, a businessman from Brooklyn, built the structure as a summer residence which included the lake and 2000 acres of wilderness. Just prior to its completion, he died. A few years later, a group of lost Dominican Sisters from Long Island were looking for property for a new retreat. With horse and carriage, they accidentally turned into a secluded road and came across Talmage House. Mrs. Talmage sold the estate to the sisters and became a close friend and supporter of the order. She lived in the home the remainder of her life as a guest.
As time passed, they developed a self- contained retreat which included farming, schools, children's camps, a convent and a drug rehabilitation center. In addition, Lake Joseph became a major family vacation facility with many guest houses and cottages. In the thirties, the Talmage House became the vacation home of Cardinals Hayes and Spellman. The house hosted hundreds of international dignitaries and celebrities over the years and became known as the Cardinal House.
The facility known as Saint Joseph reached its peak in the late sixties and closed after 120 years of service in the late seventies. Most of the existing buildings were razed and the land was returned to its original wilderness state leaving the Talmage House standing. In the early eighties, two lost Sunday drivers turned down a secluded road to seek directions back to the main highway. There stood the Talmage House, a bit ruffled but in reasonably good condition waiting to be discovered again.
They immediately envisioned the dwelling as a fine country inn and welcomed its first guests in 1982.
