Description: Old Forge is nestled at the foot of the Middle Branch of the Moose River, more commonly known as the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Year-round accommodations at the Forge House in 1871 and dependable rail service in 1892 led to permanent settlement of the hamlet. Within a decade, Old Forge emerged as the residential and commercial hub of the Central Adirondacks and a popular destination and gathering place for guides, sportsmen, and wilderness tourists. For the sightseer who strolls around Old Forge today or enjoys a cruise up the eight lakes in the Fulton Chain, the landscape is dotted with scores of century-old dwellings, Victorian cottages, rustic camps, and even a few grand old hotels.
Brief description: Linda Cohen and Peg Masters are both descendants of 19th-century pioneer settlers of the Old Forge region. Linda has been an active member of the local historical association and a board member since 2004. Peg has served as the town historian for the past 10 years and conducts historic walking tours every summer. They coauthored Old Forge: Gateway to the Adirondacks in 2003.