Scarce 1890 Hotel Breslin * Lake Hopatcong * New Jersey * Blue Book Great Photos

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Fascinating Hotel Breslin, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, Blue Book for 1890. The opening page titled "Beautiful Hopatcong" states: "Glimpses of the lake in the mountains, where the air is pure and cool in warm weather - Points of Interest". On it's 80 pages are just that, many views on alternating pages of the Hotel Breslin, it's grounds, rooms, interiors, and views ... then water scenes and activities ... followed by many distinguished Hopatcong homes and "cottages" ... 5 Crescent Lodge views ... Sister Islands ... Hopatcong D.L. & W. RR Station view ... Bridge across the Glen photo ... Bridge across the River Styx photo and lots more. Opposite each view are full page advertisements, some beautifully engraved featuring Railroads, local Attractions and many New York City and Nationally prominent businesses. Book is softcover and features a wonderful approach map to the resort, including all major Railroads, on the back cover. Please see my many photos above, as well as description above for best condition report.I'll also be listing two wonderful unpublished, one of a kind, Lake Hopatcong Stereoview photos soon, from circa 1930.Historical Perspective of Lake HopatcongFrom the time the Lenape first discovered the waters of Lake Hopatcong some 12,000 years ago, it was a special place. A deep spring-fed lake formed by glaciers, it was the perfect setting for a Native American community. Its forested shores supported ample game while the water furnished abundant fish.The body of water the Lenape knew was twelve feet below the level of the Lake we know today. In ensuing years, dams and dredging have increased the Lake to its current size. Even at its original size, Lake Hopatcong would be the largest lake in the State of New Jersey.Following the War of 1812, the United States entered a great era of canal building. It can perhaps be considered America's first attempt at interstate highways. It was in this era that the idea of the Morris Canal was conceived. Like any canal, the Morris Canal required massive amounts of water. Lake Hopatcong was ultimately raised to its current level and was the Canal s single largest source of water. Along the way, other sources of water were linked - such as the Musconetcong and Passaic Rivers and Greenwood Lake. When more water was eventually needed, the Stanhope Reservoir (now known as Lake Musconetcong) was created.While never realizing the economic success its founders had hoped, the Morris Canal had a tremendous effect on Lake Hopatcong and it set in motion the events which would lead to the Lake's rise as a great resort. It spurred the building of a railroad to connect several mines in the area to the Lake so that they would have access to the Canal. The ten mile long railroad ran from Ogdensburg to the Nolan s Point section of Lake Hopatcong and was completed in 1866.As railroads emerged as the modern transportation alternative, it became clear that a railroad to support a canal contained an unnecessary step - the canal. In 1882, the Central Railroad of New Jersey completed a connection from its main tracks to the Ogden Mine Railroad terminus at Nolan's Point. It did not take long for the Central Railroad of New Jersey management to realize that there was great passenger potential for this newly formed line. Here was a direct rail link to a large lake just over one hour from numerous large cities, as well as New York City itself. In September 1882, the first passenger excursion train arrived at Nolan's Point and the tourist boom at Lake Hopatcong was on! The Lackawanna Railroad, whose tracks passed by the southern end of Lake Hopatcong, quickly added a station to share in the business and two major rail lines were now serving the new resort.Arriving passengers needed activities to busy themselves. This led to the building of pavilions at Nolan's Point to entertain the tourists. One day excursions soon led to a desire for longer stays at this pleasant locale causing quite a construction boom. Prior to the Central Railroad reaching the L... read more

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