Saranac Lake in Essex County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Protecting the Natural Beauty of the Region
Saranac Lake Area Restoration
| — | Adirondack Rail Trail | — |
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 4, 2026
1. Protecting the Natural Beauty of the Region Marker
Manufactured Gas Plants (MGPs) - A Source of Energy
For over 100 years manufactured gas plants were an important part of life in the United States and could be found throughout cities and towns in New York. MGPs originally provided gas for streetlights in the early 1800s. By 1900s MGPs greatly increased production and the fuel was widely used for heating and cooking. Most towns in New York with populations over 5,000 had at least one MGP. Larger towns often had more MGPs and New York City had several dozens. When pipelines networks were constructed in the 1950s, natural gas plants replaced MGPs. The Saranac Lake Gas Company MGP operated from the late 1800s to the late 1930s and provided gas gas for homes and businesses.
MGPs - The Aftermath
MGPs created waste that is resistant to natural decay and often remains at the former sites. The primary waste at the Saranac Lake MGP site was an oily liquid known as coal tar, which contaminated Brandy Brook and migrated to Ointiac Bay in Lake Flower.
DEC Investigates
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) began investigating the Saranac Lake MGP
this page online
Site Cleanup Begins in 2019
DEC targeted three areas for cleanup: sediments in both Pontiac Bay and Brandy Brook, and soils at the original site. An estimated 5,800 cubic yards of impacted sediment and soil along Brandy Brook and another 16,900 cubic yards from Pontiac Bay were removed. In addition 39,000 cubic yards of soil at the MGP site were immobilized using a process called In-Situ Solidification, which locks contaminants in place and prevents them from migrating to human or animal receptors.
Restoration Complete
During restoration of Brandy Creek and Pontiac Bay (obscured)
Features such as fish corps and drop-log structures were installed in Pontiac Bay and Brandy Brook to promote fish habitat. In the early nineteenth century, logging was a primary component of the regional economy and remnants of this vast industry in the form of historic logs were uncovered in Pontiac Bay during dredging. Portions of these artifacts are now with Historic Saranac Lake and the Adirondack Experience Museum.
Protecting the Site
( Section obscured by reflections)
Erected by New
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 4, 2026
2. Protecting the Natural Beauty of the Region Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.
Location. 44° 19.196′ N, 74° 7.045′ W. Marker is in Saranac Lake, New York, in Essex County. It is on Adirondack Rail Trail north of Dorchester Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the bike path. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saranac Lake NY 12983, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Adirondacks & North Country, and in the Champlain Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Making History in Saranac Lake (approx. half a mile away); Wilderness Lady
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 4, 2026
3. Protecting the Natural Beauty of the Region Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 3. submitted on August 6, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Better close-up picture • Can you help?
