Library Record
Metadata
Title |
Fulton Navigation Company and Raquette Lake Steamboat journals of Maurice Callahan, 1904-1939 |
Author |
Callahan, Maurice, 1870-1956 |
Year Range from |
1904 |
Year Range to |
1939 |
Object Name |
Journal |
Control Number |
02617 |
Call Number |
MS 61-132 |
Physical Description |
9.29 linear ft. (2 boxes); 49 volumes |
Summary |
Access: Access to this collection is unrestricted. Abstract: Maurice Callahan was the Superintendent and Director of the Fulton Chain and Raquette Lake Navigation Companies from 1903 to the late 1930's. In the winters, to remain profitable, the navigation companies operated as ice harvesting businesses. There are two sets of diaries in the collection. One set of diaries for the Raquette Lake Steamboat Company in Raquette Lake, N.Y., 1904-1930, and the other for the Fulton Navigation Company in Old Forge, N.Y., 1914-1939. The diaries in the collection are primarily an account of the weather and business activities, ice cutting in the winter months and steamboat navigation in the summer months. Catalog Terms: Callahan, Maurice, 1870-1956--Diaries Fulton Navigation Company Raquette Lake Steamboat Company Ice industry--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains--History Steamboat lines--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains Transportation--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains Fulton Chain Lakes (N.Y.) Diaires Biographical Note: Maurice Callahan was a pioneer promoter for the growth and development of the Adirondacks, particularly the Central Adirondacks, where he was the director of steamboat and railroad lines from the 1900's to the 1930's, and also the first and only president of the First National Bank of Old Forge, N.Y., from its inception in 1917, until its merger with Oneida National Bank and Trust Company of Utica in 1955. Maurice Callahan was born in Warren County, New York, to parents Thomas and Ellen Callahan, July 18, 1870. At the age of 19, Callahan became a telegraph operator under William West Durant. In 1903, at the age of 33, Callahan became the Superintendent and Director of the Steamboat lines: Raquette Lake Transportation Company and the Fulton Navigation Company. In the winters, to remain profitable, Callahan operated as ice harvesting business called Callahan and Sperry. "In this capacity as Superintendent of those boat lines, Mr. Callahan became widely known to the great and near-great who visited these resort regions as "Captain Callahan." He was a friendly and engaging personality," as recalled in the newspaper, Adirondack Echo, January 27, 1956. Callahan operated the railroad lines, the Fulton Chain Railroad and the Raquette Lake Railway Co., concurrently with the steamboat lines, while also creating the First National Bank of Old Forge, N.Y. in 1917. As the railroad and steamboat lines succumbed to greater infrastructure in the Adirondacks as the result of the increased use of the automobile, Callahan's employment with the navigation companies came to a close; however, he remained with the First National Bank of Old Forge until he retired at the age of 84. After a year-long battle with illness, Maurice Callahan died at his home, January 22, 1956. Scope and Content Note: There are two sets of diaries in the collection, primarily accounting for weather and daily activities of each of the steamboat lines. One set of diaries for the Raquette Lake Steamboat Company in Raquette Lake, N.Y., 1904-1930, and the other for the Fulton Navigation Company in Old Forge, N.Y., 1914-1939. Each set of diaries are organized chronologically. The Raquette Lake Steamboat Company diaries are missing the years 1908 and 1926. The Fulton Navigation Company is missing the diaries from 1922 and 1934. Container List: Box 1Diaries for the Fulton Navigation Company [1914-1917] 2Diaries for the Fulton Navigation Company [1918-1921] Diaries for the Fulton Navigation Company [1923-1939] Diaries for the Raquette Lake Steamboat Company [1904-1930] |
Search Terms |
Callahan, Maurice, 1870-1956--Diaries.; Fulton Navigation Company.; Raquette Lake Steamboat Company.; Ice industry--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains--History.; Steamboat lines--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains.; Transportation--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains.; Fulton Chain Lakes (N.Y.); |
Collection |
Adirondack Experience Library |
Credit line |
Gift of Maurice Callahan, Jr. |