The Rustic Stone Fireplace... Amazing Adirondack Designs!
The rustic stone fireplace designs featured here are the focal points of a treasure-trove of Adirondack
retreats. Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountain region of Upstate New York, these extraordinary examples
span a period of more than a century.
Though monumental in scale, their rugged surrounds and crackling fires epitomize the "cozy and comfortable"
stone hearth. Oozing with welcom- ing warmth, they provide a perfect spot for family and friends to gather
around!
The late 1860s ushered in the era of what has come to be known as Adirondack Great Camp architecture.
Sprawling wilderness compounds consisting of numerous rustic buildings were built for wealthy American capitalists
-- a practice that would continue, uninterrupted, for more than 60 years.
Dotting the Adirondack Mountain region's lush green forests and shore- lines along its pristine lakes, streams and
rivers, the
Great Camps
fea- tured picturesque buildings crafted from a variety of natural materials such as native stone. In addition to
hand-hewn logs -- both peeled and unpeeled (with bark left on) -- Adirondack siding options included wood- en
shingles, tree bark, wavy wood, and board and batten . . . to provide contrast and texture. Tree branches and
twigs were frequently used on porches and gables to further enhance the rustic look and feel.
"Zigfield Lodge," pictured above, was built for investment banker and philanthropist Jules Bache (1861-1944)
The two rustic stone fireplaces that follow are at Great Camp Sagamore Lodge . . . . . a rustic retreat
built in 1895-1897 by camp designer and de- veloper William West Durant. Pur- chased by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt
in 1900,
Sagamore Camp
was sub- sequently expanded and enhanced. Designated a National Historic Land- mark in May, 2000, it is currently
open to the public.
The majestic stone fireplace pictured at right is located in the compound's "Playhouse." Pictured below is one
of the historic main lodge's stone sur- rounds.
The quaint and cozy room that follows is part of "Camp Moss Rock," de- signed in the 1930s by architect William
Distin. Anchoring the room is a large rustic stone fireplace surround with a timber mantel shelf supported by
wooden corbels.
The monumental "walk-in" fireplace pictured below is one of two massive stone hearths at opposite ends of an
equally monumental living room in the main lodge at "Camp Topridge." Constructed in the 1920s for cereal heiress
Marjorie Merriweather Post, this 68 building complex is the grande dame of Adirondack Great Camps. It was designed
by architect Theodore Blake, along with master builder Benjamin Muncil.
Following are 2 rustic rock fireplaces at the Lake Placid Lodge, a luxury Adirondack hotel and resort.
Built in 1882 as a private retreat made of stone and shingles with twig-framed porches, it was converted to a
hotel in 1946. However, a disastrous fire in 2005 destroyed the camp. Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, a
stun- ning new Main Lodge was subse- quently built that includes 50 hand- crafted fireplace surrounds.
Pictured above, right, is a beautiful rustic stone hearth that extends from floor to ceiling and features
meticulous detailing. The striking room pictured below includes a cozy corner fireplace and an Adirondack Style
bed cre- ated by local artisans.
Since the 1990s, Adirondack architecture has enjoyed a booming resur- gence of interest. Original Great Camp
buildings are being restored and new structures are frequently springing up.
A soaring rustic stone fireplace anchors the great room of a rambling guest cabin at "Camp John Brown." The
cabin, itself, as well as a variety of ad- ditional picturesque structures in the compound, were designed by Michael
Bird of Adirondack Design. Striking vertical logs line the interior walls . . . capped with a band of horizontally
stacked logs. Piercing that band are several diamond shaped windows -- a trademark of Michael's designs.
The stunning fireplace surround pictured at right almost screams "Adirondack Style!" Beautifully designed and
built using multi- colored granite stones around an arched firebox opening, it fea- tures a rustic birch log mantel
shelf. Rising from mantel shelf to ceiling is a finely crafted over- mantel made of white birch logs and bark.
Photo Credit: Roger Wade Studio
The Adirondack retreat pictured below features a striking wraparound porch with a rustic stone fireplace.
Mimi McMakin of Kemble Interiors, along with her husband, Leigh, designed it as a getaway for their own personal
use. Adding contrast and a splash of color to the stone hearth are comfy overstuffed chairs with scarlet red
upholstery.
Please check back often or subscribe to our
RSS feed, as we frequently add new images of rustic stone fire- places to our site.
