Camp Topridge
Why it's listed
Camp Topridge is an Adirondack Great Camp in Franklin County, New York, spread along a steep ridge that separates the Spectacle Ponds from Upper St. Regis Lake. The complex holds 45 buildings and structures on 105 acres, and 36 of them date from the historic period. Visitors once arrived by boat at an elaborate rustic boathouse, then climbed to the main camp by electric tram lift or a cobblestone stair. At the top stand a large log-framed lodge, two guest houses, special-purpose cottages and a service area of staff housing and workshops. Marjorie Merriweather Post had an earlier camp rebuilt from 1923 to designs by Theodore Blake of Carrere and Hastings. The camp is notable as a late, lavish example of the Great Camp type. Its clapboard buildings carry rustic trim made from tree trunks, burls and natural curves, and the lodge interiors feature polished logs, birch bark walls and large stone fireplaces. The camp largely retains its appearance from about 1935.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of the last phase of Great Camp design in the early twentieth century. It was redesigned by Theodore Blake for Marjorie Merriweather Post and is described as the latest and most opulent of the Great Camps. Its elaborate rustic exterior detailing and its lodge interiors are described as the most architecturally dramatic of any Great Camp.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002952, listed November 7, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Keese Mills Rd., Upper St. Regis Lake, Keese Hill |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 7, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002952 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1923-1936 |
| Architect / builder | Theodore Blake |
| Architectural style | Adirondack Great Camp; rustic architecture |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; privately owned and used as a private residence. The camp is reported to retain the integrity of about 1935, with a few post-1973 alterations. |
| Acreage | 105 |
| Coordinates | 44.42100, -74.30224 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002952.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2561461
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.