Moss Ledge
Why it's listed
Moss Ledge is an Adirondack Great Camp on a rocky rise above the west shore of Upper Saranac Lake in Franklin County. Built from about 1898 for Isabel A. Ballantine of New York City, it was designed by Saranac Lake architect William L. Coulter. The complex includes nine historic features: a chalet-style main lodge called Redfield Lodge, a dining hall, a guest camp, a covered walkway, a pump house, a gazebo, a woodshed, a garage and a former hunting shanty used for staff. The camp was first reached only by boat, and its buildings face the lake. Half-round spruce slabs imitate whole-log walls, and bark-clad trim, pole gable screens and birch bark interiors add rustic detail. The main lodge was modeled on the chalet at Pine Knot, designed by William West Durant. Additions made between 1915 and 1920, including a road and garage, fall within the period of significance. The camp is valued as an intact example of Coulter's early camp work.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Moss Ledge is an intact, representative Great Camp in the Upper Saranac Lake area and one of the earliest surviving examples of Coulter's work. Its chalet-style main lodge was directly inspired by William West Durant's chalet at Pine Knot, and the camp reflects Durant's precedents of the chalet form, compound plan and covered rustic walkway. It also shows Coulter's use of simulated log construction and rustic ornament.
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 86002942, listed November 7, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off NY 30, Upper Saranac Lake, Saranac Inn |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 7, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002942 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-1920 |
| Architect / builder | William L. Coulter |
| Architectural style | Adirondack rustic Great Camp (chalet style main lodge) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; principal buildings survive with many original features, though the main boathouse and dock, camp kitchen and servants' quarters have been removed. |
| Acreage | 31.1 |
| Within district | New York Central Railroad Adirondack Division Historic District |
| Coordinates | 44.28235, -74.33455 (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 86002942.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6916583
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.