Knollwood
Why it's listed
Knollwood is a summer camp on a knoll above the Oswegatchie River in the Town of Fine, near Star Lake, St. Lawrence County. Dr. Frederic R. Calkins, a Watertown surgeon, bought the land in 1915 and designed and built the camp between 1918 and 1923. The main building is a two-story, cross-gabled structure of whole spruce logs with cement chinking, with screened porches, exposed rafters and wide overhangs, reflecting Adirondack rustic style with Stick and Bungalow touches. A generator/workshop and a 103-foot arched suspension bridge, both built by Calkins, also contribute to the property. A storage shed, outhouse and water tower are later or rebuilt and do not contribute. The interior keeps its original plan, finishes, built-in cabinets and much of its furniture. Knollwood was far smaller than the Adirondack Great Camps, yet it followed the same ideas of a planned site, separate buildings for particular functions and local materials. Its integrity of setting, design and craftsmanship is described as outstanding.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Knollwood as a small-scale example of a private Adirondack camp that follows the principles of camp construction, with separate function-specific buildings built from local materials in a natural setting. It remains virtually intact from its construction and retains an outstanding degree of integrity. It is also tied to its designer-builder, Dr. Calkins, a Watertown surgeon, and includes a 103-foot arched suspension bridge he designed.
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 11001006, listed January 4, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S. end of Inlet Rd. at Oswegatchie R., Star Lake |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | January 4, 2012 |
| Reference number | 11001006 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Dr. Frederic R. Calkins |
| Architectural style | Other: Adirondack Rustic (with elements of Stick and Bungalow styles) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and remaining largely as built in 1918; function remains a summer camp. |
| Acreage | 26.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.12684, -74.95648 (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 11001006.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q137300761
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.