Gateway to the Adirondacks
Frontier Town Project

In Fall 2018, we completed a project we were very proud to be a part of.

Located just eight miles from our shop in Schroon Lake, the former Frontier Town theme park has been decaying into the North Hudson woods for the last two decades, since the site closed in 1998. When we heard the state was investing money to turn the land into a Gateway to the Adirondacks campground, day use area, and equestrian center, we wanted to be involved in its rebirth.

We were fortunate to be hired by Luck Brothers (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) to build the custom log gate welcoming visitors to the new campground. More than 59 feet wide by 22 feet tall, the gate is designed to look like the original Frontier Town stockade. After getting in contact with Luck Brothers, which oversaw the entire project, in February 2018, we spent months finding the logs needed for such an undertaking. Two 21-foot, 28-inch-diameter logs became the main posts, and another 87 logs were cut and hand-peeled (as we always do!) for the rest of the gate.

In August, preparation work began in earnest, but only so much could be done before we stepped foot on the new site Sept. 19. Luck Brothers did a fantastic job carving the new campground out of the woods, clearing land, making trails, hanging signs, and laying rock, stone, gravel, and sod. We got to see the area almost completely finished as we brought in the logs and got ready to go. Then, from Sept. 20-29, it was a dash to the finish, as the goal was to open the campground right before Columbus Day weekend, with a soft open and ribbon cutting Oct. 4.

With that time frame corresponding with much of the rainfall the Adirondacks received in months, we had our work cut out for us. We attached cedar boards to the premade steel frame. The large logs went up first with the aid of two telehandlers. Then it was time to trim, notch, stain, and assemble the rest. Numerous coffee deliveries later, we swept the sawdust and called it done. The project took the three of us (owner Scott and craftsmen Jarrod and Bob) nine days working 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. We put on the finishing touches just before the new Frontier Town sign went up, and a few days before state lawmakers, town leaders, and community members came to the site to celebrate its opening.

We are honored to be part of such a beautiful project that will bring new life to this region. While we work with logs to design products and upgrade houses for customers anywhere from Michigan to Connecticut, making such a massive, unique gate this close to home was special for us. We are grateful to have had a chance to work on it, yet we’re also pleased now to be punching out earlier than dusk with our clothes still dry!

Drive on up to North Hudson and take a look at the new campground. It is a gorgeous place, and we hope you’ll enjoy passing through the entrance gate on your way in, too.

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