Every Monday we share an image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia.

This time it was another old postcard, but it showcases a site we’ve never featured before! The title on the postcard reads: “Hillcrest Cabins, One Mile South of Essex, NY on Route 22.”

When do you think this photo was taken? Do you recognize the location? What can you tell us about it? What is it like today? Have any memories to share?

This postcard generated a lot of conversation on Facebook. Take a look at the comments and conversation below:

Gary Berg: Love the old gas pumps.

Dwayne Cross Jr.: Way before me time, but that’s out to the Terrace, many weekends at JJs back in the day. LOL!

Tina K Wright: Great picture. Yes, 4 corners. Ethel Palmer Hathaway’s father moved a few to Willsboro and they were the original Ethel’s as well he moved some to his place in Whallonsburgh on Angier Hill Road and he raised lovely Collies in them. I believe just the one to the left and another smaller one to the right remain on site.

Tod Crouter: Are there still Hathaways in Essex? We used to get eggs and baked goods from Mrs. Hathaway on Lakeshore Road in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Tina K Wright: Not sure, Ethel’s husband Marshall was from Willsboro.

Tod Crouter: Tina, Oh…yes…my memory is a house closer to Willsboro on the lake side of the road.

Tina K Wright: I believe one of the old historic calendars had a photo of it, Tod.

Mary S Houston: I remember Ada’s! She was great with her banjo!

Tina K Wright: I think it was 1973 or 1974 when the cabins were moved. Ethel’s in Willsboro opened I believe in 1974.

Tina K Wright: Chasity Jacques, I apologize what was your Grandpa Palmer’s first name and does Ethel maybe recall what year he moved the cabins to Willsboro for the original Ethel’s? Thank you.

Chasity Jacques: His first name was Harry. I’m seeing Ethel in a little bit I’ll ask her…She said it was 1974. She said she used three of them for the original Dew Drop.

Tina K Wright: Great…thank you! Mystery solved 😀

Dwayne Cross Jr.: Wonder if that’s before they dug out the four corners there?

Tina K Wright: I think it coincided. The digging out split the lot. The water for the property is actually East of Middle Road or at least it used to be.

Dwayne Cross Jr.: I remember seeing a well cap out back tho, Tina.

Tina K Wright: Maybe it’s the septic that’s over on the other lot. My brain not spot on anymore..lol

I didn’t actually recognize the site myself, as someone else mentioned it was before my time. Yet, if the commentators are correct “Hillcrest Cabins” were once at the site of what is the 4-corners on Route 22 today. Most of the buildings were removed for other uses, although some may remain as part of the current property (that is now the closed down restaurant – from my memories that was the last occupation that the building at the site housed. Can anyone confirm?).

Below you can see the back of the postcard. It was never used so there is no message or postage to help us date the artifact. Although the text along the center does tell us who created the postcard: “Artvue Post Card Co., 225 Fifth Avenue New York, NY.” If you’re interested in some history of that building in NYC click here — the Artvue company is only briefly mentioned as being there in 1918.

Given that the company was active in 1918 and the Hillcrest Cabins weren’t removed from their location in the photograph until 1974 that dates the photo to some time between 1918 and 1974 — although it’s likely closer to the latter end of that date range.

Do you have anything else to share? Please leave a comment below!

Share Your Essex Artifacts

If you want to share your old photos of Essex (or brochures; postcards; menus; tickets; any artifact) on the blog please email us at editor [AT] essexonlakechamplain [DOT] com.

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