Vintage Postcard: Gem of the Lake

"Essex on Lake Champlain. Gem of the Lake, NY" [Cowan. Photo] — “Essex on Lake Champlain. Gem of the Lake, NY” [Cowan. Photo] (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

Each Monday we share an Essex photo or artifact on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Have you ever seen this vintage postcard before? Do you recognize either of the boats in the photo? Do you know what has happened to them or where they are now?

Here’s what we’ve heard about them so far:

Dianne Lansing: I can tell that they are sailboats!!!

George Davis: Judging from the design of the wooden sailboats and the quality/age of the photograph, this appears to have been recorded early in the century. Perhaps these vessels are still afloat somewhere on Lake Champlain or beyond?

Take a closer look at the boats in the photo below:

Close up of boats in postcard. "Essex on Lake Champlain. Gem of the Lake, NY" [Cowan. Photo] — Close up of boats in postcard. “Essex on Lake Champlain. Gem of the Lake, NY” [Cowan. Photo] (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

The postcard is titled, “Essex on Lake Champlain. Gem of the Lake, NY.” Perhaps “Gem of the Lake” is the name of one of the boats? Or maybe that phrase is referring to town of Essex as the “gem?” What do you think? Share your thoughts and comments about this postcard 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.

Vintage Photo: Essex Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Old Photo: Essex Parade (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Postcard: St. John’s Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Postcard: James S. Harlan Community Hall (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

About Katie Shepard

Passionate about reading and writing stories, Katie Shepard enjoys discovering more about her home while writing and editing for Essex on Lake Champlain. Katie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 where she studied English literature, philosophy, and Asian studies. Her first book Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide was published in 2015. Connect with her on Facebook or at Linked.in. Or email her at katie [@] essexeditions [dot] com.