History of Camp Gorham

YMCA of Greater Rochester Camp Gorham is located on Darts Lake near Big Moose, New York. Big Moose Lake runs into Darts Lake through the North Branch of the Moose River,which runs from Darts Lake into Rondaxe Lake.

Darts Lake was originally known as the North Branch of Second Lake as "Bill" Dart began to settle in and establish a hunting camp. He acquired his first title to the property as a squatter. In 1872, William Henry Dart came into the "Northwoods," as the Adirondacks were then called, to try to earn a living as a trapper. He would trap in the winters and guide (guides were called "Sports" in those days) during the other seasons.

In 1879, Bill built a small one-room cabin on the north shore of "Second Lake", which he chose as his base camp. It was a log cabin with cedar bark. That original cabin is the main section of what is now Gorham Cottage. As his guide business grew, the need for more living space became apparent. In 1887, he built a large two-story cabin for a family from Boston. It had two large porches (one on each level). It eventually became called Double Decker Cottage. It was located in the space between Hemlock and Laurel Cottage. At first the cottages were named after the people they were built for. Eventually, most were named after trees.

1888 was an important year in the history of Darts Lake. Bill Dart married Mary Kronmilleron July 9th. Mary moved to Darts Lake and not only became his wife, but also his business partner. They began building additional cottages for families who came and stayed for the summer. This was the beginning of Darts Camp Resort.

Supplies and people came into Darts by boat and foot: by boat from Old Forge to Fourth Lake, by foot to Bubs Lake, then to Moss Lake and over the end of "South" Mountain to Darts. In 1892, the railroad came into the area. Guests could come by train to Big Moose Station. They would then take a wagon to the north end of Big Moose Lake and a boat to Darts Landing (now called Higby Landing) at the south end of Big Moose Lake. From there they would again take a wagon to Darts Camp. Also in 1892, Bill purchased the deed for the rest of the land all the way around the lake from Dr. Seward Webb.

In 1896, Mary and Bill's daughter Emma L. Dart (Lesure) was born. As business grew, more and more cottages and buildings were constructed. The first children's camp was run in 1927 as a boys' camp. This was run in conjunction with the resort. The boys' camp ceased operation in 1933. The Dart Family (including daughter Emma and her husband) continued to operate Darts Camp Resort through the end of the summer on 1943. Mary Dart passed away on March 17, 1932. Bill Dart passed away in July 19 1934. Emma Dart Lesure and her family ran the resort after her parent's deaths. In 1943, George Longstaff purchased Darts Camp and ran it as the Darts Lake Club.

In 1960, it was sold to the YMCA of Greater Rochester. Jack Gorham, a resident of Rochester, played a prominent role in making it possible for the YMCA to make the purchase. Camp Gorham was named in honor of Jack and his wife, Irene. During the summer of 1961, a group of young men that were called "Campmakers," led by "Barney" Barnum, the first camp Ranger, and Weldon Hestor, Director of Camping Services, worked to prepare the property and facilities for use as a boys' camp.

The summer of 1962 marked the first season for Camp Gorham of the YMCA of Greater Rochester. In 1963, a Family Camp program was started during the week following the conclusion of the boys' camp. In 1976, girls became a part of the full summer camp program. Youth and families can now enjoy this beautiful Adirondack camp setting year-round.

Written by John Steinbrenner - Former Camp Director of Camp Gorham