Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-30
ChampIain Memorial.

and Vermont for the Champlain ter
centenary celebration OF 1909 have
united to erect permanent memoir
ial to Samuel Champlain at Grown
Point, and have adopted a design
that combines this object with uti-
litarian purpose in the form of a
memorial lighthouse. 1t is the first
time lighthouse has been so de-
signed in this country aud probably
in any country.
The acts of New York and Yer
mont creating the commission for
the celebration provided that part Of
the funds appropriated should be re-
served for the erection of perma-
nent monument The combined com
missions chose the lighthouse reser-
walton at Crown Point as offering
greater advantage than any of the
many available situations about the
lake, 1t lies near the upper or
southern end of the lake, between
Bullawaga hay on the New York side
and the narrow, channel that leads
down from Ticonderoga on the YER
mont side. Though actually,in New
York, it seems. from either shore,
to lie between the two states. 1t is
visible from both shores and from
the railroad and from the lake itself,
for a great distance to the north and
the line of water traffic passes with
in 600 feet of it, ghe lighthouse it.
self is built at the extremity of
Grown Point, on the site of an anc-
lent battery, whose earthworks are
still visible and is not far from the
ruins Of Forts Frederick and Am
herst, dating from 1871 and 1856.
The plan provides for the recon
struction of the present lighthouse
in monumental form. The style is
that of France at the time of Cham
lain, as used in parts of Fontaine-
bleau and other royal hunting
lodges situated in comparatively wild
places. Eight robust columns on a
high base surround the central shaft
and carry a boldly decorated entab-
lature. Above the entablature is a
visitors gallery, separate from the
gallery about the light itself, which
is carried up OH the continuation Of
the stair shaft The whole has
sharply accented silhouette and
strong vertical lines of light and
shade, which. will differentiate it and
make it's monumental character un-
mistakable at any distance at which
it may be seen. p, so i-& 49,
At the front is bronzel statue OF
Champlaip, placed high so as to be
above the trees. On one side Of the
status is an Indian and Oh the other
a courier de bois . just below the
group is prov of a couxentionalizsd
canoe laden with the products of the
country. Broad granite steps lead
from the landing wharf up to the
circular terrace on which the struc:
ture stands, with two pyramidal
memorial obelisks at either side
bearing the armsof New York and
Vermont. 20
The proximity of the old forts and
the popular idea of Cham plain as
constantly engaged in battle would
point to the erection Of a memorial
of a military character and as matt
ter Of fact the forts we're built long
before his time, and his real fame
rests upon his achievements in ex-
ploration and navigation His mill
tary exploits against the Indians
resulted in allying them with the
British against the French and HUI
rons, and contributed to the ultimate
loss of Canada tothe French; so that
these are not so much to be com
memorated as his more peaceful
pursuits; and for this a lighthouse
seems especially well fitted.