How Skiing Came to North Creek
The 100th Anniversary of the Snow Train is approaching on March 4, 2034.
With thanks to several authors who have contributed their works,
we’re curating an expanded print-on-demand book
with the Warren County Historical Society.
We’re interviewing North Creek residents with stories to tell about the 30s, 40s and 50s. We’re also assembling photos and films for a documentary we think the History Channel or
American Experience should stream in ten years.
At any rate, if there’s a part of the story you’d like to add to the accounts our co-authors have already written, please drop me a note below. Thanks!
Or perhaps we’ll produce it in Sora if it in a decade it becomes that powerful. Some say it will.
- Dan Forbush
People We’d Like to Say More About
The story of how skiing came to North Creek is full of interesting people we’d like to say more about in our centennial edition. Please connect if you know the stories of any of the following:
Guy and Gordon Alexander: Played major role in installing the first rope tow
C.R. Barton: Allowed Barton Mines property to be used for ski trails with no concern about liability
Dan Baroudi: Operated Carl Schaefer’s rope tow
Kenneth Bennett: Led the American Legion effort to turn logging roads into ski trails
Adam Gimbel: President of Saks Fifth Avenue who promoted skiing at Gore
Burt (Bucky) Burns and Emmett Higgins: Installed a longer and more powerful rope tow after Carl Schaefer’s
Robert Cromie: Joined Vince Schaefer on first meeting Kenneth Bennett about trail-building
Barron Fitzgerald: Named Vice President of Gore Mountain Ski Lift Corporation when Butler Cunningham became president
Dr. Jimmy Glenn: Invented stabilizer for broken legs and ankles
George Gregory: Owned the American Tavern, a favorite among skiers. Named VP of Ski Lift Corporation.
Dot Hoyt (Nobel): Made U.S. Olympic Ski Team in 1940. Ran Ski School.
Father James McMahon: Pastor of St. James Church who donated “Village Slopes” to the community
Joe Minder: A war hero who began skiing in 1924 at age 7 when his teacher lent him skis
Ralph Montello: Started the Backwoods Club
Gene Morehouse: Assisted Carl Schaefer in establishing first rope tow
John Ordway: Drove skiers to start of trails in his “open taxi”
Kenneth Swain: First President of the Gore Mountain Ski Lift Corporation
Charles Wade: Built three sled ambulances and “sled sheds” for the Ski Patrol
Key References
By Dan O’Keeffe and Mary Cunningham Moro
By Norman Dibelius
Please Add to our Story. Drop Me a Note.
No need to say a lot here. I’d just like to connect and take it from there. Thanks.