Historic Saranac Lake


Trudeau Sanatorium, Saranac Lake, NY

Trudeau began in 1884 with 16 acres on one of his favorite hunting spots. Little Red was the first of what eventually became 50 buildings. He built cottages because it was easier to raise money for small units rather than one large structure. Once tuberculosis was found to be caused by a microorganism, though, the benefits of having people well-separated turned out to be significant. The American Management Association bought the property after the sanitarium closed in 1954. Twenty-five buildings remain. Six of 30 patient cottages survive; although, they now have their porches enclosed. Each had a central living room, a bathroom and four bedrooms. Each bedroom door had a transom; circulation of fresh air was always a concern.