Where in the ADK? Saranac Civil War Monument
Find this Monument to Great Deeds in the Wilds of the Northeastern Adirondacks.
This week's "Where in the ADK" is located in the small town of Saranac, sometimes referred to as Saranac Hollow. The town is approximately 20 miles west of Plattsburgh and should not be mistaken for Saranac Lake.
Despite its compact size, Saranac made significant sacrifices during the Civil War, which led to the construction of a 40-foot monument in honor of the town's veterans.
A remarkable monument for an Adirondack town’s noteworthy sacrifice.
Saranac’s Civil War monument is impressive, not only because it honors the soldiers who served in the Civil War but also because it recognizes the entire community's contribution to the war effort.
Saranac sent almost four times the town’s draft quota to the Union Army during the Civil War, with 419 men serving in the 16th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (the regiment for soldiers from the Adirondacks and upstate New York). It was a significant portion of the able-bodied male population to be absent from a rural farming community.
Each of the monument’s four sides portrays significant Civil War battles in which the soldiers participated. The monument also features the names of the soldiers who lost their lives, along with their cause of death. Forty soldiers succumbed to disease, 19 died in battle, and 12 perished in captivity.
Honoring Saranac’s role in capturing John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln’s assassin.
The monument also honors five Saranac men who applied to be part of a crackerjack team known as LIncoln’s Avengers. In the grim hours following the murder of one of the greatest American Presidents in 1865, a call was sent out for 25 soldiers to form an elite detachment to hunt down Booth. Five of the squad chosen were from Saranac.
Pvt. Godfrey Hoyt, Pvt. David Baker, Pvt. Martin Kelly, Pvt. Lewis Savage and his cousin, Pvt. Abram Snay helped to corner Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, at Richard Henry Garrett’s tobacco barn near Port Royal, Virginia.
Another member of the 16th, Pvt. Boston Corbet, fatally shot Booth through a barn slat. Ironically, the bullet hit Booth in the back of the head, just an inch below where he shot Lincoln. Lincoln’s Avengers then watched as flames engulfed the tobacco barn. David Herold surrendered to Union forces.
According to reports, all five of the Saranac Avengers came back and settled around their hometown. Three attended the monument’s dedication ceremony on Memorial Day in 1888.
The monument stands 40’ tall with its unique white zinc (white bronze) castings, with the “Saranac Soldier” standing on top, high above the other headstones in Saranac’s Independence Cemetery. Each of the four sides is dedicated to major Civil War battles: Drury’s Bluff, Gettysburg, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
Visit the monument at the Independence Cemetery on McCutcheon Lane, located off Route 3 in Saranac.
Play our weekly Adirondack scavenger hunt.
"Where in the ADK?" is our virtual scavenger hunt. On Wednesdays, we post a picture of a place in the Adirondacks on Instagram and Facebook and invite our followers to guess where it is or, better yet, visit. It's a great way to discover new and noteworthy places in the Adirondacks. Follow us and play along.
Previous “Where in the ADK?” Challenges
It’s time to play “Where in the ADK?” Our virtual Adirondack scavenger hunt.
It’s time to play “Where in the ADK?” Our virtual Adirondack scavenger hunt.
Play our virtual scavenger hunt to win this week’s prize.
Play our virtual scavenger hunt and win this week's prize.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” contest takes us to the Western edge of the Central Adirondack Park. Do you know where in the ADK?
This week’s puzzle comes from Lake Placid in the Adirondack Park’s Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region. Play our virtual scavenger hunt to win this week's prize.
Do you think you know where this is in the ADK? Go on our virtual scavenger hunt.
This week's "Where in the ADK?" is a one-of-a-kind roadside attraction built with love and care.
Fuhgeddaboudit Madison County; we’ve got our own covered bridges.
This week’s virtual scavenger hunt takes us to Saranac Lake, New York. Do you know this location?
Visit this spot to brighten your Adirondack winter nights.
Visit this spot in the Adirondacks and recreate Olympic history.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is an artists' retreat on a famous Adirondack lake.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” can be found in a small town in the northeastern Adirondacks that made significant contributions to the Civil War.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from the scene of an embattled area in the Adirondack’s Southern Foothills.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is the only facility of its kind in the Adirondacks.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is s site recognizing a prominent Adirondack resident who dedicated his life in service to his community. Do you know where in the ADK?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is the site for agricultural displays, horse races, games of chance, pie contests, merchants and food vendors since the late 1800s. Do you know where in the ADK?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from one the Adirondacks oldest natural attractions in the US. It is a magnificent sandstone gorge cut by a river in the northeast Adirondacks. Do you know where in the ADK?
Today’s “Where in the ADK” is from Cooper’s Cave in Glens Falls. This site was the inspiration for the great American novel, “Last of the Mohicans.”
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” has historical, societal, and architectural significance to the Adirondacks.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” serves the arts, travel and commerce in the ADK. Do you know where it is?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is appropriate celebrating Independence Day. That hint may make it easier to guess where it is, but do you know what it is?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” combines art and nature in the heart of a charming and popular village on the shores of a world-famous lake.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from a once hidden gem in the Central Adirondacks. It’s a beautiful place with a funny name between Indian Lake and North River. Do you know where in the ADK?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from the Tri-Lakes & High Peaks region of the ADK. Open for business only during summer months.
Is this week’s “Where in the ADK?” are we on Cape Cod or the rocky shores of Bar Harbor? Here’s a hint: it’s the last lighthouse built in the ADK. Do you know where?
Is this week’s “Where in the ADK?” from inside the Blue Line or are we touring the ruins of ancient castles in Scotland?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” holds back 6.8 billion gallons of water. Do you know where this is?
While You’re in Saranac check out these other places.
Famers’ Markets are back. With over 60 markets in the Adirondacks, one is undoubtedly in your neck of the woods. Find out what makes our markets special.
Leaf peeping isn’t just for the fall; it takes on a new meaning in upstate New York’s Adirondack Park in the spring.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” can be found in a small town in the northeastern Adirondacks that made significant contributions to the Civil War.
A small but mighty diversified farm on the Boquet River also makes incredible breads, bagels, pizza, pasta and more.
A local-favorite brewery which has risen to new heights and standards with their new location.
Visit this amazing gorge in the Adirondacks. Open year-round, there is always something to see and enjoy at Au Sable River Chasm.
The Adirondack Park is filled with tales of otherworldly figures and strange occurrences.
Excellent libations with tasty food situated in one of the ADK’s most historically rich areas.
Treat yourself to locally-made, unique, hand-crafted, beautiful works of art, or select a special gift.
Experience first-rate theater in an historic location on the shores of Lake Champlain in Westport, NY.
Row your boat over to Valcour Island near Plattsburgh to visit Bluff Point LIghthouse, Lake Champlain’s last lighthouse.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is a pedestrian bridge on the Ausable River. Do you know where?
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is from historic Essex, NY, on Lake Champlain and the ADK Coast.