“There will be memories and friends. Memories that will bring you added pleasure in contemplation or in conversation. Memories that will create a desire to go back the following year to vacation again at Totem. And friends—What greater reward can one hope to acquire on a vacation than good wholesome friendships—in good taste, and of the better kind?”
-“Memories and Friends” Totem Lodge Advertisement It is easy enough to miss the small dirt road jutting off of Totem Lodge Road. Long stalks of grass grow in tangles, and small trees have begun to sprout. The road has been reclaimed by the natural world. A little further down, the outline of the road becomes clearer. Tall stands of white pines stretch on either side and deep ruts sit in the middle of the marshy ground. The road veers sharply along the lake, and an old rusted fence stands unevenly along the lakefront. The path is narrow and covered in old leaves from years of autumns. A little further along, gray cement pokes out of the ground. Stony stairs lead down to the lake. A thousand sets of feet have trod up these steps. Children have run along the metal fence, shrieking and laughing. Famous musicians’ music once floated through the woods. Totem Lodge Road was once crowded with colorful automobiles, seeking a break from the rush of Albany or New York City. Totem Lodge was a beautiful Catskill-style resort, a respite for the elite. Small bungalows once dotted the land and paths crisscrossed where trees now stand. The Lodge closed approximately sixty years ago, but elements of the stairs, pool, basketball court, tennis court, and fire pond remain. Old foundations jut from the ground and serve as faint reminders of the land’s deep history. -- My name is Andrea Lurski. I have been fascinated by the story of Totem Lodge since I started visiting family in the area during the winter of 2004. At the time, I was about ten years old. I am now a senior at The College of New Jersey studying to become an elementary school teacher. My interest in Totem Lodge stems from a deep love of historical sites. Walking through old houses and along defunct roads is my method of time-travel. The Burden Lake area is rife with old historical markers. Totem Lodge represents only a small fraction of the history held in this land. I was tasked as part of my Teaching Social Studies class to conduct an oral history interview. I saw this as my golden opportunity to begin something bigger. There are not many resources online providing information about Totem Lodge, and I felt that the preservation of such a delicate history was a noble undertaking. I have been fascinated by this land for eleven years, and it is time I finally produced an effort to show for it. This website offers historical details, an interview, and photos of a land which time has forgotten. I hope you will enjoy this information nearly as much as I have! |
|