French Canadians began arriving as early as the 1850s in Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks to secure employment in the lumbering industry. Some would come as seasonal workers, while others settled there year round, raising families and clearing land for small farms to feed the lumber camp horses as well as family members. Indeed, so sizeable was their presence that on the outskirts of Indian Lake, near John’s Pond, that the area was referred to as “Little Canada.” Many of these French Canadians came to region from Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Consequently, they were undoubtedly experienced in living in dense woods such as those pictured here. Their most difficult challenge, however, came in 1897 when a black diphtheria epidemic swept through the region. Among the victims were two Franco-American children, 14-year old Eliza King (anglicized version of the family name Roy) and her 11-year old stepbrother Peter Savarie. Yet another blow came to the community in 1915 when the State of New York acquired most of the land occupied for decades by Franco-American settlers. (With sincere thanks to Indian Lake Historical Society and historians Wayne Blanchard and Bill Zullo).
