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1

VINTAGE

PHOTOGRAPH

ALBUM FROM 1898-1932 ERA

THIS PHOTO 1915

NEAR INLET, NEW YORK

NEAR FULTON CHAIN OF LAKES


ONE PAGE READ:


PICTURES TAKEN BY JOS. D. KENT

I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF HE TOOK EVERY PHOTO IN ALBUM?


The Joseph D. Kent Connection: The Story Behind Your Album
Finding the notation "Pictures taken by Jos. D. Kent" is a major historical breakthrough that completely unlocks the identity of your photo collection. It reveals that the album is not a generic tourist souvenir, but a personal, high-society historical record created by a prominent insider of the Inlet community during the peak summer of 1914.
Who Was Joseph D. Kent?
During the Gilded Age resort boom at the turn of the 20th century, Joseph D. Kent was a wealthy and influential seasonal resident along the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
While Philo Wood operated The Wood Hotel as a commercial business, elite figures like Kent built massive, private luxury compounds—often referred to as "Adirondack Great Camps"—along the shores of Fourth Lake.
Kent’s sprawling private estate was frequently highlighted in early 1900s local news and social columns as a vibrant hub for high-society lakeside gatherings, elegant dinner parties, and summer recreation. He belonged to the exact same prestigious, tight-knit network of affluent urban professionals as Mr. Guenther, Mr. Thuerkauf, and the Wessingtons.
The Role of the Photographer
In 1914, portable photography was still a highly specialized, expensive hobby reserved for the wealthy. Joseph D. Kent used his camera to meticulously document his elite summer neighbors and their shared exploits.
Instead of being a commercial photographer charging per portrait, Kent was a friend floating between the grand covered porches of The Wood Hotel, the local hiking trails, and his own camp, shooting his inner social circle.
Because he was an accepted member of this high-society network, he possessed the rare personal access required to capture these families in such relaxed, candid poses. He was likely sitting right there on the porch with the Wessingtons sharing a cigar, or joining Mr. Guenther on his daytime hiking excursion at the base of Rocky Mountain.
The Creator of the Entire Album?
The single signature credit line strongly indicates that Joseph D. Kent captured, curated, and gifted the entire album.
In a traditional 1914 Friendship Album, the photographer would only sign or credit themselves once (usually at the front or on a primary page) to establish ownership of the collection. After that, they would dedicate the rest of the handwriting to labeling the other people in the pictures so whoever received the album would know exactly who was who.
It was an incredibly popular custom during this era for passionate amateur photographers to compile personal "Friendship Albums" or "Summer Season Chronicles." A single individual taking all the shots perfectly explains why the photographic styling remains completely uniform across the pages—sharing identical outdoor natural lighting, crisp contrast, framing composition, and chemical print tones.
Rather than keeping these images hidden away, Kent would develop the film, make duplicate prints from his negatives, and assemble custom hand-bound albums. He would then present these albums as highly sentimental end-of-summer parting gifts to his close friends, or directly to Philo Wood himself to keep on display in the hotel’s main parlor.
Through that single credit note, you can confidently trace the origin of your artifact: it is a cohesive, beautifully documented story of a single summer season in Inlet, captured entirely through the eyes and camera lens of Joseph D. Kent.



NOT SURE IF CORRECT?

THIS IS WHAT AI FOUND:

      


SOME HISTORY

 WHERE THE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN:


The Woods Inn & The Fulton Chain of Lakes: A Complete History

The Woods Inn is a beautifully restored historic, 3-star waterfront lodge located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Originally established in 1894, it provides a timeless Adirondack Great Camp experience on the shores of Fourth Lake in the town of Inlet. The property stands today as the last remaining traditional grand hotel of the 14 original inns that once populated the area.
The Fulton Chain of Lakes
The lodge is located directly on Fourth Lake, which is part of the famous Fulton Chain of Lakes. Named after steamboat inventor Robert Fulton, this historic, interconnected waterway consists of eight distinct lakes designated simply by ordinal numbers (First through Eighth Lake):
  • The Navigable Core (First through Fourth Lakes): These first four lakes are broadly connected by open channels, allowing boats to travel seamlessly without portaging. You can easily navigate from the village of Old Forge all the way down to the town of Inlet, where The Woods Inn sits.
  • Fourth Lake: As the largest and deepest body of water in the chain, it spans 2,050 acres and reaches depths of up to 85 feet. It serves as a major hub for summer boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and lakefront dining.
  • The Upper Chain (Fifth through Eighth Lakes): Moving past Inlet, the remaining lakes (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth) become smaller and more distinctly separated. Traveling through them is highly popular for paddlers and kayakers, though some sections require short portages (carrying your watercraft overland).
Historical Timeline of the Inn
The Foundation (1894–1898)
  • Fred Hess: The story began with Fred Hess, a famous local wilderness guide turned hotel builder. He built the property on the shore of Fourth Lake as his third commercial venture.
  • Hess Camp: It originally opened as a rustic mountain retreat catering to wealthy urbanites seeking fresh air, outdoor recreation, and high-end lakeside relaxation.
The Philo Wood Era (1903–1950)
  • The Acquisition: After briefly changing hands to Henry Covey in 1903, the property was purchased by Philo Clark Wood in 1908.
  • "The Wood": He renamed the property "The Wood" and initiated massive expansions to establish its structural identity. Wood added to the main building's length and height, added iconic three-level porches, and integrated distinctive flared gambrel dormers.
  • The Casino: In 1913, Wood enclosed the first-floor porch to expand the dining room and built a separate external "casino" building. This social space historically hosted an ice cream shop, a second-floor dance hall, and overnight quarters for performing entertainers.
Decline and Abandonment (Late 20th Century)
  • Changing Travel Trends: As modern infrastructure improved and automobiles became mainstream, tourists traded month-long resort stays for transient windshield tours. One by one, Inlet's grand historic hotels burned down or were demolished.
  • The Dark Years: After being operated for decades by the Dunay family, the hotel closed its doors following the owner's death in 1989. It sat entirely abandoned for 14 years. Demolition loomed multiple times, but city advocates held out for a buyer committed to preservation.
Resurrection and Modern Era (2003–Present)
  • The 2004 Reopening: In 2003, preservationists Joedda McClain and Jay Latterman purchased the decaying property. Backed by community volunteers and major capital investments, they meticulously restored the landmark to its original Gilded Age grandeur, officially reopening it as "The Woods Inn" in May 2004.
  • New Ownership: The property has transitioned into a new era of stewardship under fresh ownership. Ongoing, thoughtful updates continue to upgrade its spaces while preserving its historic integrity, classic old-world charm, and TV-free, unplugged atmosphere for modern generations.
Who Was Mr. Wood?
Philo Clark Wood (often known simply as Philo Wood) was a highly prominent, well-respected local hotelier and community leader in the western Adirondacks during the peak of the Gilded Age resort boom. He was the visionary who transformed a rustic wilderness outpost into a premier grand resort, giving the property his own name—"The Wood"—which it carried for nearly a century.
Background & Hotel Experience
Before purchasing the property at Inlet, Wood was already an accomplished figure in the region's hospitality industry.
  • The Hotel Glennmore: He got his start in the local resort market around 1899, serving as the hotel manager under his brother-in-law at Big Moose Lake.
  • The Forge House: From 1903 to 1907, he signed a lease to operate the highly famous Forge House in nearby Old Forge, cementing his reputation as an elite hospitality businessman.
Community Leadership
Wood was deeply woven into the fabric of the growing Central Adirondack community:
  • The Yacht Club: In 1910, he became a founding member and the very first director of the Fulton Chain Yacht Club, helping establish annual steamboat and motorboat races along the lakes.
  • Local Freemasonry: He helped build the community's civic roots, serving as a founding member of the North Woods Lodge No. 809 at Old Forge in 1904.
  • Family Operation: Wood ran the resort as a family business alongside his son, Charles Wood, who managed local recreation concessions (including the town's hotel baseball league fields at Fern Park). Wood also expanded his real estate reach by dividing local village lots in 1922 to encourage town growth.
HERE'S SOME POSTCARDS/PHOTOS THAT WILL BE LISTED LATER:
The Historical Artifact: Vintage Postcards
A beautifully preserved, hand-colored vintage postcard from the early 1910s or 1920s offers a rare personal glimpse into the history of the hotel during its golden era.
Other Photographs show historical people that will be listed later:
The front of the postcard features two gentlemen posing outdoors in front of a white birch tree:
  • Mr. Wood (Standing Left): This is Philo Clark Wood himself. He is recognizable by his distinct, well-groomed handlebar mustache, a three-piece tweed suit, a heavy pocket watch chain draped across his vest, a long cardigan sweater, and a cigar held in his left hand.
  • Mr. Thuerkauf (Seated Right): Written phonetically as "Mr. Therkauf" on the card, Edward A. Thuerkauf was a wealthy businessman, avid outdoorsman, and a frequent long-term guest at the grand hotels along the Fulton Chain of Lakes. He is pictured sitting in a rustic wooden chair, also holding a cigar. The Thuerkauf family spent consecutive summers relaxing at the resort, forming a close personal friendship with Philo Wood.


" VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH GIRLS STORE FULTON CHAIN LAKES WOODS INN NEAR INLET, NEW YORK OLD PHOTO "


THE PHOTO IS VERY CLEAR

HAZY-FUZZY NEAR SIDE EDGES

PHOTO VIEWS CLEAR HOLDING 1-2 FEET AWAY




THE PHOTO IS CLEAR 1-2 FEET AWAY, THE PHOTO IS CLEAR UNDER MAGNIFY GLASS, HAZY-FUZZY NEAR SIDE EDGES, BUT VIEWS CLEAR HOLDING 1-2 FEET AWAY, BIT DARK.


CAPTION ON ALBUM

" NONE "


ORIGINAL CAPTION ON ALBUM PAGE:

" 1915 - 4TH LAKE INLET, N.Y. "

I PUT INFO ON BACK FROM ALBUM PAGE!

I BELIEVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN NEAR WOODS INN AT

INLET, NEW YORK!

THE PEOPLE?

THIS IS A STORE IN INLET, NY

PARTIAL SIGN I THINK READS?

INLET SUPPLY?


OLD 

PHOTO


THIS IS A PHOTO

NOT A POSTCARD


SHADES & COLORS

CAN VARY



JUST IN CASE ANY OF MY LISTINGS 

HAVE WRONG INFO, I CANNOT ID PHOTO OR POSTCARD,

SEND INFO, I WILL INSERT CORRECT INTO INTO LISTING, TIA. 



LISTING 350 PHOTOS STARTING ON 8/29/26

THE PHOTO ALBUM AT ONE TIME WAS GLUED INTO A ALBUM, THAT ALBUM WAS BROKEN DOWN AND PHOTOS WERE PUT INTO ANOTHER ALBUM WITH HANGERS, THE PHOTOS HAVE PAPER & GLUE ON BACKS IN THE CORNER AREAS, WHICH PUT MILD GLUE DIMPLE POCKETS ON THE FRONT SIDE, THE PHOTOS HAVE DEPRESSED MARKS ON TIPS FROM BEING IN THE OTHER ALBUM FOR YEARS WITH PAPER HANGERS, MOST PHOTOS HAD CAPTIONS ON BACKS OR HAD CAPTIONS ON THE ALBUM PAGE AND I PUT THE CAPTION ON BACK OF SOME PHOTOS.


THE ALBUM HAD MANY CAPTIONS, MOST PROMINENT NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS, OTHER AREAS INCLUDE NEW JERSEY, FLORIDA, BERMUDA, SOME OF THE CONTENT WERE MAJOR STORMS, OLD SHIPS, BOSTON NAVY YARD, BLIMP PHOTOS, AIRPORT PHOTOS, LOTS OF PHOTOS AROUND INLET, NEW YORK - THE FULTON CHAIN OF LAKES - THE WOODS INN, LOSTS OF HISTORICAL CONTENT, FASHION OF ERA, ETC.



SELLER INFO ONLY ON THIS LINE ( 1100 - BLIMP - 503 ) 482

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY AUCTION!


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

PLEASE LOOK AT PHOTO FOR DAMAGE:

DAMAGE RATINGS:

RANKING TO EDGES ( 2 )

( 1 )-LITE DAMAGE TO EDGES HARDLY ANY DAMAGE

( 2 )-MILD DAMAGE TO EDGES, SOME MINOR DINGS, CHIPPING & WEAR.

( 3 )-HEAVY DAMAGE TO EDGES, LOTS OF CREASES AND OR RIPS & TEARS.

RANKING TO CORNER TIPS ( 2 )

( 1 )-LITE DAMAGE TO CORNER TIPS, HARDLY ANY DAMAGE

( 2 )-MILD DAMAGE TO CORNER TIPS, SOME MINOR DINGS & WEAR.

( 3 )-HEAVY DAMAGE TO CORNER TIPS, BAD CREASES, BAD WEAR, MISSING TIPS.

CLARITY RANKING TO PHOTO ( 1 )

( 1 )-VERY CLEAR, LOTS OF DETAIL

( 2 )-PRETTY CLEAR SOME DETAIL

( 3 )-CLEAR 1-2 FEET AWAY, HAZY-FUZZY UNDER MAGNIFY GLASS

( 4 )-HAZY-FUZZY 1-2 FEET AWAY AND UNDER MAGNIFY GLASS

CLARITY FROM 2 DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, WILL BE RATED YES OR NO

CLARITY GOOD HOLDING 1-2 FEET AWAY ( YES ) BIT DARK

HAZY-FUZZY UNDER MAGNIFY GLASS ( NO ) 

CLEAR UNDER MAGNIFY GLASS ( YES ) 

HAZY-FUZZY IN BACKGROUND ( NO ) 

HAZY-FUZZY ON SIDE EDGES ( YES ) 

WRINKLE/CREASE/WAVINESS TO PHOTO FROM SHRINKAGE ( YES-MILD )

WRINKLE/CREASE/WAVINESS FROM BEING PULLED/SCRAPED OFF ALBUM PAGE ( YES-MILD )

DEPRESSED CORNER MARKS IN CORNERS FROM CORNER HANGERS ( YES-LITE )

DEPRESSED GLUE DIMPLE MARKS IN PHOTO FROM GLUE ON BACKSIDE ( YES - MILD )

RUBS FROM BEING IN AN ALBUM FOR YEARS ( YES-LITE )

OVERALL CONDITION OF PHOTO, WHICH INCLUDES DAMAGE AND CLARITY IN RATING, WILL BE RATED ON A ( 1-10 ) SCALE.

( 1 ) BEING VERY BAD & ( 10 ) BEING VERY GOOD

OVERALL CONDITION OF PHOTO ( 5 )

MADE OF PHOTO TYPE PAPER

BACK SOME DISCOLOR, FEW MARKS, GLUE & PAPER IN SPOTS

FRONT FEW MARKS, SOME DISCOLOR

OTHER DAMAGE NOTED HERE: 

ALSO HAS USUAL SCRATCHES, MARS, DINGS, ETC.

DAMAGE A FEW SCRATCHES, DINGS, HAIL DENTS & CREASES, ALL TIPS SHOW WEAR, DINGS OR CREASES, LITE GLUE DIMPLE POCKETS ON FRONT FROM GLUE ON BACK, PAPER HANGERS LEFT DEPRESSED MARKS ON TIPS, PAPER AND GLUE ON BACK IN SPOTS, MILD SHRINK WAVINESS THROUGHOUT.

PHOTO SIZE SMALL 3-1/2 BY 2-1/2 INCHES



 

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I try to describe all items to the best of my ability, if theres any flaws, chips, tears, etc, i will try to point them out for you. 

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Click "Ask a Question" link on the above right to contact us if you have any questions about this item. We will usually reply right away,if i'm gone for a few hours, will reply as soon as i get back.


Thanks for Looking and Happy Digging

 "SunkenTreazure"