What follows appeared in the August 24, 1900, edition of the PHILLIPS PHONOGRAPH. The first selection was penned by none other than Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby and shares some observations about Rangeley’s rapid growth. Fly Rod’s Notebook was a staple, however her writing also filled many other column inches of the paper under the title “Special to the Phillips Phonograph” or go unattributed to avoid an over exposure of her contributions.
Cornelia never wavered in her tireless promotion of the region. Fly Rod knew everyone who operated a business, and therefore got all the inside skinny on visitors of note, their sporting successes and adventures, as well as any other tidbit that might be fashioned into good copy. As a result, she probably enjoyed more complimentary steamship passage, train tickets, meals and lodging than anyone in Rangeley’s history. Good for you Fly Rod!
(Contemporary commentary shared in Italics, otherwise reprinted just as it was in 1957).
Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby on horseback perhaps in route to Beaver Pond Camps on their infamous buckboard trail.
FLY ROD’S NOTE BOOK
“I should like to see the country and the improvements there will be in the Rangeley region in twenty-five years from now,” remarked an old gentleman coming down in the steamer across Rangeley Lake last Saturday. Then we talked of the wonderful improvements made during the past ten years. Others who listened said to them it seemed almost impossible that during those few years so much had been done. The Rangeley Lake House has been moved onto the Point and enlarged and improved until there is no belter hotel in this part of Maine, and now over two hundred guests are being entertained there. Ten years ago! When in those days fifty was a big crowd for Marble to entertain. The Mountain View House and Mooselookmeguutic have doubled their capacity. Bald Mountain camps have been built, Billy Soule has kept adding camps until the island is crowded and he is now building on the mainland. The same can be said of Upper and Middle Dam, while in speaking of Bemis a gentleman less than ten years ago remarked, “Why, Bemis is so far away in the wilderness the echo of a steam engine will never be heard there.” “Can it be possible,” remarked a Philadelphia gentleman to the old comer. “Yes, it is all true and why don’t you say something about it in your notebook. Fly Rod.”
As busy as Rangeley is with summer visitors today thanks to the automobile and the system of roads to it and within it, the region in 1905 was constantly “stocked” with folks from away by two railroads!
On Page 1 there appeared a short write up sharing the rustic charms of Beaver Pond Camps, from the always entertaining proprietor, Ed Grant…
These ponds are situated twenty-seven miles from Rangeley and are reached by buckboard to Kennebago lake, thence by steamer across the lake and again by buckboard to our camps at Beaver Pond, the centre of the Seven Ponds region. The new buckboard road is not new enough to be dangerous, and constant work upon it is rapidly reducing the number of deaths reported to us daily. From our Camps upon Beaver Ponds excellent trails afford easy access to a number of ponds where splendid trout fishing is an unfailing certainty and the capture of an occasional fish quite a common occurrence. No expense has been spared in securing the grandest mountain and lake scenery for the exclusive use of our guests, for which no charge is made. Trout rise freely to the fly during the entire season and “tales” of 10-pounders are constantly heard flapping in the guides’ quarters. Game of all kinds is so abundant as to be a positive nuisance and the following may be hunted in the open season: Minges, Moose, Caribou, Catamounts, Bears, Deer, “Draw-Poker,” Hedgehogs, “ Hearts,” House Flies, Partridges, Ducks, Drakes, “ Seven up,” weasels, Wardens and other small game. While Black flies and Mosquitoes are very rare, tar ointment is served at every meal and is deservedly popular. An excellent table is kept, upon which more or less food is served, most of which is consumed by our guests without abusive language. Good beds are not unknown; while every luxury to be found in any modem hotel, may be called for. Anything that a third-class camp trying to pass itself off as a comfortable well-kept one finds it necessary to promise, we do to any extent. We seek patronage from anyone who desires to visit the real backwoods and who is not afraid to take desperate chances. Board and boats furnished at reasonable rates. Guides furnished on application. Parties wishing to visit this place will please write in advance so that we can have camps in readiness. The railroads will sell excursion tickets at reduced rates from Boston to Rangeley. Ask anyone about Beaver Pond Camps and if they don’t speak well of us, then please address us directly for any desired information. -Ed. Grant & Son. Beaver Pond, Me.
I would have loved to just hung out at Ed’s camps (and fish) just to enjoy his wit and wisdom. What a “piece of work” he surely was. Have a great week everyone and be sure to make some great Rangeley History of your own!
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