It lies a-moulderin' in the grave

I was on my way up to the farm last Sunday and driving through the town of Lake Placid. I passed a small old rusty sign I'd never noticed before which read simply, "John Brown's Grave." I noticed that it pointed down John Brown Road. I reacted belatedly, but turned around and followed the sign down toward what turned out to be a state run monument, the site of John Brown's farm and grave. In the photo above, a statue of Mr. Brown with a young freed slave. Beyond that you can see the farm house, barn and Adirondack peaks if you click on the picture to enlarge it.

John Brown was an abolitionist who, in the mid 1800s, spent his life fighting slavery. His efforts became more intense until he led an army which killed people in its "war."

Above is John Brown's house, restored to it's original look and period furnishings. The town is called North Elba, but as far as a modern visitor can tell, it's Lake Placid. In fact, you can see the Olympic ski jump towers from the house.

John Brown was hanged for treason and buried near his home in North Elba/Lake Placid. He was and is today considered a hero to some and a terrorist to others. To learn more about John Brown, a good reference site is
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1550.html


The little settlement of North Elba was originally donated for the use of black families trying to make lives for themselves. John Brown came to reside here to live with those he'd tried so hard to help. Above is the farm and barn. You can see a beautiful pond and, in the distance, some Adirondack peaks. What was once considered spare land is now valued as some of the most beautiful in the country. In fact, along John Brown Road are some of the most extravagant mansions in the Adirondacks.