Plattsburgh

Saranac River meets Lake Champlain

We finally got a chance to visit Plattsburg without the rain coming down. From the internet I had discovered two walking trails, but there were no directions for either. There was a hint, however, which led us to believe we should look for the statue of Champlain. We got off the interstate at the exit which had a “historic district” sign. We figured we needed to be over by Lake Champlain so we turned right. We kept following the “historic district” signs and found ourselves at an old Air Force Base and the Battle of Plattsburg Museum.

Museum at old Air Force Base

County Services building

The Battle of Plattsburg took place as a major encounter with the British during the War of 1812. This is apparently Plattsburg’s only claim to fame. The museum, which is housed in one of the old Air Force Base buildings, is small, but impressive and we got our own private tour. That is always special. We looked around the old buildings, most of which have now been converted to apartments and condominiums. We asked the lady at the museum for directions to the statue.

British HQ for battle of Plattsburgh

Building at the old Air Force Base

Following her directions we found ourselves, not at the statue of Champlain, but rather at a memorial to the commander of the American Fleet during the Battle of Plattsburg, Commodore MacDonough. The small park surrounding the memorial was on the bank of the Saranac River just as it empties into Lake Champlain. Very nice, and the greenway ran through it. I’d say that qualifies for a walking trail.

MacDonough Memorial

Champlain statue

At lunch we inquired of our hostess as to the location of the Champlain statue. She gave us very good walking directions and we were there in less than half a mile. Not only that, it was within spitting distance of MacDonough’s memorial. We just couldn’t see it for the trees. Champlain stands proudly overlooking the 120 mile long lake which bears his name. Looking across the lake you can see the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Lake Champlain with Vermont in the background

We had found the Statue and the beginning of the river walk, which apparently follows the Saranac River from Lake Champlain to the old Air Force Base, but our leisure time was spent and we needed to get on with the grocery shopping—the real reason we were in Plattsburg.