A History of Powley Place

Located deep within the remote wilderness of the southern Adirondacks in the town of Arietta, Powley Place—often historically spelled “Pauley Place”—stands as a significant site in the environmental and social history of New York. Its story mirrors the broader transition of the Adirondack region from a landscape of early agricultural homesteads to a premier destination for wilderness sports and, eventually, a strictly protected forest preserve.

Early Settlement and Farming

The area first appeared in official records in the 1870 Agricultural census for Arietta, listed as the farm of John Powley. Valued at three hundred dollars, the homestead included 35 acres of improved land and 100 acres of woodlot. John lived there with his wife Rosetta and their children, supporting the family through modest livestock holdings including milk cows and oxen. At that time, the site was a functional island of agriculture in a sea of forest, producing grass and hay to sustain the family and their few laborers.

The Lodge and Sporting Era

By the late 19th century, the property began its transformation into a renowned sportsman’s lodge and hotel. As interest in hunting and fishing in the Adirondacks grew, the buildings at Powley Place became a hub for outdoor enthusiasts.

• Management Transitions: Ownership and management shifted through several hands, including Albert Dunning and his wife Cora, who were renting the lodge by 1898.
• State Acquisition: When New York State began aggressively purchasing land for the Forest Preserve, the property was sold to the state by 1900.
• Squatter Tenure: Interestingly, despite the state taking title, former residents were often allowed to remain as “squatters” to provide essential lodging and services for the influx of sportsmen. In fact, Albert Dunning was even appointed by the state as a game warden to prevent timber theft while continuing to run the lodge.

Fire and Final Removal

The physical history of Powley Place was punctuated by fire and rebuilding. In the early 1900s, while under the management of Frank Fournia, a fire destroyed the main lodge. It was eventually rebuilt and operated by brothers Fred and Harry Fish as a lodging place for hunters until the mid-1910s.

The end of the permanent structures at Powley Place came in the autumn of 1917. As part of the state’s “Forever Wild” mandate, which sought to remove commercial structures and return the wilderness to its natural state, the hotel and lodge were torn down. This marked the conclusion of its era as a settled homestead and commercial outpost.

Modern Legacy

Today, Powley Place is a popular landmark on the Powley-Piseco Road, an unpaved, 17-mile seasonal road that cuts through the Ferris Lake Wild Forest. The site remains a favorite for:

• Natural Beauty: It is home to “the Potholers,” a series of rapids and cascades on East Canada Creek where loose stones have carved deep holes in the flat bedrock over centuries.
• Recreation: It serves as a starting point for hiking, camping, and fishing, preserved as a wilderness area for public use.

Though the buildings are long gone, the name Powley Place endures as a testament to the resilient pioneers and the early sporting culture that defined the southern Adirondacks.