Photo by J.S. Wooley of Forest Inn before it was renamed Hepbron Hall

In a photo by J.S. Wooley, taken before Fisher Gymnasium was built.

Postcard by H.R. Hulett of Ticonderoga, N.Y., circa 1905

Photo by J.S. Wooley

Photo by J.S. Wooley

I love the sky on this one, from the Rotograph Company, 1905.

I bought this postcard because it was the first I’d seen showing the back of the “bathing pavillion,” which was located where Bay Beach (a.k.a. “the bathing beach”) is today. But the message side was a bonus, given that my last name is Winship and my wife’s maiden name is Reith. Mailed in June of 1936 and addressed to Miss Elsa Marie Reith at 19 Shelter Street in Rochester, it reads, “Dear Els, This is the second & last card. I’ll have lots of pictures if they all turn out. I don’t know whether we can go to the show Wednesday night because Duffy Winship is going to take us home by way of the Chain of Lakes. It’s longer, but prettier. I’ll be seeing you. Love, Ann.”

I have read accounts of people speaking from the stone steps, and seen photos (like this one of an art class from the Silver Bay School), but I’d never stopped to look at them myself, always walking by without noticing. They’ve become a part of the hillside in front of the Inn rather than a place to talk or sketch. But what history they must hold.

Looking north…

and south.

The Silver Spray Choir works on its choreography. Photo by Jim Bresnahan.