A Treasured Island

Posted On July 11, 2024

The Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage

My Cottage Caretaker Guided Photography Tour

Followed by a Presentation on the Renowned Author’s Life & Works

Hosted by the folks at Historic Saranac Lake

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I grew up in the shadows of the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage. We called it the little white house on the hill. Back before all the trees grew up, I could see it through our upstairs windows. Sometimes my brother and I would go up there exploring on “field trips”.

(An interesting side note: When my parents bought the stone house on the corner, they had their choice of addresses: 1 Stevenson Lane, or 8 Pine Street. My mom liked the sound of 1 Stevenson Lane better, so that’s where my brother & I grew up. The rest of that story is Saranac Lake history.)

So, when I learned that my friends at Historic Saranac Lake would be hosting a presentation on my boyhood home street’s namesake on July 10th in their museum’s John Black Room, another SL road trip immediately went on my calendar.

I originally had in mind a full day’s Saranac Lake hometown exploring agenda. Those plans, however, were quashed as July 10th arrived, and with it the heavy rains, tornado and flood warnings of what remained of Hurricane Beryl. That morning’s rapidly intensifying rain deluge and severe weather reports were increasingly daunting. Despite my strong desire to attend this event, my day’s planned trip was in peril.

By noon, however, it seemed as though the worst of the weather had moved further east. The skies looked slightly less foreboding. I packed my overnight emergency bag and decided to risk it. As I made my way up Route 3 through Star Lake, Cranberry & Tupper, it occurred to me that, to the best of my recollection, none of my Saranac Lake English teachers ever had anything by Robert Louis Stevenson (hereafter referred to as RLS) on our assigned reading list. Not a single RLS short story, essay, poem or novel ever graced our curriculum.

So, despite growing up in the shadows of “Chateau Baker”, (or “The Hunter’s Home” as RLS called it), where RLS convalesced for six months while he penned “The Master of Ballantrae” and having read on my own “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” and “Treasure Island”, my studies never included anything by RLS, not even a book report.

I found it interesting that RLS called The Baker Cottage “The Hunter’s Home”, as, from what I learned on my Stevenson Lane fieldtrip, RLS was by no means a hunter. He was more likely to be seen ice skating on Moody Pond while he convalesced under the care of his friend & physician, Dr. Trudeau. RLS apparently did much of his writing from bed.

After navigating my way through several torrential downpours, I finally reached the RLS Memorial Cottage shortly after 4pm, just before closing time. Mike, the caretaker, recognized me without prompt or prodding as he ushered me in. “You’re the kid from down at the end of the street. How are your parents?” was his greeting.

Per his own report, Mike’s been the cottage caretaker over forty years. He’s a treasure trove of RLS insight and knowledge. He’s even had his years of background and research put together in an impressive side table binder of newspaper articles for visitors to read.

Mike talked me through the cottage while I busied myself snapping photos.

I was particularly struck by the sheer volume and breadth of RLS’s published works, despite his health issues and resultingly short life (born in 1850, RLS died in 1894 at the age of 44).

Robert Louis Stevenson penned “The Master of Ballantrae” during his six-month convalescent stay in Saranac Lake (1887-1888). Oddly enough, given that he did so while living in the cottage overlooking my own childhood home on the street bearing his name, I have never read it. Rest assured, I’m about to correct that rather egregious oversight on my part.

Shortly after that, he left for Samoa, where he died at the age of 44 of a cerebral hemorrhage, but not without being honored by this tribute from a British Admiral.

I found so much to take in at the RLS cottage, I could not digest it all in one brief moment. I picked up a pair of books and a pamphlet while I was there to help me start filling in the massive voids in my personal RLS knowledge.

I’ve already read Chalmer’s “The Penny Piper of Saranac Lake”. I found it immensely informative and helpful in putting together this article. One thing is certain. I most definitely need to plan more future RLS Cottage Museum visits.

From there I slogged my way past gushing streetside rain gutters to the Historic Saranac Lake Museum’s John Black Room.

There, Professor (Or is it Dr? Or is it Dr. Professor? I’m never quite sure about such things.) Olsen, in all of the aforementioned cases The Stevenson Society of America’s President, gave his presentation:

“Facing Death & Embracing Life with Robert Louis Stevenson”

Trenton B. Olsen, PhD

I found his presentation interesting, engaging and extremely informative. Professor Olsen is very obviously another great resource and treasure trove of knowledge on all things RLS, much of which I anticipate is contained in his book.

I found the entire day’s road trip a very worthwhile experience, even if I did have to brave the rain soaking remnants of Hurricane Beryl to get there…

and somehow in the same day, safely make my way home.

I’m honestly not sure how much of an influence growing up in the shadows of RLS had on my development as a writer. I never directly felt his presence on Stevenson Lane, but always knew he’d been there. We are both of Scottish descent. We’ve both breathed the same mountain air and spent part of our lives living in that same north woods space. We’ve each penned pages in numerous genres. We’re both convalescent survivors who’ve embraced life while facing death.

Looking back now, I wish my English teachers had exposed me to more of his works while I was a young Saranac Lake lad. One thing is certain, I now plan to spend more time being a good 1 Stevenson Lane neighbor and doing just that.

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Until Our Trails Cross Again:

ADKO

Author’s Acknowledgement: My thanks to RLS Memorial Cottage Caretaker Mike Delehant, The Stevenson Society of America President, Professor Trenton B. Olsen PhD, Stephen Chalmers’ “The Penny Piper of Saranac Lake”, and of course to the folks at Historic Saranac Lake. Those most excellent sources provided all of the information and photo opportunities that made this story possible.

Except for the “1 Stevenson Lane” anecdote.

Credit for that one goes to my mom.