Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake

Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake were a series of homes and sanatoriums in Saranac Lake, New York, United States, dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis patients. The village of Saranac Lake, located in the Adirondack Mountains, became a renowned center for the treatment of tuberculosis after Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau discovered the therapeutic benefits of the fresh, mountain air and a restful environment in the late 19th century. This discovery led to the establishment of the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium in 1885, which later expanded into a network of cure cottages throughout Saranac Lake.

History[edit | edit source]

The history of the Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake is closely tied to the life and work of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau. After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, Trudeau moved to Saranac Lake for its healing environment. His recovery inspired him to establish the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium, which was the first of its kind to offer the "rest cure" for tuberculosis patients. The success of Trudeau's sanitarium led to the proliferation of cure cottages in Saranac Lake, where patients could rent rooms or entire houses to undergo the rest cure, which involved fresh air, rest, and a nutritious diet.

Architecture[edit | edit source]

The architecture of the Cure Cottages was distinctive, designed to maximize the patients' exposure to fresh air and sunlight. Many cottages featured large, wrap-around porches or "cure porches" where patients spent much of their time resting in specially designed cure chairs. These buildings were often constructed with the needs of the patients in mind, including features such as large windows for sunlight and ventilation, and easy access to outdoor areas.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

The treatment at the Cure Cottages was based on the principles of the rest cure, which emphasized rest, nutrition, and exposure to fresh air. Patients were encouraged to spend as much time as possible outdoors on the cure porches, even during the winter months, bundled in blankets to breathe the cold, clean air. This treatment was believed to help the lungs heal from the damage caused by tuberculosis.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The legacy of the Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake is significant, as they played a crucial role in the early treatment of tuberculosis, a disease that was a leading cause of death in the early 20th century. The success of the cure cottages helped establish Saranac Lake as a major health resort, attracting patients from around the world. Although the advent of antibiotics in the mid-20th century led to the decline of the need for such sanatoriums, many of the original cure cottages still stand today, serving as reminders of the town's history as a healing center.