New York State Route 431
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | 7.96 mi[1] (12.81 km) | |
| Existed | by 1932[2]–present | |
| History | Completed in 1935[3] | |
| Major junctions | ||
| South end |  NY 86 in Wilmington | |
| North end | Peak of Whiteface Mountain | |
| Location | ||
| Country | United States | |
| State | New York | |
| Counties | Essex | |
| Highway system | ||
| ||
New York State Route 431 (NY 431) is a
Marcellus Leonard, a merchant from nearby Saranac Lake, originally proposed the highway in the late 19th century. However, serious plans for the highway did not develop until the 1920s. Construction of the route began in 1929 and was completed in 1935; Leonard died six months before the opening. The 25-mile-per-hour (40 km/h) highway varies in elevation from over 2,000 feet (610 m) to over 4,500 feet (1,372 m) and increases in elevation by about 450 feet (137 m) per mile as it heads away from NY 86. The Whiteface Highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Route description
The Whiteface Highway, also known as NY 431, begins at an intersection with
At this point, NY 431 curves to the south, climbing up the western side of both Esther Mountain and Whiteface Mountain.[4] Upon reaching 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in elevation, a large building at the top of Whiteface Mountain called the Castle becomes visible, and Union Falls Pond can be seen more clearly below.[5] The scenic drive continues up Whiteface Mountain to its summit, which NY 431 ascends toward by way of a pair of hairpin turns just north of the peak.[6] At the first of the turns, the highway reaches an overlook 3,700 feet (1,100 m) in elevation that provides views of parts of Lake Placid and the Olympic Village.[5] The road and the NY 431 designation both terminate at a parking lot about 300 feet (91 m) below the summit of Whiteface Mountain,[1][6] where the Castle is located.[5]
History
The idea of constructing a road up
Just after construction was announced for the new roadway, plans were developed in 1929 for a
Plans for the Whiteface Mountain Highway surfaced in 1929, and a bid of $687,572.50 (1931 USD) was submitted to construct the new roadway two years later. The final plans called for an 8-mile (13 km), 20-foot (6.1 m) wide highway climbing 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in elevation with grade changes of 8–10%. A toll of $1 for each car and its driver and $1 for each additional passenger would be charged to drive up the new highway ($15 in 2018, $8 each additional passenger).[12] Construction started in 1931, with crews working until near Christmas when snowfall impeded their progress. Work on the parkway resumed on March 15, 1932. The new stone walls guarding the new highway cost about $100,000 (1931 USD) to construct.[13] The highway opened to traffic on July 20, 1935.[3]
On September 14, 1935, it was formally dedicated by Roosevelt, now President of the United States, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[14] In all, the road cost $1.2 million to construct. President Roosevelt also requested that an elevator be constructed to help visitors from the parking lot to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.[5] Unfortunately, Marcellus Leonard, the person considered to be the "father" of the highway, did not live to see the highway open as he died at 90 years old on February 23, 1935, a few months before the road opened.[8][15] The completed highway was assigned NY 431,[16] a designation which had been reserved for the road as early as 1932.[2]
The road was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in October 2008 as the "Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway Complex". The National Park Service, which keeps the Register, announced the listing nine months later.[17]
Major intersections
The entire route is in Wilmington, Essex County.
| mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00 | hamlet of Wilmington | |||
| 2.55 | 4.10 |  CR 72 | |||
| 7.96 | 12.81 | Summit of Whiteface Mountain | Northern terminus | ||
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
See also
- Adirondacks
References
- ^ a b c d "2008 Traffic Data Report for New York State" (PDF). New York State Department of Transportation. June 16, 2009. p. 314. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ Texas Oil Company. 1932.
- ^ a b "Road Up Whiteface Opened To Traffic". The New York Times. July 21, 1935. p. 3.
- ^ a b Wilmington, New York (Map). 1:25,000. 7.5x15 Minute Series (Topographic). United States Geological Survey. 1978. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Manchester, Lee. "A 5-mile drive to the top of the world" (PDF). Adirondack Architectural Heritage. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Lake Placid, New York – Essex County (Map). 1:25,000. 7.5x15 Minute Series (Topographic). United States Geological Survey. 1979. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ "Road Up Mountain Is Nearly Finished". The New York Times. October 15, 1933. p. E6.
- ^ a b "Father of Whiteface Road Not Here For Dedication". Lake Placid News. September 20, 1935. p. 4.
- ^ "Roosevelt Dedicates Whiteface Highway". The New York Times. September 12, 1929. p. 14.
- ^ a b "Whiteface Tower Faces Lehman Veto: Widespread Opposition Has Developed to the Erection of Lofty World War Memorial". The New York Times. May 6, 1934. p. N1.
- ^ "Tower on Whiteface Barred by Governor: Lehman Vetoes Memorial Bill, Holding Plan Would Mar Mountain". The New York Times. May 17, 1934. p. 5.
- ^ "whiteface veterans memorial highway". whiteface.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ "New Scenic State Road: Whiteface Memorial Highway Opens Saturday -- Other News". The New York Times. July 14, 1935. p. XX10.
- ^ Hurd, Charles W. (September 15, 1935). "Roosevelt Takes 'It Can Be Done' As Today's Motto". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ Gockeler, Edward L. (July 14, 1935). "M.A. Leonard Dead; Owned Store Chain". The New York Times. p. XX10.
- Sun Oil Company. 1935.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places listings, July 31, 2009". National Park Service. July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
External links
- New York State Route 431 at New York Routes
