Hollywood Hills Hotel Dedication

Although the builder Joseph W. Young died five months before his Hollywood Hills Hotel opened, a dedication celebration went forward and was certainly a social highlight of the 1934 summer season in the Central Adirondacks. The hotel itself was awe inspiring. Here is one description from a local newspaper of the day: “Type is inadequate to fittingly describe the building which out-rivals in massiveness, unique architecture and rusticity any other hotel in the state and combined with this is all of the modern conveniences of any city hotel and must be seen to be appreciated.”

Such a building was worthy of the sensational opening ceremony it got. As guests gathered in the large lobby they saw Indian canoes approaching on First Lake. The canoes landed on the beach 120 feet in front of the hotel and a group of Abenake Indians crossed the lawn and came into the lobby. They gathered at the four-sided, boulder-covered, fireplace and enacted an ancient rite of lighting the first fires, complete with chanting ceremonial hymns and dancing about the fire before departing the Hotel the same way they had entered.

Guests were welcomed by Oscar T. Johnson, the hotel manager, who invited all to the candle-lit dining room where they were served by waitresses wearing old-fashioned gowns of pink and blue with Martha Washington white collars and aprons. Reports were that the seven course dinner was, as Mr. Johnson had promised, “the best cuisine attainable and prepared by chefs famed for their carefully planned and prepared meals.”

During dinner the guests were entertained by Eddie Williamson and his Hollywood Hills Parisians and a floor show followed. Among those attending were Mrs. Young, widow of the builder, and their son J. W. Young, Jr., with his wife and daughter.

The evening ended with dancing. Several weeks later the following ad for the Hollywood Hills Hotel appeared in the local newspaper: “Having opened its first season it now invites patronage of a discriminating clientele. Every recreational facility is available. All rooms with private bath, steam heat, telephone. We offer unparalleled service and cuisine. Rates are $7 to $12 per person per day American Plan.”