(from a scrapbook)
(year and title missing)
Muskellunge Lake, Once
Used By Indians, Now
Has Summer Colony
By ERNEST G. COOK.
Theresa, Dec. 9. -- Ages ago, long before the white man came into the north country, the Indians made use of the many lakes that cluster in northern Theresa, often termed the Theresa-Redwood lakes, but now more generally spoken of by historians as the Indian Lakes. The Indians came to these lakes in large numbers in summer and late fall to secure fish for winter use, as well as to catch fur bearing animals that existed in large numbers in the section.
The records indicate that New York state has 198 lakes and in this very small area of the Theresa-Redwood region, are located 17 of them. They are becoming more popular every year with the summer tourists. There is mystery, romance, history and many folk-stories connected with many of these beautiful lakes. Muskellunge Lake in the northeast corner of Theresa township, nearly two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide, is closely tied to the Indian river by a very short outlet, and here the Indians made their headquarters for a long term of years. Just north from the lake and on a rise of ground overlooking the Indian river, apparently was once an Indian village. Today there is seen where the Indians had their mill for grinding their corn, their oven for cooking, with rocks still black with smoke and flame, and one can find on the rock above one of the finest specimens of Indian pot holes to be found anywhere in the eastern United States. Cut into the granite rock, it is a marvel of smoothness and exactness. By sounding the grounds above this place one finds indications that the Indians had underground storage for their grains and food. Besides, there are what are known as Indian apple trees growing about the place.
On the sandy beach of Muskellunge Lake there are other evidences of Indian occupation. Quite recently George Sheley of north Theresa, dug into this sand and unearthed what was evidently a tomb of an Indian. There were few bones for the tomb was evidently an ancient one but inside the stone lined grave were found nearly 2,000 arrow points, over half of them perfect. The Algonquin word for the lake was Maskinonge and means great pickerel or fish. So this lake was in former days the home of the muskellunge. The old map makers spelled the name of the lake, “Muscolunge.”
In the days when steamboats made trips out of Theresa to Red Lake they at times made more extended trips if the water was not too low in river and outlet to Muskellunge lake and one season about 75 years ago, it was a favorite picnic place for steamboat excursions from Theresa village.
Today Muskellunge lake has a summer colony which claims it one of the finest fishing spots in the north.
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