Professor Hamilton's Diary: Aug. 14, 1935

As the Hamiltons travel homeward, FDR signs the Social Security Act

“We were up early — thrilled by the sunrise seen on Lake Champlain at Rouse’s Point,” Professor Hamilton wrote in one of his very rare mentions of natural beauty. The Hamilton parents and young Gwennie left in their newly greased car at 7 a.m. and drove to Ausable Chasm, where they had breakfast. He doesn’t mention seeing any of the scenic wonders there, but this vintage postcard offered on eBay gives us a glimpse.

“Then drove over a very pretty route to Elizabethtown, Schroon Lake, Lake George, Glens Falls and there had lunch,” he continued. They were likely driving down New York state highway 9, which travels through all those places. This 1930s vintage postcard offered on eBay advertises a Glens Falls restaurant which boasts a dining room that is “the largest and finest one in Northern New York” and “Selected Beverages.” I’ll say!

The pace continued as they drove through Saratoga Springs, Amsterdam, and Utica to Syracuse, “a total of 290 miles,” where they arrived at his sister Rose’s home at “5:30 (4:30 Standard Syracuse time.)” They had supper together and talked into the evening, retiring about 10:30.

While the Hamiltons were tooling along Hwy. 9, President Roosevelt was signing the most important piece of legislation of the New Deal. Paid subscribers can read on about the Social Security Act.