The Great Sacandaga Lake was created in 1930 when construction of the Conklingville Dam was completed, turning the Sacandaga River valley into a 42 square mile reservoir. Dr. Dudley Kathan owned property in the valley, and decided to move to higher ground. Thus, he moved the farmhouse and barn along with the old schoolhouse and a granary. These buildings became the start of Kathan Kamps.
Dudley then added 3 log cabins, and a cabin was built for his son (Dr. Norman Kathan) and his family. The cabins were made available to friends and acquaintances for summer vacation times.
Through the years, more cabins were added and families grew. Traditions were established, some of which have been carried on and others which have been discontinued over time.
Many kampers remember the Regattas at the end of each season. Highlights included male bathing beauty contests, family skits in the field, water games and races, kampsite picnic, peanut hunts, egg tosses, three-legged races, golf cart races, shuffleboard competitions, and the softball game which invariably ended with everyone who could be caught being thrown into the lake.
Before the availability of trash collection, the kampsite had a dump. It became a treasure chest of castaway items for the children to discover and furnish their tree houses or forts. It also became a hangout for raccoons, skunks, and occasional bears.
At the time that Dudley was moving buildings to higher ground, the local church was being moved as well. Along with the church, the cemetery had to be moved. In the process, many silver casket handles were apparently broken off and left behind. For a number of years, as the land of what is now called Cemetery Point eroded, casket handles were found among the rocks of the shore. Lilies of the Valley grow wild on Cemetery Point every spring.
Another favorite summer activity was always "stepping stones" up the stream. The big challenge came when one navigated the deep area where a mill used to be. Many a kamper returned soaking wet from slipping on a mossy rock or just losing balance!
A Labor Day tradition has been the bonfire at the old beach. As brush is cut through the summer, it is added to the pile, and by Labor Day it becomes huge! Of course, the bonfire is not complete without the singing of old standards and campfire tunes!
Weddings at Kathan Kamps have been unique and memorable!
