Legacy Jan/Feb 2024 Vol 52, Issues 1 & 2 Miss Margaret Tuger
Nov / Dec 2023 Volume 51 / Issue 11&12
Noah John Rondeau ; Mayor of Cold River City
written by Peg Warner
I recently ordered a book for our Gift Shop called: “Noah John Rondeau, Adirondack Hermit” by Maitland C. De Sormo. It retails for $19.95 and has a cover photo that reminds me of a picture of Nostradamus I once saw. The picture, of course, is of Noah John as an older man with a mountain man beard and mustache, possibly a furry hat on, and with the most enigmatic eyes that just draw you in and make you want to know more.
I have talked to a couple of people who remember him, and according to them he was a character. So, I decided that I wanted to know more about him. He was born on July 6, 1883 in Au Sable Forks, NY. He lived there until after his mothers death. As a teenager, he ran away to get away from an abusive father. He had an 8th grade education, but loved to read and was very interested in astronomy. I am sure he put that interest to use on those clear Adirondack nights!
In the intervening years between runaway and hermit, Noah John was a barber, a handyman, a caretaker, and a guide. He would also spend some time in jail due to some wildlife & game issues. He learned about the woods and how to survive in them from Dan Emmett. He was from a Canadian Indian Tribe called the Abenaki.
Later, in a letter to the editor of the Essex County Republican for the August 1st, 1947 edition, Noah John wrote this about Dan Emmett. “he is 90% broke, 100% worthy, and without office or price he has unchangeable perfect quality.” I guess that means he was well like by NJR.
Noah John would winter in his beloved wilderness and spend spring, summer, and fall guiding people. In 1929 he saw the way the world was heading. The economy was crashing, jobs were harder and harder to find, and supporting himself was becoming more difficult. So at the age of 46, he decided that he was going to live in his favorite spot in the woods. Here he could be self-sufficient, and wouldn’t have to worry how he was going to live. Carrying essentials, a double-bladed axe, a rifle, traps, and a copy of Walden, the middle aged man set off for Cold River to build his “city”. He called it “Cold River City” and appointed himself the Mayor. He even put up a population sign!! It read Population: 1 Using wood from an old hunting camp, and what he could find in the forest, he built himself two buildings, and 3 teepee like structures that he would use as firewood during the winter. One of the buildings was labelled the “Town Hall ”
He kept many, many journals detailing his life, what the weather was like, what he was doing on that day, or where he was going. The problem was, he also created and used his own code which made the books unreadable. The code was finally “cracked” in 1992.
Even though he was a hermit, he accepted many visitors who would wander into Cold River City. He was happy to tell them a few stories, and share is views on the world. And, occasionally he would even play his violin for them.
One day in 1947, a plane flew over his City and a note dropped from the sky. It would turn out to be a letter from Bill Perry from the Conservation Dept. The messaged asked if Noah John would go to a Sportsman Show in NYC, he stomped out the word “YES” in the snow. Not giving him time to change his mind, the very next day a helicopter landed and he was whisked away to NYC. He would spend the next few years working for the Conservation Dept. promoting the protection of the Adirondacks, a job he was well suited for. Ironic, considering his early battles with the Conservation Department!
In 1950 a “Big Blow” blew across the Adirondacks. This hurricane brought 100 mph winds, and destroyed 250,000 acres of forest. The Conservation Dept, would close the Cold River area due to a high risk of fire for the next several years.
At the age of 67, Noah John had to leave his Cold River City. He would live in the Lake Placid – Wilmington – Saranac Lake area until his death on August 24th, 1967 at the age of 84 years old. His request for his final resting place, was his loved Cold River, but that would never be fulfilled. He is buried in North Elba Cemetery.
There is SO much more to tell you, but I am running out of space and Time. If you would like to know more about Noah John Rondeau, we do have the book available in the Gift Shop. It would make a great Christmas present!
The actual cabin he lived in, along with one of his journals, are on display at the Adirondack Experience Museum on Blue Mountain Lake.
