ADK Supports Grace Peak Proposal

[ADK PR]

At its September meeting, the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Board of Directors approved a resolution supporting the Adirondack 46ers' proposal to change the name of East Dix to Grace Peak and South Dix to Carson Peak. More here: www.adk.org/press/Grace_Peak.aspx

[adktyler]

That's great! I totally support it as well. When will the maps change?

[DSettahr]

I believe that an official name change requires a vote in favor by the state senate and assembly. I could be wrong though. So I doubt the names will change until then. Of course, people have been using the new names for a few years anyways now.

On the subject, why don't we start a movement to rename Algonquin to MacIntyre, Colden to McMartin, Marcy to Tahawus, and Marshall to Herbert (or alternately Clinton).

[adktyler]

I believe that an official name change requires a vote in favor by the state senate and assembly. I could be wrong though. So I doubt the names will change until then. Of course, people have been using the new names for a few years anyways now.

Ok, that makes sense.

On the subject, why don't we start a movement to rename Algonquin to MacIntyre, Colden to McMartin, Marcy to Tahawus, and Marshall to Herbert (or alternately Clinton).

Uh, I totally am down with Tahawus, but (please excuse my ignorance) what is the significance of the other names?

[Dick]

Uh, I totally am down with Tahawus, but (please excuse my ignorance) what is the significance of the other names?

They were past names for these mountains.

Dick

[adktyler]

They were past names for these mountains.

Dick

Oh, ok. Thanks. Weren't they changed to honor significant contributors to the High Peaks history? Such as Marshall?

[Dick]

Oh, ok. Thanks. Weren't they changed to honor significant contributors to the High Peaks history? Such as Marshall?

Yes. This page shows the origins of some of the names for the 4000 footers.

Dick

[adktyler]

Yes. This page shows the origins of some of the names for the 4000 footers.

Dick

Thanks!!

[colden46]

On the subject, why don't we start a movement to rename Algonquin to MacIntyre, Colden to McMartin, Marcy to Tahawus, and Marshall to Herbert (or alternately Clinton).

Hey now

[DSettahr]

Oh, ok. Thanks. Weren't they changed to honor significant contributors to the High Peaks history? Such as Marshall?

Bob Marshall actually wasn't very thrilled about the idea of renaming the mountain in his honor. If I remember correctly, one of the Dixes was originally named Marshall, and the current Marshall was named Herbert Mt. in honor of Herbert Clark.

[Skyclimber]

That's great! I totally support it as well. When will the maps change?

I believe that an official name change requires a vote in favor by the state senate and assembly. I could be wrong though. So I doubt the names will change until then. Of course, people have been using the new names for a few years anyways now.

Grace died on March 13, 2004. In order for the name to officially change she must be deceased for five years, first.

[Bill I.]

Bob Marshall actually wasn't very thrilled about the idea of renaming the mountain in his honor. If I remember correctly, one of the Dixes was originally named Marshall, and the current Marshall was named Herbert Mt. in honor of Herbert Clark.

Russell Carson, the person for whom the name Mount Carson will honor, named a peak in the Dix Range "Mount Marshall" in his book Peaks and People. The problem was that Bob Marshall was still alive, and naming geographic features after living people had long since gone out of fashion. Carson also personally bestowed names on five other High Peaks, including Herbert and Blake--both of which were named for people still living at the time.

The NYS Conservation Department published a map of the High Peaks region that included all of Carson's new names--in essence endorsing themm even though there had been no public review process. One ADK member named Theodore Anthony was so opposed to this that he had the state retract the maps--and personally paid for new copies that omitted the names.

Anthony was primarily enraged at the naming of Mount Marshall more than Herbert or Blake; his letters suggest a strong streak of anti-Semtism.

The peak in question was eventually named Hough. The current Mount Marshall was not named until 1972, some 33 years after his death.

This story is told in more detail in A Wilderness Original: The Life of Bob Marshall by James M. Glover.