Type of Work: Sport, Recreation, and Tourism

Guides sit and stand on the porch of a guide house

Wildnerness guides on the steps of a guide house in Beaver River

Guides who worked as independent contractors in the Beaver River area sit on the front steps of a guide house. Beaver River, NY. Courtesy of Dennis Buckley. Click here for our story on the Beaver River Club, a remote sportsmen’s club on the Beaver River that was flooded with the creation of the Stillwater Reservoir.

Gerald Heath sits in doorway or windowsill

Caretaker Gerald Heath in Chippewa Bay

Caretaker Gerald Heath sits at Singer Castle on Dark Island, where he worked for a decade. As the caretaker, he lived on the island year-round. Circa 1950s or early 1960s. Chippewa Bay, NY. Photo courtesy of Doug Heath.

Gerald Heath sits on iceboat

Caretaker Gerald Heath with iceboat at Singer Castle in Chippewa Bay

Gerald Heath, caretaker at Dark Island, sits on his iceboat. Heath built the iceboat out of plywood and attached a small airplane propeller to the back. He used the boat to get from the island to the mainland during the winter. Circa 1950s or early 1960s. Chippewa Bay, NY. Photo courtesy of Doug Heath.