By 1900, the little village of Lake Placid had developed into a major summer resort, known both nationally and internationally. 7 large hotels, plus a number of smaller inns and boarding houses, catered to vacationers from all over the world. The period between 1880 and 1900 has become known historically as LakePlacid’s “golden age of hotels”. The PinesInn(formerly The Hotel St. Moritz) fits into the category by a hair. Albert Stickney, born in Michigan, and his wife Etta Littlejohn Stickney arrived in Lake Placid in 1899 and proceeded to build an inn called “The Pines”. It could accommodate 25 guests and opened the summer of 1900. An attractive small three-story building with ample porches, and surrounded by trees and spacious front lawn, it was a successful venture from the start. The Stickney’s operated the inn personally until 1920, when it was taken over, apparently on a lease, by Robert B. Scott of Boston. Scott was a hotel man of varied experience and had been with Lake Placid’s Whiteface Inn and Stevens House for several years.
Under his direction the inn became a popular refuge for discriminating, well-to-do guests. It had bellboy service, and initially had an orchestra for musicales and dancing led by Miss Bessie Spectre of the New England Conservatory of Music. Thomas Walinsby, formerly with the Carlton Hotel of London, England, was the chef. Bungalows and bungalow tents were also available. In 1922 semi-weekly dances were held in the spacious dining room and music was furnished by the “Pines Trio” consisting of violin, piano and cello. Music was also played during the luncheon and dinner hours, and concerts of sacred music were given on Sunday evenings. The Stickneys sold the inn to Paul J. Augsberger in 1923 and soon passed into legend. Mrs. Stickney died the next year, 1924, and Albert Stickney died inMarch of 1926 at 68. It was Augsberger who renamed the inn “St. Moritz Hotel” and soon defined the place for all time. Purportedly in 1926, a large 6-story addition swallowed up original inn and shortly the front of the hotel was faced with brick.
No major changes were made in after years and the hotel today substantially resembles the original addition. It is believed that Augsberger also built the Annex in the back of the hotel. Originally used as a storehouse and garage, it was later remodeled and enlarged to house an overflow of guests. The hotel was winterized and could stay open both summer and winter. It is not clear when Augsberger ceased to operate the hotel. He seems to have been gone after 1930 and was probably a victim of the Great Depression. Inany event, the St. Moritz received considerable publicity when, in January of 1931, Helen Kane, the famous “boop-a-doop” girl of the period, vacationed there. In the summer of 1931 the hotel was advertising “nude sun bathing on the roof” and “private sun bath cabinets on the roof”. The years of the Great Depression set in. Frank Swift, well-known Lake Placid hotelier, managed the St. Moritz in 1933 and 1934.