Comments on: Frenchman’s Island of Oneida Lake

By: Hazel Stewart

Hazel Stewart — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:25:26 +0000

Just reading the book, Letters from America, by Alexis de Tocqueville. On pages 128-133, De Tocqueville is writing a letter to his sister about history of Oneida Lake and the Frenchman who brought his bride to America and settled there…interesting.

By: William

William — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:56:16 +0000

Didn’t get to kayak out to Frenchman’s this past summer. Really missed it. I did have an opportunity to speak with a member of the Fort Brewerton Historical Society. She was of the belief that the baby born to Monsieur & Madame Desvatine was buried on the island. If that’s the case, please tread the island with care and some degree of respect. In the late 1800s and early 1900s the island was a popular stop for locals. Steamboats made regular excursions to the island. That’s the reason for the dock that is still there. And I read somewhere that there was at least 1 hotel that was built upon it. Frenchman’s Island is an ‘undeveloped’ NYS park and open to the public. There are no amenities. No bathrooms, no camping. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:55:59 +0000

I now live on Oneida lake for the past year and have taken my family to Frenchmans Island several times, we find somthing new about it each time we go. There seems to be an old foundation in the far southeast corner of the Island, someone told us it was an old hotel do you have any info on this. It seems to be large enough for maybe a bed and breakfast. We also take a bag with us to pick up what some people leave behind.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:51:18 +0000

I live on Oneida Lake and I have been to Frenchman’s Island many times. Its a really neat place, there is a trail that leads from a state dock there to the light house on the north eastern edge of the island. Along the trail there is a huge crater, from what I am not sure. The state ended up putting up posted signs around the island though and I haven’t been back. I have heard rumors though that it is now a state park and open again to the public.

By: William Kalinowski

William Kalinowski — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:59:06 +0000

I took some nice photos of Frenchman’s Island and Oneida Lake this summer. To view go to Oneida_Lake_Paddles at Yahoo Groups.

By: Olivia

Olivia — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:52:25 +0000

Madame Desvatines is also credited with giving birth to the first white child in the county!

By: William Kalinowski

William Kalinowski — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:32:24 +0000

Mrs M: Do you canoe or kayak? I would suggest that as the best means of seeing Frenchman Island. I have visited the island several times, by snowshoe and kayak, winter and spring. I find something awe-inspiring about it. Any further info about the lighthouse? If you and your family are paddlers, would you be interested in a group visit to Frenchman? I am available Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Thanks,
Bill K.

By: Mrs. Mecomber

Mrs. Mecomber — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:06:28 +0000

I would SO LOVE to visit Frenchman’s Island!

By: William Kalinowski

William Kalinowski — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:10:59 +0000

Lovely photos of Frenchmans Is. Paddled a kayak to it just last week. Took about 45 minutes of brisk paddling. I can’t tell you how beautiful and mysterious the feeling as I walked about the Island. I could imagine the Island’s first inhabitants, what they may have looked like, what form their dwellings might have taken.

Its just a jewel of an island, and so nearby. I’m glad I can now legally visit it and enjoy the serenity.

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:56:01 +0000

Where can I launch my canoe to get to Frenchman’s Island?