The Cliff House
If you have ventured out on Prospect Lake or explored the beach at Prospect Lake Park any time since 1876 you could not avoid noticing an imposing structure perched on a rock outcropping at the eastern edge of the lake. Not intended to draw attention to itself, the building served as a viewing platform for the enjoyment of the surrounding lake and hills, a scenic residence for the owners, and a small tavern with rented rooms for guests. Then, over the years it was expanded to include a promenade and a boat house.
The house was built and an adjacent picnic ground was developed on the east bank of what was then known as Winchel’s Pond, by John E. Van Bramer during the years 1876-1877 in response to changing times. The concept of leisure and country vacations became part of the life-style not just for the “rich and famous” with their Adirondak and Berkshire Hills camps, but for “every man.” Part of the trend that transformed life in the Berkshires for almost 150 years. A local journalist described the area in The Pittsfield Sun on June 9, 1880 as follows:
We step out upon the extension of the building where we obtain a beautiful and complete view of the lake, north and south, on the opposite shore the woods all lovely in their deepest red from the top of the great hills down to the very edge of the water, the shore on that side extends in almost a straight line, but on the side where we are it has many short curves. With the exception of the large bull frogs which make sounds peculiar to themselves as they lie extended on the pond lily leaves, all the surroundings of this lake have an air of quietude which is truly refreshing to all seeking rest from the labors of the farm or counting house. . .
In addition to running the summer retreat, Van Bramer also continued to oversee the mills and run a successful farm including fruit trees, a dairy cow, chickens, and cultivated fields. When the property was sold to William and Florence Siter in 1924, this agricultural and industrial history were lost with the demolition of the mills and development of the campsites and bungalows. In 1958 the park was purchased and the campground further expanded by Helen and Bill Carroll into a true vacation destination and entertainment venue utilized and loved by not only visitors to the Berkshires, but Egremont residents as well.
Recently purchased from the Palmatier family by Ian Rasch and Roman Montano of Alander Construction, the Cliff House will revert back to a dining and recreation facility for the complex following the next trend as a “glamping” resort for the “almost rich and perhaps not so famous” fun seekers and vacations of today. On behalf of the historical commission, we hope these renovations will be historically sensitive to the original architecture of the building and in keeping with the Prospect Lake community and almost 150-year history of the property.
References
1. Egremont 1756
2. Leveille, Gary; Eye of Shawenon
3. The Berkshire Edge; Gary Leveille, “THEN & NOW: Prospect Lake Park and Cliff House” 8/16/21