Since pre-historic times, this route served Indian hunting and war parties traveling between the north country and the southern region of New York State. The area was once considered the key to domination of Colonial North America, and French, English, and American armies often engaged one another in a deadly struggle for control of this state. Once isolated and considered desolate, the northern reaches of the state were inhabited by trappers, lumbermen, and miners. The Adirondack Mountains served as America’s earliest source of raw material for its infant industry. In more recent times, wealthy magnates used these mountains and lakes as a millionaire’s resort paradise, and travel, tourism, and commerce increased the steady flow of humanity moving over this important way north.