Captain George Westcott, my 4th cousin 4 times removed, purchased 190 acres along Lake Ontario in 1851. The 12-room farmhouse he built overlooking the property’s 300 foot beach is used today as a park office and park police office.
After an accident in 1863, Captain Westcott died, leaving his farm to his wife and sons. A grandson eventually resided there and operated the place for bathing purposes until 1945. In 1946, 170 acres of the original farm were sold to the state of New York for $30,000. The park was officially opened and dedicated by Governor Thomas E. Dewey in June 1950.
For more information check out this 1954 article: Old Houses in the North Country
Footloose & Fancy Free 