On a crisp September morning, the kind where the mist clings to the Adirondacks before giving way to sunlight, Lake George looks like a sheet of glass. Locals call it the “Queen of American Lakes,” and with good reason. But floating just off Bolton Landing is something rarer than the views themselves: a private, seven-bedroom estate on 14 Mile Island that’s now up for sale—for the first time in more than 60 years—at $10.8 million.
“It’s the kind of property you never want to leave,” listing agent Crystal Staepal told me, with the sort of reverence usually reserved for works of art. She’s not exaggerating. Among the lake’s 186 islands, only a small fraction are privately owned. Even fewer ever hit the market. This one? It’s part estate, part time capsule, and part architectural marvel.
A Legacy Born in the 19th Century
Before it was a family retreat, 14 Mile Island lived a different life. In the 1800s, it was a seasonal hotel, a stop for vacationers seeking Adirondack air and lake views. By the early 1900s, William Beardsley, a prominent New Yorker, had something else in mind.
He brought in architect John W. Ingle, who famously camped on the island to study how the light fell and how the breeze moved before putting pen to paper.
The result? A summer residence that seems to breathe with its surroundings. Clerestory windows in the great room capture phases of the moon and funnel fresh air through the house.
The wide southern porch—17 stone pillars strong—was deliberately set apart from the house to make sure sunlight hit just right. “History and architecture come together here in such a beautiful way,” Staepal said. “It’s not just a home; it’s a legacy.”
Handcrafted Elegance
Walking into the main residence feels like stepping back, but not backward. Post-and-beam craftsmanship holds up soaring spaces, and a two-story stone fireplace anchors the great room in the kind of warmth money can’t replicate.
The porch deserves its own mention: 3,000 square feet of curve, framed in locally quarried Shelving Rock stone. The kind of space where you can imagine long Adirondack evenings—wine glasses catching the sunset while the loons start calling.
Then there’s the boathouse, which isn’t just a boathouse. It holds two-bedroom guest quarters and earned the 2019 Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award for its meticulous restoration.
It’s the kind of detail that tells you the Finley family, who’ve owned the property since 1960, weren’t just caretakers. They were stewards.
A Shoreline Unlike Any Other
Here’s where the numbers get jaw-dropping. Most Lake George homes stretch along 100 to 300 feet of shoreline. This island? Try 2,600. That’s nearly half a mile of uninterrupted privacy.
Add in a private lagoon, a gazebo, and views of Dome Island, Tongue Mountain, and Black Mountain, and you start to understand why Staepal calls it a once-in-a-lifetime buy.
And just when you think you’ve heard it all, there’s this: the island has its own FAA-registered seaplane base. That means, yes, you can land a private seaplane right at your doorstep. It’s the sort of flourish that feels like it belongs in a Gatsby chapter, except it’s real.
Remote, Yet Not Removed
One of the most surprising things about 14 Mile Island is how connected it still is. A quick boat ride gets you to Bolton Landing, a village known for boutique shops, restaurants, and the storied Sagamore Resort. From there, it’s an easy drive to Saratoga Springs, Vermont, or even across the border to Canada.
That balance—seclusion with access—is part of what makes the estate unique. It’s a place that feels like an escape but doesn’t cut you off from the pulse of the Northeast.
The Price of Rarity
At $10.8 million, this estate isn’t just about square footage or acreage. It’s about scarcity. Private islands on Lake George rarely change hands, and when they do, it’s usually behind closed doors. This one is public, and that makes it a headline.
The Finleys held onto the island for more than six decades, proof of how hard it is to let something like this go. For the next owner, the investment isn’t only financial. It’s about becoming part of the story of Lake George itself.
FAQs:
How many islands are privately owned on Lake George?
Out of 186 islands, only a handful are privately owned, and even fewer are ever listed for sale.
What makes the architecture of the estate unique?
Architect John W. Ingle designed the home after studying the island’s light and air patterns, creating features like clerestory windows and an offset porch for maximum natural beauty.
Who are the current owners of 14 Mile Island?
The Finley family purchased the estate in 1960 from the original Beardsley family and have maintained it for over 60 years.
