ADK Talks
ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.
We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.
But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.
And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.
So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.
You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.
ADK Talks
Adirondack True Crime: The Murder at Big Moose Lake
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More than a century ago, a quiet Adirondack lake became the setting for one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history.
In this episode of ADK Talks, we dive into the tragic case of Chester Gillette and Grace Brown—a story of ambition, deception, love, and murder that unfolded at Big Moose Lake in the early 1900s. What began as a secret romance in a Cortland skirt factory ended in a chilling act that captivated the nation and still lingers in Adirondack lore today.
Joined by the Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS), we explore not just the crime itself, but the people behind it, the cultural ripple effects, and why this case continues to fascinate more than 100 years later.
This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week, we step inside the historic Herkimer County Jail, where APPS investigates what may still remain.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- A secret romance leads to an unexpected pregnancy and rising tension.
- A trip to Big Moose Lake promises a new beginning but ends in tragedy.
- A rowboat, a remote bay, and a story that doesn’t quite add up.
- A sensational trial unfolds with love letters and national headlines.
- The case inspires a landmark novel and a classic Hollywood film.
- A closer look at the mindset of Chester Gillette.
Resources:
- Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS)
- APT Alchemy Podcast (APPS Podcast)
- An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
- Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited by Craig Brandon
- The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette (edited by Jack Sherman & Craig Brandon
- Film: A Place in the Sun (starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift)
Produced by NOVA