Lake Placid murals turn Highlands history into a walk

Lake Placid found a simple way to make local history easy to notice: put it on the walls.

The Lake Placid Mural Society began the project in 1992. More than 40 large murals now turn buildings around town into an outdoor gallery. The scenes recall local people, work, wildlife, and events instead of using one theme for every wall.

Some murals include hidden items or sound. That turns a downtown walk into a small treasure hunt without losing the history behind the picture. Decorated trash containers and bird plaques add more details between the larger walls.

The art is spread through town, so there is no single doorway or admission desk. That makes it easy to begin, but a map helps visitors avoid missing a side street or walking farther than planned in the heat.

Use the current mural map to choose a route that fits the weather and the group. Leave enough time to read the individual stories, because the murals work better as a walk through Lake Placid than as a windshield checklist.