Plaque on Rabbit Island.

Tuberculin Rabbit Shrine

Paul Smiths, New York

Died 1876

On Rabbit Island, on Upper Saint Regis Lake, there is a plaque bolted to a rock, known as the Tuberculin Rabbit Shrine. The shrine was commemorated in 1972, and honors Edward Livingston Trudeau, a man who injected rabbits with tuberculosis in the 1880s. By leaving them on the island, he discovered "the importance of environment" in treating the disease. Rabbit Island is privately owned and "tourists aren't encouraged."

Edward Trudeau was the great-grandfather of Gary "Doonsbury" Trudeau.

Also see: Roadside Pet Cemetery

Tuberculin Rabbit Shrine

Address:: Hwy 30, Paul Smiths, NY
Directions:: Rabbit Island is in the channel connecting Upper St Regis and Spitfire Lakes. It is a private island, but the memorial plaque may be easily viewed from the water. There is a public boat launch at Paul Smiths College at the junction of Hwys 86 and 30. From there make your way across the water to the south end of Lower St. Regis Lake, through the channel, then to the south end of Spitfire Lake, where you'll see tiny Rabbit Island. Private property - viewable from boat.
Admission:: Free

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In the region:

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