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“The Catskills: Its History and How it Changed America” is one of the most important books ever written about the history of the region and should be on every local history buff’s bookshelf.
Books about local history always make great gifts
With another holiday season nearly here, it is time for this column’s annual reminder that books about Sullivan County’s rich and colorful history always make great gifts, but especially … more
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December 5, 2023 Edition
140 Years Ago - 1883 Peter Weismann last week found an Indian tomahawk on his farm a mile north of Callicoon (Callicoon Center). The edge was protruding from the soil in a field that had never … more
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The story of the rise and fall of the Columbia Hotel is just one of many to be covered by Sullivan County Historian John Conway when he narrates the 7th Annual Hurleyville History Hike on the west side of the Milk Train Trail at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 2.
The 7th annual Hurleyville History Hike
Hurleyville businessman John Harms Knapp and his wife, Mary C. Brophy Knapp founded the Columbia Farms Hotel on the summit overlooking the hamlet in 1891. Locals, not convinced the business would … more
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November 28, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 The store of Martin Weyrauch of Thumansville was broken into last night and a number of articles were stolen. Ground was broken last week for the second track … more
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Bart Charlow’s book, “A Catskill Carnival” is now available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions.
“We were carnies…”
In August of 2015, the Liberty Museum and Arts Center’s 14th annual conference on the history of the Catskills was entitled, “Small but Grand Hotels: The Backbone of the Catskills Tourism … more
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Thanksgiving Thoughts: Postmarked in 1910, this card is signed “from Grandma” on the reverse. A handwritten note includes, “All are well.” We hope the same can be said of our readers as we celebrate this harvest season. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and happy day of Thanksgiving!
November 21, 2023 Edition
130 Years Ago - 1893   George H. Smith, the newly elected county judge and surrogate of Sullivan County, is 29 years of age. For one so young, he must be considered extremely fortunate. In … more
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For decades, deer hunting has provided a much needed boost to Sullivan County’s off-season economy.
A record low
It was late November in 1959, and Sullivan County officials were lamenting a very slow start to deer hunting season, which had traditionally provided a much needed economic boost to the … more
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November 14, 2023 Edition
140 Years Ago - 1883 James Wilson of Egypt purchased 15 sheep at the sale of Ira Clute. On his way home with them, he lost one and on arriving home, the flock to his great surprise contained 27. … more
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This columnist (foreground right), your Sullivan County Historian, will lead another Highland History Hike at the Minisink Battleground Park at 2 p.m. on November 11.
The Highland History hike at the Minisink Battleground
Absent a standing professional Army in 1775, America’s first battles during its War for Independence, at Lexington and Concord, were fought almost entirely by members of the militia. At the … more
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November 7, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 DeWitt Knapp, proprietor of the Cochecton House at Cochecton, advertised boarding by the day or week. Conveyances furnished. August Grouten was proprietor of the … more
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Dr. Ralph S. Breakey
The country doctor
He was born in 1891 in Hurd Settlement in the town of Bethel, and graduated from Monticello High School, New York University, and Bellevue Hospital. He began practicing medicine in 1917, and was … more
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October 31, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 The Hancock Cornet Band will give a grand vocal and orchestral entertainment at Harmonie Hall, Callicoon Depot, next Friday evening. Mrs. Peter Wagner of … more
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The Black Dog by Stephen Crane.
A night of spectral terror
In October of 1899, Stephen Crane’s short novel, “Active Service” was published to mixed reviews. The book’s tepid reception by both critics and the public was a major … more
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October 24, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating, as wiser by always reading. The United States steamer Juanita has arrived at St. John, Newfoundland … more
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October 17, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 Hunters’ hounds are receiving a thorough training preparatory of next winter’s hunt. This season will prove to be an unbearable one for some bears. … more
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The Flagler Hotel in Fallsburg as it appeared in 1964.
A new marker for old falls
The long defunct Flagler Hotel in Fallsburg had a rich tradition as one of Sullivan County’s premier resorts, and for decades was a trendsetter in the industry. After operating for decades … more
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October 10, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 Mr. Henry Rose informs us that the bridge which is situated near his residence is in sad need of repair. P. Jacobs of Youngsville has assumed the directorship of … more
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October 3, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 Mr. A.P. Childs, formerly of the Record, has charge of the Youngsville District School. This seminary is classed among the best around here and the District is to be … more
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The suspension bridge at Pond Eddy was destroyed in the Great Pumpkin Flood of October, 1903.
Delaware River Floods
The heavy late September rains that are still falling as this column is being written are a stark reminder of the destruction floods have caused along the Delaware River over the years. For … more
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Springs at White Sulphur: Glass plate negatives in a collection at the Sullivan County Historical Society’s archives in Hurleyville have contained mostly unlabeled images. A closer look at one plate reveals lettering apparently etched into the rocks: “White Sulphur Springs of New York.” The rest of the letters are tough to decipher. In 1916, the mineral springs in the hamlet of White Sulphur Springs was reviewed by Dr. Felix van Oefele of New York City who suggested that the owner at the time, Mrs. Ada Maffett, might develop it as a health resort.
September 26, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 Mr. Wales of Pike Pond, County Republican Chairman, attended a convention in Saratoga where he met an old associate, George William Curtis, chairman of the … more
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Francis “Stretch” Hanofee.
Political infighting nothing new
It was late September in 1965, and the Sullivan County Democratic Committee was in complete disarray. As the party prepared for its reorganizational meeting at the Hotel Lenape in Liberty on … more
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September 19, 2023 Edition
140 Years Ago - 1883 Wish to buy apples for cider and will pay fifteen cents per bushel for good cider apples delivered at my mill. A   Grouten. A special meeting of Frasier Post 361, … more
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September 12, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 The Fremont Union Schuetzen Verein will meet at Fremont Center on Wednesday, September 10. This society already musters   60 members and is now very popular in … more
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The race for the assembly, 1965
For many years, September meant primary day in political circles, and often the campaigns waged in anticipation of those elections were more heated— and sometimes more consequential— than … more
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Ferndale’s marketplace: This intersection in the town of Liberty has changed a few times. The hamlet was known as Liberty Falls in its early days, but with the advent of train service, the name was causing havoc with the mail, and so it is said the name was changed to Ferndale. The grist mill and original stone bridge are evident in this postcard from the early 1900s. The chimney on the left is a reminder of the tannery that was once located in the hamlet, of which nothing remains. The mill pond, which was drained away long ago, was fed by the Middle Mongaup River which still wends its way through the town en route to Swinging Bridge Reservoir.
September 5, 2023 Edition
150 Years Ago -   1873 The Hankins nitroglycerin factory has suspended operations. More than 800 people were in town on Fair Day in Jeffersonville. The Hortonville Paper Factory … more
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