p i •lisle Ceiitj^r l>-o-is/ X- Y:__. T^,.7 J-'; L-S'Kfr (V) '0 % ji^Yinr^ ' ■ r\ / /* E sWvo Rn|) I/AVt^vJ;**^ (v^ _^ V Milford I X)i [ .,-,..V :•.-/;■■; Vi, ^ilbilii')^. S T A H-F R -x3(. ^>v^ The 0niv,4ii. 1(^11, I^ouTE To Tut CATTSO^aiLIL MldDlUI^TrAai^So' Scal«2 — !i_J i J i 'i i i^ ^ „., !■/, M.H. loOn. Inc h. ' "''"•■ ULSTER & DEL.R, R.^" OTHER RAILROADS "^1 COUNTRY ROADS. GnOitMilU . ^.. Jff/^ a idc ubur Ji j7 ^::: i i 4 _^- THIS book is issued by the Passenger Department of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Company. It is devoted to descriptive matter pertaining to the Catskill Mountains ; their structure, history and development as a Summer Resort; the sanitary advantages of sum- mer life in the dry air of high mountain regions; the absolute need of rest and vacation for the busy workers in the city nd town ; the scenic beauties and wildwood charms so lavishly spread for the de- lectation of every visitor. It also contains much general information regarding the leading points of interest throughout the range ; what and where they are, how to reach them and what to look for. In fact, it is an accurate guide book to the regions reached by this mountain railway system. COPYRIGHTED igoi, BY A. SIMS, GENERAL PASSENGER AGENT, ULSTER & DELAWARE R. R. *^I^ With the exception of the points reached by the railroads, the" altitudes given in this book are in accordance with Prof. Guyot, who was the first to make accurate measurements of the Catskills a few years ago. PRESS OF KINGSTON FREEMAN, RONDOUT, N. Y. [ Mountains The most picturesque :^MountainHiononthe(5loDe., V RAILROAD Q y ./-.r^C ^ . ¥ ^ [dwardCoykendall. N.ASims. ' n'ft''"-RONDOUT.N.Y. p. Author, I J Ag*01 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS AND THE ULSTER AND DELA- WARE SYSTEM SUMMER REST AND WHERE TO FIND IT— SCENIC BEAUTY AND SANITARY ADVANTAGES— THE ONLY ALL-RAIL. STANDARD GAUGE ROUTE AND THROUGH CAR UNE.Jt^j^.Jt^.j^^^^Jt^^^^-^-^-^J*-J*^^^ " It seems to me I'd like to go Where bells don't ring, nor whistles blow, Nor clocks don't strike, nor gongs don't sound. And I'd have stillness all around. Not real still stillness, but just the trees' Low whisperings or the hum of bees. Or brooks' faint babbling over stones In strangel>-, softly tangled tones. Or ma_\be a cricket or katydid. Or the songs of birds in the hedges hid. Or just sOme such sweet sounds as these, Tjfill a tired heart with ease. Sometimes it seems to me I must Just quit the city's din and dust And get out where the sky is blue. And, sav, now, how does it seem to you ?" There is a science of summer rest, and the o M lyi tyi p D sooner this fact is reahzed and reckoned ■with, R EST i-ito . . ^Y]Q better it will be for all those who live in the temperate zones. In the United States the vacation habit has now g-rown chronic and confirmed among- all classes. And yet it is surprising- that so few of these intelligent American millions fully comprehend the real lesson of the doctrine of rest. Men and women in every walk of life, rich and poor alike, hustle along day after day through the busy months of each vear between store or office and the home or clul), in quest of the elusive dollar and the happiness and pleasure it may bring. Few ever stop to estimate the pace or measure the speed of their activities. It is a restless energy that per- vades this land of ours and we rarely spare the time to look into the faces of our neighbors at home or abroad, or study their methods of life. The frail arteries of our existence are continually distended by the pressure ot individual effort 6 theGcatskill mountains. toward supremacy and conquestover jostling- rivals on every side. It is an ambitious ag-e in vvliich we live. But rather than seek to abate the noble energ-ies and activities that so proudly characterize this epoch, shall we not learn to g-lean the fuel with which to feed the consuming- fires of thisg-lorious ambition, from the ample storehouses of nature in the wisest way? The careful conservation of vital force is the impera- tive lesson of the hour. Greater economy in the use and control of our bodies and brains is strictly enjoined. These houses of clay were not made to run at hig-h pressure all the time. Nor will an ample supply of food suffice to repair all the waste. There must be stated periods of relaxation, recreation and absolute rest. Lost streng-th and vitality can be reg-ained in no other way. A breath of Nature, uncon- taminated by the dreg-s of city civilization, is the unfailing- panacea. The flabby muscles and pale cheeks, the feeble respiration and the exhausted brain, all these beckon us away to the g-reen hills and valleys. " Where the long, rustling curtains of generous trees Hide the town with its cares and its folly ; Where the low, drowsy song of the loitering bees Drown out the buzz of the trolley." cathedral gorge, n?:ar brown's station. THK CATSKILL MOUXTAINS. NEED OF CHANGE. Another important aspect of the summer rest is the absolute need of chang-e ; a chang-e of scene, thoug-ht and action. This is a dominant impulse in every human breast. No matter how salutary or delig-htful the normal environment mav be, there is a monot- onous routine which should be broken in upon. Whether in the line of untiring- Uibor, dig-nified leisure, or consuming- idle- ness, the need is the same. We must run away from bricks and mortar, the noise and dirt of the town and all its pleas- ures as well, for a time, and g-o out among- the hills and rocl\s, the g-reen trees and fields, the waving- meadows and orchards, the wild flowers and the filmy ferns, and bathe in the fresh air and pure sunshine of the country, where the brooks and the birds and the leaves whisper in loving- tryst. To many this is yet a strang-e g-ospel, but thousands are be- g-inning- to realize that this summer vacation should bring- not only a chang-e of scene, but chang-e of habit. They spend A PRETTY SPOT, NEAR WEST DAVENPORT, w - CO 10 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. hours daily in the cool shadows of forest pines where the wind whispers softest and the bees drone drowsily amongr the low, white blossoms of the wood flowers. To such even the latest novel has no appeal, and the lesson of life, for the moment, is to do nothing- and be nothing-. In the g-reat still- ness of nature, peace and health g-o hand in hand, soothing- the relaxed muscles with the subtle touch of new power ; and in the delicious land of day-dreams, the brain, sung- al- most to sleep by the hushed crooning-s of the cool breeze among- the tree-tops, g-rows young- and strong- ag-ain. In the quiet of the g-rand cathedral of its Maker, even the soul for- g-ets the battles, the down-falls, the cuts and scars of life's g-reat contest and becomes something- purer, strong-er and more worthy of its orig-in. But for the vast majority who- hurry away to the country in the early summer and return in the autumn, vainly imag-ining- they have had a summer's rest, such results are quite unknown. In support of this theory of chang-e of air and scene, may we not draw a lesson from the ro- bust health and vig-orof the no- madic Gypsy tribe, who wander from place to place? There are also biolog-ical laws which may account in some measure for the salutary effects of such chang-e. The epoch of man's whole exist- ence upon the earth having- been so larg-ely dominated by his roving- habits as a savag-e hunter, with no iixed place of abode, is it not reasonable to suppose that such habits, prevalent for ag-es, would be likely to leave a lasting- impress on every cell and fibre of the human frame ?" It is therefore not improbable that a partial renewal of the conditions to which his constitution was orig-inally adapted may contribute to a recovery of a normal state of health. THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 11 WHERE TO GO. . . . To thousands this is a momentous question that comes up for a new solution with each recurring- season. When one thinks he has reached a final conclusion at the end of his vacation by decid- ing- never to g-o to that place ag-ain, the intervening- winter is very apt to dispel the notion, and he either goes back to the same locality or begins to wrestle with the question anew. Surely the subject is -one of vital importance, and yet how common it is to consider only two or three of the secondary elements of the problem. A hasty comparison of prices, wnth the scenic and social attractions offered, the methods and cost of access, and the decision is made. Too often this results in ab- solute failure and dissatis- faction, and the victim re- turns to his home disgust- ed with his waste of time and money., not only, but really tired out and utter- ly unfitted for work. The monetarv as- pect of the va- cation, essen- tial as it is, should never l)e allowed to overshadow the main ob- ject for which rest is actual- SHANTY Hor.LOw, ^>' ^'^quired. NEAK HUNTEK. t4 W o H O < THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. i; What manner of chanj^e do I need most? This is the great question to decide, and it is the easiest of the whole lot. An absolute chang-e of air is the inevitable response which conies in asthmatic g-asps from the exhausted lung-s, half clog-ged by the organic atoms of the polluted city atmosphere. What you need is air at first-hand. For months you have been breathing- a second-hand, warmed-over air whose iden- tity and history you were fully content to leave in obscurity, sniffing- a bit here and there, catching a whiff now and then as it floats out to sea for purification. Now you must pack your g-rip and flee to the distilleries of the skies, where the mystic breezes fling out their banners of invig-orating- wel- come, and Nature sits enthroned to dispense her choicest gifts. And this bring^s us to the consideration of altitude, the hygienic importance of which, as a factor in the summer vacation, is now so universallv conceded. ON THK SUSQUEHANNA, NEAR ONEONTA. o '^ o o THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 15 For years past we have found that THE IIVlPOKTANUc yig-Qj- ^nd tone was imparted by a ^^ ALTITUDE .... sojourn at mountain resorts a few thousand feet above the sea. First came the exhilarating- effect and afterward the more positive and potential invigor- ation which seemed to renew lost tissues and repair old ones. But the exact processes were not so easy to explain scientifi- cally. It was discovered years ago that the blood of animals living- in the higher altitudes absorbed more oxygen than those on the lower levels. Next, that his blood was richer in the coloring matter (haemoglobin), and also that the num- ber of red corpuscules was greatly augmented. Bearing in mind that the blood absorbs oxygen in the lungs and trans- fers it to the tissues of the body by means of these red cor- puscules, the advantages of this increase of oxygen and its tiny carriers is at once apparent. The microbes of disease, which may have secured lodgment by any previous insani- tary condition of life, or by the exhausting cares and labors of business, are thus displaced and destroyed by this better nutrition of the body, and you are far better fortified to with- stand any future assaults of this destructive nature. Such is an outline of the latest theory on this subject, which has now been accepted by the best medical authorities. And the practical lesson of it all is, beyond any question, that the best summer resort for the average dweller of the cities and plains, in every hygienic aspect of the case, is the higher altitudes, the mountainous regions of the country. In view of this fact how strange it seems that residents of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other seaboard cities, especially, should be content to summer at the beach resorts. Evidently their faith in a radical change of air is not great, and they have yet to learn the modern ethics of summer rest. Having fed their lungs for months upon the saline humidity of old Ocean, they are content to spend their vacations rolling- in the saliferous sand and cavorting in the briny surf, breath- ing a condensed edition of the same old air. swallowing tbeir share of the fogs, and waging an unequal combat with the depraved and rapacious mosquito. Many are beguiled by the cool and refreshing sea breezes, hoping to receive the IN THE WOODLAND VALLEY. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 17 same benefits as a like temperature at the inland mountain reg-ions would bestow. But such is not the fact, as has been already shown, nor is it borne out by the results of a sing-le practical test. The old notion of as- cribing- all the beneficial effects of summer mountain life to the reduced temperature is exploded. Careful in vestig^ation has revealed other, and more important ing-redients in this mountain prescription. The cool air of the inland hills is a far differ- ent article from that found at the shore. Instead of the saturated product of moisture and con- densation, the air is dry and strong- from the rarefying- process- es peculiar to the ^^»^ laboratories of the ■• -,«t, skies. - '1 n '' "You fellers from the country— you keep away from town. If you don't want to unsettle things and get us upside down ; For you always leave a memory of the meadows and the streams An' I straightway get to wishin' and to fishin' in my dreams. You fellers from the country — when you strike me at my desk. The room begins to blossom an' (he street looks picturesque : And the roarin' of the city, with its engines an' its bells, Seems to melt into the music of the mountains and the dells. You fellers from the countr\- — you get so much of life — So little of its sorrow, of its tears, and of its strife. That I want to get off with you and just riot in your joy And wade in your cool branches, like I used to when a boy.' U.fHciS braix: K- 'V* y, ON THE BEVERKILL. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 19 As the observant reader may already THE CATSKILL ^^^^^ surmised from the perusal of the IVIOUNTAINb. . . preceding- pag-es, all reference to moun- tains in this little work, means specifically the Catskill Mountains, the historic Catskills ; the most picturesque and healthful mountain region on the globe. Even thoug-h the facile pens of Irving- and Cooper had never been dipped into the fabled realm, nor the inspired brushes of Cole and Mc- Entee never essayed to depict its marvelous wealth of scenic charms ; the fame of the Catskills was securely enshrined on the scroll of destiny. Made in a day, the to\\ering- crag-s g-row in beauty and g-randeur as the cycles of eternity roll silently on. Ever eloquent in their Creator's praise, they reach out a beckoning- hand to enervated men and women the world over ; to the discourag-ed and faltering- worker, the unfortunate idler and the successful man of business. All alike may here stand above the turmoils and the irksome pleasures of life and compare the boasted achievements of men with the mig-htv spectacle of earth and sky, which now fills the soul with awe and impresses one anew with his own insig-nificance. Little need be said perhaps concern- WHERE AND WHAT !„. the location and structure of this THEYARE • most interesting- g-roup of moun. tains. For thirty years and more the reg-ion has been be- fore the public as a summer resort, and thousands of ad- miring- visitors have journeyed to and fro each year. But there are many other thousands who have never yet seen the locality, and for these this book is mainly written. The modern processes of the pictorial art have indeed made some of the scenery familiar the world over, and with much pleas- ing- and artistic accuracy. This cannot, however, be said so unreservedly of the vast mass of descriptive matter which has appeared in the pul)lic press from time to time. Much of this was mere imag-inary drivel, misleading- and fictitious, betraying- the writer's unfamiliarity with his subject. In fact one of our modern encyclopedias locates the entire rang-e in Greene county, while it really traverses larg-e parts of Ulster, Delaware and Schoharie counties as well, Ulster having- per- THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 21 haps the larg-est share. Another encyclopedic writer says the rang-e is drained chiefly by the Catskill creek, while the fact is, that stream reaches only the eastern slope and does not begin to equal in importance the Esopus creek, which rises forty miles in the interior, not to mention the Schoharie creek, or the branches of the Delaware river. These mountains are a spur of the great Appalachian system which extends along- the Atlantic coast from Maine to Alabama. They cover a superficial area of some 2400 square miles, and their g-eneral trend is from southeast to northwest or at rig-ht ang-les to every other g-roup in this system. Coming- up the Hudson, they burst into vision about ninety miles from the mouth of that river, and from eig-ht to ten milesfromthe western shore at King-ston. Here they rise abruptly from the base over3, 000 feet in the air for miles along- the eastern face, there be- ing- innumer- able peaks, in the interior, threeof which are over 4,000 feet in heig-nt. These peaks vary materi- ally in physi- cal structure and plastic form, and are geolog-ically NEAR MT. PLEASANT. 22 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. unlike ordinary mountain formations. Instead of the usual folds or frag-ments of arches, the rock is composed of piled up strata in the orig-inal horizontal position. A SECTION OF MATTICE FALLS. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 23 Just how and at what period of the • • . • earth's history these massive crag-s FORiVItl-). ^Ygi-g formed, is still a question for the Geolog"ist of the future. The theory of a high plateau or mass of elevations, is still adhered to by the best authorities, including" Prof. Arnold Guyot, the learned scientist who made more careful investigation and personal examination of the Catskills than any other man of modern times. He believed that in prehistoric ages the earth contained ten-fold more water than now, and therefore in that antediluvian epoch, water was the mighty agent in shaping the earth's surface. Glacial action is clearly indicated all through the range, some thirteen distinct visitations of this mighty pro- pelling force, peculiar to the early ages of the world, having- been traced. Other writers incline to the theory of upheaval from volcanic or other causes. Pint even they must resort to the doctrine of erosion as a subsequent or iinal process, in order to account for the various phenomenal forms here pre- sented. The vast masses of conglomerate present all the conditions of quicksand as it existed just prior to its conver- sion into stone. Thus at variance in trend, and other geological features, with the parent system, the Catskills must be regarded as anomalous also in plastic formation, being due to erosive forces, and not to the ordinary process which has folded and shaped the other parts of the system. " The white clouds are like pictures in a breathin' frame o' blue, An' the sunbeams are a shootin' all their siher arrows through, An' its June-time in the country, an' its June-time in the town, An' the mockin' birds are singin' and the blossoms rainin' down ! It's June-time in the Catskills. and happy folks are we, With the brook ;;-dashin', splashin", an' the winds a-blowin' free I An' the sun is climbin' higher, an' the nights are full o' moon. An' a fellers soul is dancin' to the melodies o' June ! ni^. ?>. THE MOKNING MAIL. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 25 Thev are divided into two groups by TOPOGRAPHICAL ^^^ Esopus creek. The northern DIVISIONS g^roup lies between the Esopus and Catskill creeks, and extends from southeast to northwest in the form of an irregular parallelog-ram. This is shut in be- tween two h\gh border chains, ten or fifteen miles apart. That on the southw^est is known as the central chain, or back- bone of the entire g^roup, extending- from Overlook Mountain on the east to Mount Utsayantha on the west, a distance of over thirty-five miles. The other is the northeast border chain. The southeast end is closed by the short chain of High Peak; the northwestern by the hig-h swell of plateaus which divide the head-waters of the Delaware and Susque- hanna from those of the Schoharie and the Hudson. A striking- peculiarity of this northern group is, that while its western end seems buried in the g-eneral plateaus of west- ern New York the mountains there rising- but moderately above their base, its eastern end stands isolated on three «ides by deep and broadly open valleys, projecting- in all its heig-ht as a mig-hty promontory to within ten miles of the Hudson. This presents the imposing- scene from that river. The Schoharie creek and its tributaries furnish the entire drainag-e for the interior hig-hlands of the Catskills proper. This drainage which sends the waters all the way around to the Mohawk, to come back by the Hudson, after a course of 175 miles, to within ten miles of their starting- point, is cer- tainly remarkable, and shows a very peculiar ph3'sical struc- ture. " They come ! the merry summer months of beauty, song and flowers They come ! the gladsome months that bring thick leafiness to bowers. Up, up. my heart ! and walk abroad ; fling work and care aside : Seek silent hills, and rest thyself where crystal waters glide ; Or, underneath the shadow vast of patriarchal tree, Seen through its leaves the cloudless sky is rapt tranquility." THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 27 The precise orig-in of the name " Cats- ORIGIN OF THE kin^" is somewhat obscure. Somewrit- NAME. , , , , gj.g j^ver that it was derived from the catamounts which infested the reg-ion, and Irving- was among- those sponsors. But there is scant authority or reason for this assumption. The name is found spelled in numerous ways in the ancient records, such as "Kaatskill," "Kaaters- kill," "Katskill," "Cauterskill," "Cautskill," etc. It is be- lieved to have been first applied during the Dutch domination over two centuries ago. And if this assumption is correct, ..1^^ ■nil'; i)i:i.A\\AK'ii; kivkk NEAK BLOOMVILLK, Kaatskill or Kaaterskill, would seem to be the proper or- thography. The "kill, " being Dutch for channel or creek. '•Kaat, " is also Dutch for cat, but the unusual abundance of the feline species, either wild or domestic, is not well estab- lished. The Indians are said to have called the mountains •' Ontiora," meaning- hills of the sky, where the Great Spirit of Manitou'dwelt and ruled the elements of earth and sky. And there seems no very good reason for ever having- aban- doned that poetic and appropriate title. " Summer is here, and the morning is gay, Let us be children together to-da.\-, Sorrow's a myth, and our troubles^^but seem. The past is an echo, the future a dream. THK CA'l SKILL MOUNTAINS. 2<> Concerning- the early history of this charming-^ PRiIVltVAL tnountain reg-ion, or its people, the records HISTORY, ^^g strang-ely silent and incomplete. P>ven the voice of tradition ventures cautiously in the corridors of the remote and prehistoric past. But this only serves to in- vest the locality with new enchantment and interest, and the embers of speculation are readily fanned into life by such breezes from an unknown realm of romance. Whether it was Henry Hudson, Verrazano, Gomez, or some earlier navigator, who first sailed up the Hudson river, which was then called " Cohohatatia, " by the Indians, mean- ing- river of the mountains, is now open^to question. But it is sufficient to note here that when Hudson first ventured up the noble stream in 1609 in his quaint Dutch ship, the attractions of the Cats kills were such that he was in- duced to cast anchor and make a short in- spection. He was re- ceived with marked hospitality by the Iro- quois Indians, then in possession of the re- g-ion. Into their rude bark hut, which was stored with corn and beans, they took the curious navig-ator and his small party of sail- ors. Upon the g-round floor, mats were spread in their honor, and here they par- took of food from a. CHURCHILL LAKB, STAMFORD. THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 31 larg-e wooden bowl or tray. The flesh of a fattened dog-, which had been killed for the feast, was among- the tempting- viands prepared for the white visitors, who seem to have been in no hurry to return to their ship. The record then closes with this quaint, aborig-inal scene and docs not re-open until sixty-nine years later; leaving- us to assume that the region remained in the peaceful possession of the red men during- that long- period. But this was the dawn of the Dutch occupation. On the eig-hth of July, 1678, the purchase of a larg-e portion of this mountain region was effected by a com- pany of Dutch and Eng-lish g-entlemen. The conference was held at the Stadt Huis in Albany, where Mahak-Neminaw, the ruling- Indian chief, and six leading men of his tribe had g-athered for the purpose. Various trinkets and trifles of stupendous value in the eyes of the noted red men, were g-iven them, and the title, with its wonderful hierog-lyphics, was passed. Soon after that the aborig-inal owners beg^an to disappear, retreating- to the Adirondack wilderness and the western part of the State. Their successors in the Catskills do not seem to have left many important records of their occupancy which can be relied upon. But- in place of such history we are endowed with a wealth of Indian lore and Dutch tradition which have made the region an enchanted shadow-land of leg-end and romance. " Queen of all lovely rivers, lustrous queen Of flowing waters in our sweet new lands. Rippling through sunlight to the ocean sands, Within a smiling vallev, and between Romantic shores of silvery summer green ; Memorial of wild days and savage hands, Singing the patient deeds of patriotic hands, Crooning of golden glorious years foreseen." THE I'^AMOUS KAATEKSKILL FALLS. THI-: CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 33 "If being- the best part of a mile in the air, and having views of farms and houses at your feet, BEAUTY •• • ^yitii rivers looking like ribbons, and mountains seeming to be haystacks of green g-rass under you, gives any satisfaction to a man, I can recommend the spot. When I first came into the woods to live I used to have weak spells, and I felt lonesome ; then I would g-o into the Catskills to spend a few days on that hill to look at the ways of man." These are the immortal words of " Leatherstocking-, " that most original character in fiction so aptly characterized by Carlyle as "the one melodious s^aiopsis of man and nature." Standing half way between savage and civilized life, hear him as he continues: " The river was in sight for seventy miles under my feet, looking like a curled shaving, though it was eight long miles to its banks. I saw the hills in the Hamp- shire grants, the Highlands of the river, and all that God had done, or man can do, as far as the eye could reach." Who can hope to equal the realistic eloquence of this simple description? See the mighty crags with their gig-an- tic ribs of rock, protruding here and there from the flesh of the mountain like Titanic fortresses against the assaults of ages ; their massive slopes clothed in cyclopean mantles of living green over which the sunshine and shadows of buried centuries have chased each other in cosmic glee. These yawning canyons, dark, deep and cool, where the shimmer- ing- trout streams babble among the gnarled roots and mossy boulders, to the echoing refrain of the lichen-clad walls of precipitous rock. Listen to the mellow cadence of Nature's breath fresh from the verdant throat of the mountain. There is naught to disturb the peaceful harmony of this Arcadian realm. See up yonder, at the head of the gorge in which you stand, that slender scarf of sparkling water, wearied at last with its winding career for many a mountain mile, or its dreamy life among the stones and roots of quiet pools, now leaping madly, beautifully over the jutting rock, down, down the precipice hundreds of feet, breaking into a sheeny shower of fleecy foam, sending up a crystal spray, which bedews the surrounding foliage and paints the rainbow across the slant- ing- sunbeams. Or, climb to the breez}^ crest that pierces 3 ONE OF THE DRIVES BETWEEN STAMFORD AND HOBART, THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 35 the clouds and bathe in the filmy vapor that flits up the mountain side and scuds past your face on the wing-s of the wind. Wrapped now in mist as in mid-ocean, anon the veil is lifted, the sun breaks throug-h, and you stand entranced at the marvelous beauty of the checkered valley which slum- bers beneath your feet. Or, at daybreak as the sun peers over the rim of the eastern hills and irradiates the sleeping- THE VALLEY AND THE MOUNTAINS NEAK PINE HILL.- landscape with amber and gold, painting in gorgeous hues the rolling, tumbling- masses of cloud far down over the quiet valley. And anon as the vapor lifts and scatters before the rays of the advancing sun, the scene becomes indescribably beautiful. Watch again as the angry little mid-day showers g-ather, break and finish their noisy career, far below the placid sunshine of the mountain-top which surrounds you. Or choose some one of the colossal boulders that lie strewn -around, as though dropped like a pebble from some mig-hty hand, and watch the gathering fury of a storm, which no THE CA'i SKILL MOUNTAINS. 37 THE MOUNTAIN AT HUNTER. inan need ever attempt to portray- And linally in the even- ing- twilig-ht, when " The Western sky has trimmed its skirts with ruffles all the way. And bias stripes of salmon pink and heliotrope and gray ; " as the receding- sun floods the earth in tranquil g-lory, and paints his transient banners on the easel of Night, you are lost in silent admiration. 'Splendors and blossoms and beauty, And a charm that cannot be told. For the days are exquisite poems Bound in the blue and the gold. Of the cloudless sky and the sunshine, And written in measures of light. They are full of the magical rhythm Which sweeps through the day and the night. Oh I the lyrics of dewy morning, And the sonnets of golden noon. And the love-songs, written in silver, That flow from the mxstical moon. Oh ! the beautiful star-lif nocturnes We mortals have called the night. That are played in the deep, minor measures. When the world has grown weary of light. Oh I tile glorious music and rhythm Of life - and the world— and the sky As they blend in a harmony blissful, That float to the Throne on High, THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 39 This is no long-er a problem of any HOW TO REACH mo^-nent, and few will need any ex- THE CATSKILLS. piidt directions. And yet there are uncomfortable, undesirable routes and methods which may easily be avoided by a little study of this book, which is larg-ely devoted to the details of the best route, the only throug-h car line and all-rail connection. For some fifty years after its summer charms were first discovered, the reg"ion remained practically inaccessible. There was a long- and tedious stage-ride from the river, over an atrocious road and up the steep mountain-side at a snail's pace, which was often attended with some danger, and it took a man of vigor and endurance to stand the trip. The steep and stonv miles, the jaded horses, and the lumbering old stages were pretty apt to awaken sympathies and feelings not wholly akin to the picturesque sublimity on every side, leaving scant time or mood to indulge his love for mountain g-randeur. Invalids, who would be most benefited by the change of air and scene were unable to make the ascent, the effects of which were so unlikely to be palliated or overcome by the scant facilities for accommodation and comfort then afforded on the mountain. But this was the condition of af- fairs in the Catskills, with slight improvements, down to 1870 when the iron-horse began to sniff the air of the hills. Here was a charming summer resort wholly undeveloped ; even the old Greene county section, which was about the only part known at all. The wildest and most charming region, lying- in the counties of Ulster and Delaware, was largely un- explored and completely inaccessible except to the sturdy hunters and bark-men. The great chain of mountains had never been entered on this side where the great popular and easy approach for the entire rang-e was destined to be. The g-iant Slide Mountain crag, which had overshadowed every other peak for countless ages, was practically unknown, and its superior height quite unsuspected. Thus the varied mag- nificence of this entrancing region which has now so greatly enhanced the fame of the Catskills, was vet to be revealed. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 41 AN IDEAL REGION FOR TROUT. . . . The brook trout, that princely mem- ber of the finny realm, finds a rare combination of favoring- conditions in the Catskills. The slopes and yalleys are profusely threaded ^vith streams of the coolest and purest crystal water, in which the speckled beauties disport with abounding- joy and content. The enthusiastic ang-ler may here cast his fly or "chuck his worm, " with such success as his knowledge, skill and patience may warrant. There are scores upon scores of miles of g-ood trout water still unpreempted by rapacious sportmen, where even the mountain lad, with his crooked pin and "vile earth worm " at the end of a bit of twine, ■often astounds the scientific disciple of Walton by his "luck." Who has not heard of Biscuit Brook, the Neversink streams, the head of the Rondout, the east and west branches of the Delaware, the Beaverkill, Dry Brook, Bushkill, Watson Hollow Brook, Emory Brook, Stony Clove Creek, Mink-Hollow Brook, the Big- Indian Valley streams and the Esopus Creek, which are lined with fishermen in the early summer? All these famous streams are in the Ulster & Delaware section of the rang-e, which has long- been the favorite fishing region. While the larg-e hotels are not yet open during- the early fishing- season, g-ood food and comfortable beds may be had at the smaller houses, unless one prefers to brinp- /'/AlCr 42 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS ONE OF THE TKOUT STKEAMS. a well-fitted tent and plenty of warm clothing- and blankets for camping- along- the streams. Then, too, unless the angler is content to live wholly upon trout, his camp life will imply a hamper of plain, substantial food, althoug-h this can usually be obtained at the little mountain stores. Successful trout-fishing- is the heig-ht of the ang-ler's am- bition. The careless bung-ler or happy-g-o-lucky wharf-fisher better stay out of the woods. The trout is keen-witted and g-amey, and can only be captured by preliminary deception and subsequent combat, with the odds against the finny com- batant. If the boys who have grown up along these streams often surprise and disgust the theoretical city fisherman by catching more trout than he does, with all his complicated outfit, it is simply because the urchin knows better how to- fish. It is skill, not luck, that counts. The lad is familiar with the habits of trout, knows where to find them, and how to deceive them with the least fuss and commotion. He never gets excited at the supreme moment, and rarely allows the biggest fish to escape. He will often find fish in water which has been whipped over for hours and abandoned by the city chap as finless. Thus it will often be easier and cheaper for the man of theories and gorgeous apparatus tO' buy his fish of the barefooted mountain lad than to catch THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 43 lOCHO LAKE, BUSHNKLIA'ILLIC CLOVE, NEAR SHANDAKEN. them, even thoug-h he may have come hundreds of miles to enjoy the sport of landing- the fish by his own skill and de- vises. But this fact only adds a keener zest to the efforts of the professional angler who studies the native methods with peculiar interest, and his skill is sure to be rewarded, while even the novice is sure to g-et unlimited exercise even thoug-h he fails to fill his creel with the savory victims of his theo- retical efforts. Some of the smaller streams often afford the best fishing-. Trout can be supremely happy in very little water, and big- beauties love to disport in tiny brooklets where there is barely room to float. They will be found among- mossy roots and margins and over rocky and pebbly bottoms. ' Sing- sweet, O birds o' April ! Sing- sweet o'er hill and plain While the wandering world Is tangled in the sunlight an' the rain We ain't a pestering any one, jes' livin' at our ease, A-huntin' when wt- want to, an' fishin' when we please !" THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 45 The time having- finally arrived J 3 DELAWARE RAILROAD, THE ULSTER & ^ ^ ^ for a railroad, the men were found to build it, in spite of the unfavorable current of public opinion which then pre- vailed. Thus, the construction of the Ulster & Delaware line was beg^un in 18(i6. Proceeding- slowly and cautiously for a time, the iron-horse did not really g-et very far into the mountains until four years later. Even then the project was g-enerally considered wild and ill-advised, with certain failure at the end. But the projectors had faith in the final result and kept stretching- out the rails until they reached and crossed the mountains. Nature may never have dreamed that man would stretch a railroad throug-h this lovely valley, and at times there has been some question as to whether she had been fully recon- ciled to the desecration. But the eng-ineers found a natural pass here most of the way, crooked and tortuous thoug-h it was, and they just followed it up g-ood naturedh^ in laying- out the line of the road, avoiding- any agg-ressive liberties with the native conditions, as far as possible. Many heavy grades were encountered, and there was a cantankerous mountain creek, with a whole brood of wayward and excitable little tributaries pouring into it from every g-org-e and g-ulch, which had to be dealt with in a dignified and earnest manner. These were normally quiet and inoffensive, of course ; the speckled trout disported lazily in the crystal water which g-littered in the noonday sun like silver threads in the w^oof of the mountain, and rippled in sweet refrain on its winding-, woodland way to the river. But when the floods came, these placid and pretty rills swelled into roaring- torrents in a few hours, tumbling- into the main creek, which in turn, flooded the narrow valley and swept everything- down before it, — bridg-es, embankments, trestles, — nothing- was respected. Of course, there was nothing about the railway that w^ould be likely to exempt it from this inevitable rule, or evoke any sympathy from these arteries of the mountains. So the eng-ineers acted squarely on the defensive and built the road on that theory, locating- the line with the utmost care and building in the firmest manner. The best materials were THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 47 used in every case, and the best methods employed to secure sta- bility, security, safety, efficiency and comfort. The roadbed has recently been materially straig-ht- ened and leveled, and the curves perfected by a competent corps of eng-ineers. This was made necessary by the increased traffic "■ and g-reaterspeedof trains, which also called for heavier rails and ties and modern steel bridg-es, all of which have been supplied over the entire line. Several new and attractive station buildings have been erected, and important additions and improvements to the rolling-stock and general equipment, are continually being- made. The new passenger locomotives are now heavier and more power- ful than formerly, and they are constructed from the latest improved designs for speed and efficiency. The new coaches which are added each year, are eleg-ant models of comfort and convenience from the best shops in the country. Nothing- that will conduce to the comfort and pleasure of travelers has been omitted in the equipment of the Ulster & Delaware Svstem. It therefore stands to-day second to none in secur- ity of road-bed, safety of appliances, general efficiency and comfort of equipment. The policy of the company and its management is to get the best, and operate the line in the best possible manner. The completion of the road of course proved the great factor in the development of the Catskills as a popular sum- mer resort. A new impetus was imparted to the mountain boarding business, and hotels, large and small, began to rise here and there in the valleys and on the mountain slopes. It •opened a new section of the range, which rivaled and even surpassed in beauty any other portion, while the entire re- g-ion at once became easily accessible. Luxurious parlor and day coaches are now attached to the trains, and the most in- firm and debilitated may thus enjoy the benefits of this great iiatural sanitarium. < O w w O PL. o H CO O THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 49 THE ONLY ALL-RAIL ROUTE; BEGINNING AT KINGSTON POINT, that famous old Hudson River landing- of former years, which has now been restored and great- ly improved, this mountain track of the Ulster & Delaware line never ends until the entire Catskill rang-e has been crossed, and the villag-e of Oneonta, in Otseg-o county, 108 miles from this eastern terminus, is reached. Here at the Point, passengers from the elegant and popular Day Line steamers, "New York" and "Albany," may board the Ulster & Delaware trains for any point in the range, stepping- directly from their palatial decks to the cars. The transfer of bag-gage is quickly effected, and there is no change of cars between the river and the hills. After the delig-htful sail up the river one is ready to enjoy the speedy whirl by train inland and among- the mountains to the fullest extent. The start is made over the river shoal and up the Rondout Creek for two miles, when ONDOUT is reached. Rondout was formerly a villag-e, and in 1614 the Dutch established a settlement here. It is the river port of the city of King-ston, which was incorporated in 1872. It has extensive manufac- turing- interests, and has long- en- joyed the larg-est river commerce of any point on the Hudson, except Albany. Several steamboat lines are operated here, including- passeng-er, freig-ht and towing- companies; and , it may justly claim more steam ves- sels than any other place above New York, if not a g-reater number than all others put tog-ether, save Albany. The fleet and famous "Mary Powell," that "Greyhound of the Hud- son," makes daily trips between this port and New York during- the summer and early autumn. The larg-e and com- modious steamers of the Central Hudson Steamboat Co. 's Night Line, and the New York Central trains, (by way of 4 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 51 the Rhinecliff Ferry) all contribute to the increasing- traffic of the Ulster & Delaware trains. Leaving- Rondout Station, the train winds g-racefully up the g^rade from tide level and intersects with the West Shore Railroad near the center of the citv. "INGSTON (Union Depot.) This is one of the important stations on that trunk line, in summer. It is -also the northern terminus of the Wallkill Valley Railroad, and during- the reg-ular season of summer Cats- kill Mountain traffic, there are over fifty trains stopping- here daily, it being- the g-reat diverg-ing- point for the mountain reg-ion. The fast Cats- kill Mountain special trains on the West Shore line, are here trans- ferred to the Ulster & Delaware track, where powerful en- g-ines stand hissing- and throbbing-, impatiently waiting- for the mountain run. These are among- the fastest summer trains scheduled upon any road in the country. From this station, looking- directly north, an imposing- view of the mountains is presented. The peaks in sight are the famous Overlook, on the left, with Plattekill, Hig-h Peak, or Mount Lincoln, the Kaaterskill and South Mountain crag-s on toward the rig-ht. The hig-hest of these is Mount Lincoln, 3,664 feet, and the next in height is the Overlook, 3,150 feet above tide. The large house near the sky is the Overlook Mountain House. The next toward the rit^ht is Hotel Kaaterskill, and the last is the old Catskill Mountain House. But there is barely time to inspect this view when your train pulls out for the mountains and is whirling rapidly over the lovely fringe of fertile lowland in the northern bounds of the city. You pass within a few rods of the famous old "Senate House," where New York State was born, which is in sight on the left, soon after you pass under the second street bridge. It was built in 1676, partially burned by the British in 1777, and is now owned and kept by the State, having a large and interesting collection of ancient relics and ^•^ ' 7««S» THE BEAUTIFUL FALLS, HAINES CORNERS. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 53 curiosities. The city contains many other historic old stone houses made famous during- the primitive period of the Re- public, which are well worth seeing-. The Esopus creek is next crossed, and the train plung-es boldly up the southern slope of the picturesque and beautiful Ulster & Delaware valley, which affords a charming- panorama of mountain scenery throug-h its entire leng-th. The ascent here is grad- ual but continuous, all the way to EST HURLEY, ten miles from King'ston Point and 530 feet above the river. This is a small hamlet a few rods to the left, mainly devoted to the quarrying and shipping- of blue ^^ stone, which is found in g-reat abund- ance all throug-h this region. There are two or three churches, two hotels, and several stores and shops. Woodstock is a much larg-er hamlet, at the base of Over- look Mountain, five miles north, and stages are waiting- to convey passeng-ers to that reg-ion, which is very pretty and popular with summer visitors, having- a larg-e hotel, numer- ous boarding houses, three fine churches, and many stores. The Overlook is a very imposing- crag- as seen from West Hurley station, and those who set out to make the ascent will find a fairly g-ood carriage road most of the way, and one of the most charming and extended views from the crest to be found in the entire rang-e, if not the most interesting- and extended of all. While straight or level roads and mountains are incom- patible, if not in fact undesirable, the track of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, as it leaves West Hurley, will be found as nearly straig-ht as it ever g-ets. Here for eig-ht or nine miles the eng^ineer opens his throttle a bit wider and the train g-lides smoothly at nearly a mile-a-minute pace over the Beaverkill swamp with the terracing- mountain rang-e in the backg-round on the right, the trend having- now turned ob- liquely to the west. THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 55 LIVE BRANCH is the next station on this level stretch (Ashton Post Office). The aspect is now pastoral and peaceful. The wayside marsh is thickly dotted with wild plants and flowers, espe- cially iris and lilies, which bloom in succession during- the summer, presenting- an attractive variety of floral beauty, tempting- plant lovers from the train at times. The reg-ion here is supplied with many modest boarding- houses where one may revel in the air of the foothills with g-reat inform- ality and at low rates. Temple Pond is an aquatic attraction, lying-'at the foot of Big- Toinje Mountain, about one hundred feet above the station. It covers about one hundred acres normally and affords boating- and fishing- facilities. BROWN'S STATION, three miles beyond, is another quiet boarding- section with numerous houses for summer entertainment, and a few sum- mer cottag-es now creeping- in here and there. Hig-h Point and the Wittenberg- rang-e are now looming- up in the distance ahead. A mile-and-a-half south is Winchell's Falls, on the Esopus, and just below, the stream flows throug-h a picturesque, rocky g-org-e. At the Falls is the Hudson River Pulp Works, where pulp used in the manufacture of dyna- mite is produced. Soon after leaving- Brown's, the train rounds a graceful curve to the rig-ht for two miles, and the Esopus Creek is ag-ain encountered, for the first since leaving- Kingston. The stream here divides above the bridg-e, forming- a pretty little wooded island. Hereafter the track and this wayward cur- rent of mountain water maintain companionship for twenty miles and more, bending- in and out, and crossing- and re- crossing- thewaters as the topog-raphy of the valley demands, thoug-h not implicitly following- its every freak and whim. Between this point and King-ston, it winds its weary way over precipitous rocks, through wild ravines and alluvial and fer- tile meadows for many a mile far to the south. Crossing now the iron bridge, the train pulls up at THE CATS KILL MOUNTAINS. 57 RODHEAD'S BRIDGE Sta- tion. Many are attracted here I by the surrounding- landscape, with its diversity of broad mead- ows, towering- mountain peaks, and shimmering trout streams. The little hamlet is scattered along the wooded banks of the creek near the base of High Point. Pine Island, which here parts the waters of the Esopus, is a favorite spot for a hammock and a dream, with the r^^th- mic swirl and gurg-le of the rushing waters on either side, and the symphonic whispers of spreading hemlocks over- head. Four gamey streams wend their way through forest and field in different directions. One of these leaps over the ledge not far distant in a sparkling- cascade known as "Bridal Veil Falls." A more extended w^aterfall however is Bishop Falls, two miles down the Esopus, a favorite afternoon ram- ble with many, who liken it to the famous "Horse-Shoe Falls " at Niagara, in shape. Back of the station is a large bluestone yard, where the various processes of rubbing, planing andfinishing the huge, flat stones for market is in active operation. The stone is carted from the numerous quarries on the surrounding mountain slopes, and shipped by rail to tide-water when finished for use. /^HOKAN, originally spelled "Asho- ^^ kan," is the next stop after a mile run. It is one of the old Indian names that have been retained in the geographical nomenclature of this region. The mountains are now closing in upon you. In fact, this is often called the "Gateway of the Catskills, " but there are many others of a similar character. The place is divided in two parts; about the station is known as West Shokan, the older settlement which antedates the THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 59 railroad, being' a mile toward the east. It is a pleasant ham- let with churches, schools, stores and many boarding- houses where hundreds of city people pass the summer delightfully and at moderate cost. The famous "High Point" peak, 3,098 feet toward the sk3% looms up grandly now on the left, in a south-westerly direction. This is the most southerly peak of the Catskills, and the view from its summit is very extended. The ascent is no longer difficult, there 'being- a well marked road over half the way. Fairly good carriage roads lead out from Shokan in different directions to inter- esting points. Among those well worth visiting- are the cele- brated Peakamoose Lake and the "Gulf." The former is a beautiful strip of mountain water where the Rondout Creek flows through one of the most charming- glens in the world. Speaking of this spot, a recent writer and artist says : "Nothing else in the Catskills approaches it in its peculiar type. For a mile it is a succession of impressive pic- tures, with cascades and waterfalls in- numerable; living- pictures of living- water." Looking- west from Shokan sta- tion a crescent of lofty mountain peaks will be seen. That on the right is the "Wittenberg," 3778 feet, the next is Mount Cornell, 3,681 feet high. Some two miles beyond this chain is the famous Slide Mountain, the king of the range, 4,205 feet in the air. In the same localit}^ are Peakamoose, 3,875 feet. Table Mountain, 3,865 feet high, and several others. It is the wildest and most interesting group in the entire range, and it can only be reached by way of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. Leaving- Shokan now, the train winds up the valley for three miles, recrossing the Pvsopus at a broad bend, and halting- brieflv at THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 61 BOICEVILLE, a way station with many undeveloped attractions for summer boarders. There is here an "Excelsior Mill," with its shredders running- day and nig-ht. The mountains are now encroach- ing" more and more upon the narrow valley. GOLD BROOK is another way station, a mile be- yond, if your train happens to stop there. The EsopLis rushes madly by under a new iron bridge on the right, bordered by a tangled inass of wild flowering vines which send up their fragrance to greet the traveler in the car window while he listens to the chattering roar of the stream. Following the Esopus now for a mile along the base of Mount Pleasant, with Mount Tobias and Mount Tremper in the eastern background, across the meadows and orchards which intervene, the stream sud- denly bends away and out of sight for a time, and the train soon afterward stops at yi OUNT PLEASANT. This is in ^ \ the midst of a most attractive and very ^popular summer boarding region, with numerous hotels and resting places scattered here and there throughout » i: f-B^Ol f the charming valley. Roads lead away among the romantic foot-hills of tower- ing mountains to quiet little houses nestling in placid nooks among the brooks and bridges which dominate the locality. Of these there are some forty which receive their guests at this station. One is here surrounded by high mountains that rise ab- ruptly and aggressively, although the ascents are not difficult. The view from Mt. Tremper, especially its western spur, is interesting and the ti'ail is comparatively easy. The Esopus creek winds in and out, and lingers lovingly among the little patches of mountain meadow; and visitors are always de- lighted with this bit of the Ulster & Delaware valley. But the train now speeds on this northerly course for about three miles, barely finding room between the assertive old creek and the wagon road for its track, so agg-ressive are the mountains on either side. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 63 HOENICIA. This is one of the most important stations on the line. You are now twenty-eig-ht miles from the river and 7*^)4 feet above it, with lofty moun- ss- tain peaks on every hand. It is the fc... _ entrance of the famous Stony Clove ""* ^ Canyon, and the southern terminus of the Stony Clove and Kaaterskill Branch of the Ulster & Delaware system. This route will be described more fully on subsequent pag-es of this book after traversing- the main line. The Stony Clove creek here joins the Esopus and together they have preempted most of the level land in sig-ht, thoug-h really using- only a small portion of it, except in times of freshet. You are now well into the mountains and the scenery is wild and picturesque. It is late in the day when the sun peers over the eastern sky- line on Mount Tremper, and comparatively early in the afternoon when the western shadows beg-in to envelop the little hamlet. There are stores, shops and cottag-es, with a pretty little church, and several hotels, larg-e and small, near at hand, with other boarding- houses in the vicinity. Mean- while your eng-ine, having- taken a fresh drink of mountain water, gets the sig-nal and skips off up the valley with a business-like snort, winding- now closely along- the left bank of the Esopus, which lessens in volume as the reg^ion of its source is approached. But the little valley g-rows in wild- ness and beauty with every mile, and the mountains become hig-her and g-rander. Ever and anon you wonder how the rocky wall ahead is to be avoided, but the eng-ine finds the way onward. A mile up the track is "Woodland Valley," opening- on the left. It is about nine miles long- and reaches to the base of the Wittenberg-, Mount Cornell and Slide Mountain. Not in all the Catskills is there a more pictur- esque and charming- wildwood pass than this. And yet, strang-e to say, the averag-e Catskill visitor knows little of it. Nature has here been largely and admirably left to herself, and here sublime simplicity is truly enchanting-. It was formerly known as "Snyder Hollow," and of course there is a pretty stream, with cascades, little rustic bridg-es and MATTICE FALLS, NKAR GILBOA. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 65 trout, and poetry all the way. Mounts Sheridan, Sherrill and North Dome now soar g-randly toward the sky on the rig-ht, with other peaks of various local names coming- into view in succession as the train proceeds. You soon reach the pretty Shandaken Valley where the mountains begin to re- cede in the distant background, giving" place to the more pastoral features of broader meadows, bending- orchards and sloping foot-hills, with little farm buildings here and there. ONE OF THE STREETS IN WINDHAM. The big Westkill Mountain, 3,900 feet hig-h, at length ap- pears in the distance on the right and the valley again grows narrow. ALLABEN is now the station, formerly known as "Fox Hollow," because of its proximity to a lateral valley of that name, on the left, just above. This is another bluestone depot, and the aspect is wild and secluded. But there are several modest boarding houses in the vicinity. And just above is an extensive chair factory which has been chewing up maple, birch and beach wood there for many a year. A big, long and crooked mountain mile next brings you to the station known as 5 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 67 HANDAKEN at an altitude of 1,068 feet and 34 miles from the Hudson. This pretty and most appropriate Indian name means "rapid water." Shandaken has long- been one of the most popular summer reg-ions in the Catskills, and it is no small boast for city visitors to speak proudly of having- summered here, as many hundreds do year after year. The scenery is varied and beautiful, the streams numerous and g-amev, and the air ex- cellent. There are two larg-e hotels within a few rods of the station and many smaller ones scattered all about. There is room for hundreds in and about the hamlet itself, and there are stages in waiting- to convey many others miles away to popular resorts in Bushnellville, Lexing-ton, Westkill, Spruceton and other tributary reg-ions, throug-h charming- canyons and cloves, and over fair mountain roads. Up the clove to Bushnellville and on a pretty lake in Echo Notch \Juij'WS^ \ » " is a lovely six-mile ride, with '\fn#^^ J;^___ the swift flowing- Bushkill stream babbling- and tum- blings along- the wa3^side, and ever and anon disputing- with you reg-arding- the road- way, which is here treated with scant courtesy by the towering- old crag-s. This portion of the valley is invested with interest be- cause of its desig-nation, as the scene of buried treasure of great value, which once belong-ed to noted British military officers. The succeeding- miles are now more crooked than ever, and three of them bring-s the train to a halt at THE TOWER ON THE TOP OF SLIDE MOUNTAIN. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 69 IG INDIAN, 1,212 feet above the river. The ascent to this point has been very gradual most of the way, but now you look ahead and realize that the radical climb is about to begin. You seem walled in by mountain crags on every side, and you may well wonder how the train will man- age to reach the summit, nearly 700 feet above, and take only three miles to do it. The deep valley comes to an end a short distance ahead and the rails can no longer evade the steep mountain slope. While vou have been wrestling with these little details of further progress, that j^ou will find so nicely solved by the constructing engineers of the Ulster & Delaware line a few minutes hence, tourists for Slide Mountain and that charming region, had been climbing into the stages with their traps and luggage for that eleven-mile ride, or less, de- pending upon the destination. This is the station for the Slide and the Big Indian Valley, that most entrancing and delightful canyon which cannot be extolled too highly nor painted in too glowing colors. Nature has here wrought with marvelous skill and design, and there is beauty in every line. The entire valley is an ideal place for summer cottage life amid the placid charms of wildwood and forest. No vis- itor of the Catskills should fail to ride, or wheel, or walk through this lovely valley. One of the sources of the Esopus sends its crystal water winding through this meadow bottom at its own sweet will, regardless of roads and all other artifi- cial structures. In this the "speckled beauties" disport in goodly numbers, as they do even more abundantly in the famous Neversink region, which is also reached from this valley, and lies beyond the Slide. An extra engine is usually added to the heavier trains here for the hills, and while these powerful motors are gath- ering forces for the climb a romantic bit of Indian tradition may be of interest. A NOVEMBER DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 71 "Big- Indian" was a stalwart red man of this locality, seven feet in heig-ht. His tribal name was "Winnisook. " Like all bad Indians who g-ot the chance, he fell in love with a pretty white maiden of the adjacent plains, named Ger- trude Molyneaux. But she finally married Joe Bundy, a rival suitor of her own race. The alliance proved unhappy however, and the young- wife was tenderly reminded of what mig-ht have been had she married the g-allant and dusky warrior of the woods. This feeling- finally culminated into a transfer of her affections and person to him. But the climax of Joe Bundy's revenge soon came. While with a company of marauders on a foray of cattle-stealing- from the Dutch farmers, Winnisook was seen by the outraged husband, who promptly drew his trusty bead and inflicted a fatal wound, remarking- to his comrades, " I think the best way to civilize the yellow serpent is to let daylight into his black heart." The dusky g-iantwas afterward found dead standing- uprig-ht in the hollow of a big- pine near the spot. His faithful widow, learning- of the trag-edy, hastened to the scene, where she fell upon the body in frantic g-rief, and spent the rest of her life near Winnisook's g-rave. The stump of the old pine is said to have been covered by the railway embankment. But the train is already curving; out from the station, you look skyward and see a g-reat hotel with towers near the summit and you know at once by the conclusive snorts and g-roans proceeding- from the eng-ines, that you are g-oing- up- hill, for the g-rade is about 150 feet per mile. The best place , / to watch the receding- valley ^ is the back platform of the rear car. The charming- Pine Hill valley, with its stream, its road and an oc- casional house far down below, make a fascinating- picture. There are nu- merous visitors for Pine Hill village, which you ■ •' have just passed and admired so much down in the valley. 72 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. INE HILL Station is here perched on the steep slope of Belle Ayr Mountain. Hundreds take the stag-es which are assembled in g-reat array for the short ride down the hill for the charming- little vil- lag-e, one of the most picturesque in the rang-e. The place presents a most attractive appearance from the train, accounting- in some measure for its continued popu- larity with a very larg-e class who have made it their reg-ular summer abode for years. Nearly every house has summer visitors, and there is a deg^ree of informality about the at- mosphere not always so prevalent at other resorts, which is satisfactory and enjoyable to the averag-e g-uest there. The northerly source of the Esopus is here, up Birch creek val- ley, and with that stream we must now part company, as the drainag-e from this section of the rang-e will hereafter flow from the summit westward, to the Delaware instead of the Hudson river. This is also a favorite cottag-e reg-ion. But the clatter and chatter incident to the greeting- of new-comers, and the transfer of their bag-g-ag-e, now fades away as the brakes are released and the hissing- locomotives plung-e boldly into the final climb. The air-line distance to the summit is not over half-a-mile, but there are 226 feet to climb and the track curves sharplv around the arcs of a double horseshoe for three times that distance. You see the eng-ines laboring- heavily as they almost double up on the train, and the front end of the coach is visibly hig-her than the rear. But while watching- these novel features of modern eng-ineering-, don't forg-et to look backward dow^n the valley, for the view from this mountain breastwork is charming- in- deed. At leng-th you will note that the motors are breath- ing- more freely and steadily as the Summit is approached. While the whistle sounds, there will be time to admire the handsome cottag-es in Hig-hmount Park on the rig-ht, and perhaps some of the hotels and summer homes on the Belle Ayr slope to the left. But you have now reached the sum- mit of the Ulster & Delaware track, 1,889 feet above tide. the: catskill mountains. 73 RAND HOTEL STATION is now the stop, and a most im- portant summer station it is. The second larg"est hotel in the Cats- kills, known as the New Grand, is less than half-a-mile up the hill and in plain sig-ht. It stands on a commanding- terrace of Monka Hill Mountain, and on the divid- ing-line between Ulster and Dela- ware counties. From it the view of mountain and valley is superb, rivaled only by the crest of the mountain itself in the rear, to which the ascent is short and easy, bringing- the eye 2,489 feet in the air and free from obstruc- tion on every side. Toward the south is Slide Mountain, barely overtopping its aspiring- neig-hbors, with the lovely valley, throug-h which you came, in the foreground; toward the west are the farms and ham- lets of Delaware, and far below the shelving rocks on which you stand is the green valley of virgin forest; and toward the north and east are mountains piled on mountains. The Belle Ayr slope, here known as "Highmount, " is dotted here and there with pretty cottages in a park of 1,500 mountain acres, with an average elevation of over 2,000 feet. The re- g-ion also abounds in interesting drives and finny brooks Avhich g-reatly enhance the normal pleasures of mountain summer life. Gently now the train begins to move down the hill, and soon the brakes are firmly set and all steam is shut off for the g-reat slide. You see an occasional cottage in the ravine on the right and anon a trim and pretty hamlet in the valley, with many elaborate and costly cottag-es surrounded by well kept lawns and handsome grounds, some of which have been carved out of the mountain side itself, so little room is there in the valley basin. The station is 74 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 'LEISCHMANN^ (Griffin's Corners). Many men of wealth and station have beautiful cottages. and. g-rounds here, especially the :& well known Fleischmann family, which has had so large a share in the development of the place. Many of these handsome homes '^are on the bluffs, south, of the track. There is now a change of landscape ; the wild and moun- tainous aspect peculiar to the Ulster section, giving place to the pastoral and placid features of cleared land and agricul- tural life. You are now entering a dairy- land, with its thor- oughbred cows, its rich milk and gilt- edged butter, the home of the sugar- maple and the lus- cious products of the sap-bush. The trick- ling- stream on the right is the East Branch of the Dela- ware, which soon gathers volume and force as we proceed. The mountain slopes are now more gentle and sparsely wooded. Though yet set with stumps and stones, with an occasional protrusion of rock, they yield more readily to cultiva- tion. MANOR KILL FALLS, BELOW THE BRIDGE. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 75 RKVILLE is the next station, four miles further down the valley and 1,372 feet above tide, the lowest point reached by the rails in Delaware County. It is an important station because of the sev- eral tributary reg-ions con- verg-ing- here. Marg-aretville, one and one-half miles distant on the left is a charming- little hamlet at the base of Mount Pakatakan, one mile below the confluence of Dry Brook and the East Branch and partly covering the ancient site of the Tuscarora Indian headquarters. The rural setting is mar- velously attractive, and many artists of note have built sum- mer studios here and in the environment of Arkville. There are churches, stores, water-works, a weekly newspaper, a fair-ground and race-track, and several hotels. Stages con- nect with leading trains at Arkville for Andes, twelve miles, Shavertown fifteen, and Downsville twenty-six miles away. Furlough Lake, the mountain home of George J. Gould is- only seven miles distant. This entire region has long- been a famous trouting section. Dry Brook is a favorite stream with fishermen, having ample water to shield the wary game. Near Arkville is an artificial cave with strange hieroglyphics rudely carved upon its inner walls, which attracts many visitors. On leaving this station the train curves sharply toward the right at an obtuse angle, abandoning its southwesterly course, upon which it lately entered, and pursuing nearly the opposite direction for several miles, Arkville being in the vertex of the angle. You are now entering a charming glade known as the valley of the East Branch; a fine dairy section, with succulent grasses, milk cows, milk, milk cans and milk stations in full supply. The little stream loiters lazily and winds in and out with wondrous beauty through the level vale, evidently on grace and pleasure bent, for there seems no other reason for avoiding a straight course, unless it was to increase the charms of the landscape and annoy the sturdy farmers who till the marginal meadows. To some, the water may seem to run the wrong way; but it don't. 76 THK CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. HELLY'S CORNERS is the first stop on this new course. It is mainly a milk depot, having- a dairy in sig-ht across the meadow. Some city boarders are entertained at the pleasant farm houses in the vicinity, and they thrive wondrously upon the rich and pure products of the dairy so abundant there. You can almost catch the scent of the curds, the buttermilk and the whey. D.T:HtsbrC)(a.<:K->v.Y 1^ I J * i i . ,.ii «-ust. .-•=# '*^*-i#M '■w^;::.*^ '^^ -<§i; ^ THK PICTIIKESOUE STONY CLOVE. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. ')1 THE STONY CLOVE AND KAATERS- KILL BRANCH, in order to reach the Greene County section of the rang-e, so long- and justly fa- mous in song- and story for its rare scenic attrac- tions, where thousands of summer visitors from every clime have revelled and recuperated year after year, the main line of the Ulster & Delaware system must be left at Phoenicia, and now visitors for that delightful region may reach it without change of cars. The little narrow-gauge track has been re- placed with heavy rails of steel and made into standard gauge in conformity with the parent system. Steel bridges, heavier ties, perfected curves and elegant new rolling- stock and every facility has been provided for the increased travel through the famous Stony Clove which is sure to follow. This means through parlor cars from Philadelphia and New York to Hunter, Tanners ville, Haines Corners, the Laurel House, the Kaaterskill Hotel, and the Catskill Moun- tain House. There will be no change or detention at Phoeni- cia as in past years. This announcement will be hailed with joy by every vis- itor and entertainer in that charming- region, which at last will have all the modern railway facilities heretofore enjoyed in other parts of the Catskills. Many pag^es might well be devoted here to the entrancing- scenery which unrolls like a panorama as the train proceeds through this wonderful valley and mountain canyon, known far and wide as the Stony Clove and Notch. Though familiar with all the g-raphic descriptions upon paper and canvas, one is sure to be surprised with the charming reality. Geologists differ widely as to the probable cause of this marvelous cleav- age of the crags as seen in this Notch, or at what stage of the world's history this mighty upheaval took place. While the transverse strata or rock on either side closely corre- sponding in character and elevation, seem to have been sev- ered and forced asunder a few rods by some cyclopean impulse and then held immovable, we can get no further in our speculative dream than that. Nature closes the door at this point upon human investigation and courts our admira- NEAR THE CLOVE, AFTER LAYING THE HEAVY KAIL, AND THE LAST GLIMPSE OF THE "NARROW GAUGE.' THE CATSKir.L MOUNTAINS. 93 tion only. Surely no visitor to the Catskills will care to miss a trip throug-h the Stony Clove. Leaving- Phoenicia the train sweeps over the Esopus and around a broad curve to the rig-ht, pursuing" a north- easterly course most of the way. Much of the g^rade is heavy, reaching a maximum of 187 feet per mile near the Notch. The summit there is 2,071 feet above tide, and there is a climb of 1,273 feet in ten miles. But the eng-ines pull up the trains at a lively rate, and you are charmed amid the marvel- ous beauties of this primeval bit of nature, l^he left side of the train presents the best view of the valley and gorg-e, and the rear platform is the place of vantage to watch the reced- ing valley and wonder where you came through. GHICHESTER'S is the first station, two miles up. It was named for the Chichester family which came originally from Wales. There are extensive man- ufacturing- plants and a collection of small dwellings down in the valley. Chairs and fine cabinet work are made there, to which the place is devoted. Soon after leaving- the station, if at the rig-ht season in June, you pass through a perfect flower-garden of Mountain Laurel, which extends for acres upon either side, each shrub a g-orgeous mass of pink beauty in a setting- of dark g-reen leaves. In fact, this entire route presents a charming variety of wild flowers, ferns, trailing- vines and g-reen shrubbery which bloom in succession during- the summer, filling- the air with wild-wood frag-rance. Lovers of plants and wild flowers may revel in the woodland treasures which abound in this region. Among- the species found are Clematis, Ferns in g-reat variety, Sarracenias, Honeysuckles, Indian Pipe, Daisies, Eupato- rium. Lilies, Phlox, and a host of others. C "ESVILLE, five miles up the valley, is the next stop, and a favorite section with modest visitors who prefer to avoid the bustle and crowd of a popu- lar resort. There are several houses in this pic- turesque locality where solid comfort may be enjoyed, and there is g-ood fishing- in the surrounding- streams. Steeple Mountain and Burnt Knob rise abruptly skyward over across THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 95 the valley, and there a.ve various other soaring- peaks with crag-g-y crests now coming- into view, which add rug-g-ed g-randeur to the scene. Another three miles upward and on- ward bring-s the train to a halt at EDGEWOOD, 1,787 feet above tide. There is a rat- tling- saw-mill, and chair-stock factory, with a few scattering- private boarding- houses. But Nature's setting- will eng-ag-e your attention more profitably. Until this point you have been on the eastern slope of the deep valley, with the Stony Clove creek and the old wag-on road far below, and cascades, mills, little churches, schools and cottag-es at intervals, where a few acres of almost per- pendicular meadows have been reclaimed from the relentless g-rasp of the g-reat crag-. The Notch itself is now just ahead, and the valley contracts suddenly as its throat is ap- proached. The valley ends, or rather beg-ins, just here with a broad open pool of water in which the picturesque marg-in of fallen and uprig-ht, dead and other g-reen and beautiful Spruce trees are reflected. There is now a climb of 280 feet to reach the summit in the Notch, and the g-rade can no long-er be evaded or trifled with. There is not much over a mile in which to make the ascent, and you feel, hear and see that it is up hill. But the eng-ine "g-ets there" all rig-ht. You hear the whistle and bell which waken the echoes in un- bending- measure, and next you feel the brakes released as the train beg-ins a g-radual descent. You are in the Notch, with Hunter Mountain, 4,038 feet, and the second hig-hest in the rang-e, on the left, straig-ht toward the sky, and Plateau Mountain on the rig-ht, with a narrow strip of sky far above. The track and the old wag-on road are battling- for space at the bottom of the g"org-e for a time ; but the rocky and rooty road has the rig-ht of wa}^ by priority of possession, and it must be duly respected. The air is chill, and you reach for the overcoat and wraps which you have prudently broug-ht with you to the mountains. THIC CATSKII.r. MOUNTAINS. 97 HAATERSKILL JUNCTION is at length an- nounced. It is in the woods with the open valley of the Schoharie on the left. Coaches are here cut off for the Hunter branch. Continuing- this gradual descent on a sharp curve to the left for about two miles along that stream, the famous old village of UNTER is reached. This is one of the most popu- lar summer region in the Catskills. It is a quaint little mountain village, the town being formerly- known as ''Greenland." The general elevation is about 1,600 feet, and there is a wealth of picturesque attrac- tions. Bits of ancient architecture are yet to be seen in the mile or more of street that stretches along the northerly side of the Schoharie creek ; nor is the modern trend of the present century so much in evidence here as in some other mountain villages. But there are several large and attrac- tive hotels, two or three churches, many stores and shops, a weekly newspaper, and a handsome new^ school building, "Colonel's Chair" peak, 3,165 feet high, a spur of Hunter Mountain, forms the southern sky-line immediately across the Schoharie, to which the ascent is easy and most interest- ing, as it is also to the parent crag. In addition to all this, there are miles upon miles of excellent roads, leading out in everv direction, upon which the wise and good people of that town have spent over $20,000 during the past four years in sensible and permanent repairs, which is bringing its reward in increased number of city visitors who delight to drive and cycle in this charming locality. With all these advantages there is little wonder that so many thousands return to old Hunter year after year to spend their summer. Previous to the railwav it was almost inaccessible however, as were the favorite regions of Lexington, Hensonville, Windham and Jewett Heights, which are now reached by stage from this station. But resuming the eastward journey at Kaaterskill Junc- tion, we have still eight miles of rails to traverse before reaching the northeastern terminus of this mountain system. A run of three lovel}- miles now brings us to 7 THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 99 TANNERSVILLE, the first stop. Col. Edwards, of Northampton, Mass., moved in the town early in the last century, and established an extensive tan- ning- plant there; and it soon became a g-reat tanning- center, remaining- thus until the hemlock bark was exhausted. This fact led to its name. It has long been a very popular boarding- section and has recently g-rown in favor with cot- tag-ers. There are numerous larg-e hotels with combined facilities for entertaining- over two thousand summer g-uests. Various social clubs and other associations have been at- tracted here since the advent of the railway, purchasing- large tracts of mountain land and converting- them into parks and fine roadways, and erecting" many handsome summer dwellings, fine club-houses and other convenient building-s. Among- these may be named the Elka Park Association over on Spruce top slope, near the source of the Schoharie, seen on the right. Onteora Park across the valley, north of the station, and Schoharie Manor, adjoining- Elka Park. The elevation at the station is 1,863 feet, and the train now as- cends gradually all the way to the end. HAINES' CORNERS is at the end of the succeed- ing two miles, which are sure to challenge the ad- miration, even at this late stage of the journey. An- other lively station is this, nearly 2,000 feet above the sea. You are now at the head of the famous Kaaterskill Clove, of which there is but one, and the like of which there is no other. For entrancing beauty of situation it has no equal. The view down the great Canyon to the Hudson and beyond, is grand and beautiful, defying all description of pen or brush, and there is rare native charm on eyery hand. Nothing which man has done, — and there is much of his work here — has been able to despoil the mightv chiseling of Nature in this great Clove, nor even divert the attention for a moment from the sublime and transcendent vastness of this scene. Here at the head of the Canyon the water plunges madly over the precipice 160 feet in height, and then •descends by a series of cascades and rapids 1,200 feet more in four miles, to Palenville, on its woodland way to the Hud- THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 101 son. Half way down, it is joined by the Kaaterskill stream which tumbles in from the lateral gorge on the left. It is not strange of course that people love to linger here, as there are many good hotels, large and small. Just over the Falls, and on the massive slope of Mount Lincoln, which here towers 3,664 feet in the air and forms the great south wall of the Clove, several parks have been established. These will be seen most effectively soon after the train leaves the sta- tion. The first is Sunset Park, above the Falls, then follows Twilight and Santa Cruz Parks with their many attractive cottages, casinos and club houses, which together make a very extensive settlement here in the ^^•oods in picturesque contrast to the unrivalled mountain setting. A summer home here, with housekeeping cares and fashion at the mini- mum, and Mrs. Grundy in abeyance, must be, and is, highly enjoyable. As the train moves onw^ard through this historic region, with the gorge now on the right, you will need to be alert to catch even a passing glimpse of the many objects of interest that appear in quick succession. Through t'.'.e trees on the right, just before reaching the next station, two miles above, will be seen the celebrated Kaaterskill Fills, which "Natty Bumpo " called " the best p ece of work in the woods." The momentary stop is C^EL HOUSE STATION. A few rods down to the right stands that familiar and historic old resort at the head of this beautiful gorge into which the silvery sheen of sparkling water tumbles hundreds of feet from a solid amphitheatre of shelving- rock beneath which, and behind the falling foam itself you mav walk on other shelves of rock, dry shod, and view the novel scene, which well repays for the labor of the return climb. It is a resort with manv hallov>-ed associations extending over three- quarters of a century nearly. But the genial old landlord sleeps and new faces preside over its destiny. The entranc- ing spot has inspired the pens and brushes of authors and artists for a century, and its beauty can never fade. Sunset Rock, less than a mile along the slope of this gorge, and at THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 103 an elevation of 2,115 feet, is a famous outlook over the 3'a\vn- ing- Canyon, where Haines Falls makes a charming- picture up at the head of the Clove. The last mile of the railway is now quickly covered through the forest, and you alight at AATERSKILL STATION, on the margin of a beautiful sheet of water known as Kaaterskill Lake, which here nestles lovingly in its mountain basin 2,141 feet above the sea. It is the highest point reached by any railroad in the State of New York. You are now less than half a mile from the eastern, or river face of the Catskill range. Half a mile up Kaaterskill Moun- tain is the great Hotel Kaaterskill, the most extensive moun- tain summer hotel enterprise in the world, standing- on the crest of the crag- and surrounded by a Mountain Park of over 12,000 acres, in which an excellent system of drives and walks is carefully maintained. The view of river and valley from this altitude of over 2,500 feet is unobstructed and charming- beyond compare. Prompt and speedy connection is made from every train at this station bv light mountain carriag-es, and the walk up the hill is short and delightful. Here too within a short half mile by a lovely road that borders and passes between Kaaterskill and its sister lake^ known as North Lake, is the. famous old Catskill Moun- tain House, on that g-rand old table-rock that has hung- there in mid-air, commanding- that famous "valley view" the praises of which have been sounded around the world all these years. This old landmark and pioneer summer moun- tain hotel now opens for its seventy-ninth season, and the veteran old boniface and Catskill Mountain enthusiast is still there to g-reet his friends. "Tis here the eastern sunbeams gild The hills which rise on either hand ; Till showers of purple mist are spilled In glit'ring dewdrops o'er the land." THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 105 STAGE CONNECTIONS. ARKVILLE. — Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year: For Margaretville 2 miles, fare 15 cents ; Dunraven, 6 miles, fare 50 cents ; Andes, 12 miles, fare $1.00 ; Lake Delaware, 20 miles, fare $1.50 ; Delhi, 26 miles, fare $1.50. Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year : For Arena, 8 miles, fare 50 cents; Union Grove, 12 miles, fare 75 cents ; Shavertown, 15 miles, fare $1.00 ; Pepac- ton, 19 miles, fare $1.25 ; Downsville, 26 miles, fare $1.50. BIG INDIAN. — Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year: For Oliverea, 2^ miles, fare 25 cents ; Slide Mountain P. O., 5 miles, fare 50 cents ; Winnisook Lodge, 8^ miles, fare 75 cents; Branch, 12 miles, fare $1.00; Frost Valley, 15 miles, fare $1.00 ; Claryville, 22 miles, fare $1.25. BLOOMVILLE. — Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year: For Delhi, 8 miles, fare 75 cents ; Bovina Centre, 6 miles, fare 50 cents. Delhi stage also connects with morning train on Sundays. GRAND GORGE. — Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year ; For Prattsville, 5 miles, fare 50 cents ; Gilboa, 4}^ miles, fare 40 cents. HUNTER. — For Lexington, 9 miles, fare 75 cents ; Hensonville, 7 miles, fare 75 cents ; Windham, 9 miles, fare $1.00 ; Jewett, 9 miles, fare $1.00 ; Ashland, 14 miles, fare $1.50. SHANDAKEN.— Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year : For Bushnellville, 3 miles, fare 35 cents; Westkill, 7 miles, fare 75 cents; Lexington, 11 miles, fare $1.00. STAMFORD. — Daily, except Sunday, throughout the year: For Harpersfield Centre, 4 miles, fare 25 cents. 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C t^ ID D 03 esse ^ •" ■ ° ,r,V. '-^ .J3 . cS I d tl i"0 oj a> S o f* -I « o _1 0)^ lOOOOOOO»oiooOO 'OOOO >OOQOO'nOOO"->OOOOinOOOOO'00"10voO O ft- ^ •M ft- - O0..'!* o : .'^ § 5 « bz)i ^ ^ -C Jj C * « a O w o u'^ "2d (D 5, D c< c ai S ai '5 B 0) J- C 1) a a a ^ ffi p- rt ^ p Pt3 (1) o 01 51? :is| hJ < AUREL HO Nineteen Elevatior feet. AATERSKI Twenty mi vation a feet. i ^ i 1 The Mrs. Lena Frank, Prop. TANNERSVILLE, GREENE COUNTY, NE\37 YORK. « ..<.j«»*~-'* LESS than five hours distant from New York City. Af- fords a delig-htful summer home accomodating- more than two hundred g-uests. It is an ideal phice for rest and comfort; truly the Family Hotel of the Catskill Mountains. The Blythewood overlooks the Villag-e of Tannersville and the surroundings country. The scenery is the most beautiful in the entire Catskill rang-e. The tennis court and croquet g-rounds are at the base of a shady hill, offering- a cool retreat on the warmest days. The Blythewood is a four story hotel, with large, airy rooms, lig-hted throug-hout by gas. Its larg-e parlors, sun room and well conducted cuisine have made it widely known and deservedly popular. The Western Union Telegraph Office is in the hotel, and three mails daily. The hotel and grounds have been greatly improved. The fine alley is a favorite with the bowlers. Well appointed Livery, stagfes to all trains and accom- modations for outing- parties of every kind. The Blythe- wood is close to all points of interest. Sin^pson Terrace.^ STAMFORD, N. Y. Elevation 1,900 feet, and is situated on hig-h g^round, facing- the beautiful Delaware Valley, and commanding- the most extended view in Stamford of the villag-e, valley and surrounding- mountains. It is within a short walk of railroad station, post office, telegraph and express offices, bank, churches and town hall. Simpson Terrace is heated with hot water heat, and furnished with modern improvements, including- electric lig-hts, bath and toilet rooms on each floor. Sanitary sewer- ag-e connected with village system. The rooms are large and furnished with g-ood beds. For booklet and rates, address TvlRS R. C SIN/[PSON. GEORGE R. KNAPP, Proprietor. Ibaines jfalls, ^ ^ Ittew l^ork. ELEVATION, 2,600 FEET. This house is situated about three-quarters ot a mile from Haines Cor- ners Station on the Kaaterskill Railroad, on high elevation overlooking Haines Falls village. Sunset, Santa Cruz and Twilight Parks, also having an ex- tended view looking through and beyond the famous Kaaterskill Clove to the Berkshire Hills in the distance. House newly built and furnished. Accommodations for thirty guests. Pure spring wafer in abundance. Plenty of shade. Fresh butter, eggs and milk furnished from the place. The driveway between Twilight and Onteora Parks makes this a very desirable location for the summer season. No ma- laria. No mosquitoes, Nearbv drives are Haines Falls, Twilight Park, Kaaterskill Falls, Hotel Kaaterskill and the famous Catskill Mountain House. Livery will be furnished on application. Good Trout Fishing and Hunt- ing in season. Terms: $7 to $io per week, according to location of room. Transients, $2 per day. Special terms by the week or month to families. Circulars and other information cheerfully "furnished on application. 132 Cl)c (UcstDolm, MRS. H. S. PRESTON. STAMFORD, DELAWARE COUNTY, N. Y. M^^^^ ^^^ Is situated in the western pai't of the villag-e of Stamford ; has accommodations for forty persons. The house is new, and has all modern improvements for the convenience and comfort of the refined and better class of summer visitors. The rooms are larg-e, and many of them connecting-, while all have remarkably pleasant views both of mountain and valley. Great care has also been taken to have the plumb- ing" work as perfect as possible. Within five minutes' walk of depot, post office or either of the five churches in the vil- lage. Cuisine the best. References g-iven if desired. Terms: — $10 to $18 per week. Special arrang-ements with parties remaining- during- the season. Parties will be met at the depot upon notification. No applications desired from Hebrews. ■^ c IS •n ^ C eg . £ M ^ tn O is 'I * _« _£! 01 . r! Q. t- — o E >« Z U c c ■ B S >, E — ^ c s -^ 5 ^^ « ai E n .^^-^?ii5 THE REXMERE. S. E. Churchill, M. D., Stamford, New York. Opens June 29, igoi. Thoroughly modern and up to date. Located in Churchill Park. Grounds connect with stone walks of the village. Elevator, orchestra, golf course on hotel grounds. Drinking water from Rexmere spring. Service and cuisine first-class. 40 bath room suites. Applv in May and June to E. R. Jenkins, asst. mgr.. No. 3 Park Place, New York, Mondavs and Tuesdays, 10 A. M. to i P. M. 135 ^,m^ THE cd^Si^ Four and one-half hours front New Yotk, Season of 1901 opens lune 23i'd, Transient Rate $4.00 per day. Special Rates for the season. No fogs. No malaria. Elevation 2,500 feet. Pure spring water. Pure, dry air. Per- fect sewerage. No mosquitos. Greatest health resort in the Catskills. Only hotel on Mountain Top reached by broad guage railroad direct to grounds. No transfers. Temperature even and from 15° to 20° cooler than in New York or Pniladelphia. Resident physician and pharmacy in hotel. Also, post oftke, telegraph oftice, news stands, etc. Three concerts daily. The hotel has a frontage of 675 feet. Broad piazzas extend along front of main building. Only hotel on mountain top with direct access by rail ; parlor cars direct to hotel grounds from New York or Philadelphia without change. The most popular hotel in this famous and delightful region. Excellent trout fish- ing, beautiful drives and walks. Personal application may be made in New York to M. P. ROBINSON, Manager, Hotel Victoria, 27th street and Broadway. Oftke hours — 10 to 12 A. M., 2 to z, P. M., and after June 25th to Summit Mountain Post Office, Ulster Co., N. Y. Open until late in September. D. J. SPRAGUE. W, B. MARTIN, Proprietor. PHOENICIA, ULSTER COUNTY. N. Y. Close to the station. Junction of Ulster & Delaware and Stony Clove & Catskill Mountain Railroads. Refreshments of all kinds served at short notice. Meals prepared at any hour by notifying- proprietor by wire. Several of the best trout streams in the mountains are in this vicinity, and g-ood hunting- but a short distance from house. Sing-le and double turnouts furnished at reasonable rates to take parties fishing-, hunting- or driving-. First-class accommodations. Barber shop in house. Direct telephone and telegraph communica- tion with the city. For other particulars and information as to hunting- and fishing-, board, etc., address as above. W. B. MARTIN, (Formerly Proprietor of Martin House, Lexington, N. Y.) TERMS $2.00 PER DAY. -^- SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS BY THE WEEK OR MONTH. l:!7 ]V[apIehutst House, mountains SHEdlDAN L KERR, Proprietor. HAINES FALLS, GREENE CO., N. Y. Elevation 2,c;oo feet. Situated iX miles from Haines Corners Station and 2 miles from Tannersville Station on Kaaterskill Railroad, charmingly situa- ted on the southern slope of North Mountain, overlooking Sunset, Santa Cruz and Twilight Parks. The view from the wide piazza looking through the famous Kaaterskill Clove, and beyond to the Berkshire Hills, is unsurpassed. Parlor has large open fire place. Large airy dining room. Bath and toilet rooms, hot and cold water, and all conveniences of a modern boarding house and pleasant summer home. The house recently enlarged and now can com- fortably accommodate qo guests. Walks and drives innumerable and unsur- passed. A few may be mentioned: Haines Falls, Twilight Park, Lauref House, Kaaterskill Falls, Hotel Kaaterskill and the famous Catskill Mountain House. The grounds are extensive and well shaded. Pure spring water irt abundance. Plenty of fresh eggs, milk, meats, butter, etc. The manage- ment of this house will endeavor to study the pleasure and comfort of its guests in every respect. First-class livery connected with house. Carriage will meet guests at any train if timely notice is given. REFERENCES:— Louis Walsh, 15-17 Hudson Street, New York city; Alfred Hatscher, Pharmacist, 866 Broadway, Brooklyn. N Y.; Mr H. E. Bean. loth and Market Streets. Phila- delphia. Pa.; Mr. James F. Armstrong, 5116 Lancaster Avenue, station W, Philadelphia, Pa. Rates and circulars cheerfully furnished on application. Special rates to families for the season. No Hebrews need apply. ROUTES:— West Shore route preferred. Parlor, drawing room and day coaches through without change from Philadelphia, Pa., Jersey City, Weehawken and New York City, direct to Haines Corners station orviaN. Y. C.&H, R. R. R. to Rhinecliff, then via ferry to Rondout, then via U, & D. R. R., or Albany Day Line steamers to Kingston Point viaU, & D. R. R. direct to Haines Corners. Through day coaches direct. You will find it pleasant at the Maplehurst. 13.S WINDSOR HOTEL, ONEONTA, N. V. FOUR STORY, BRICH, ELEVATION 1250 FEET* The Windsor is fiiielv furnished, modern improvements, electric lights steam heat, electric bells. Each room has call boy service. Baths, perfect sewerage, etc. Table service unsurpassed. No details overlooked for: the comfort and enjoyment of the guests. Long distance telephone, churches, stores, telegraph and express offices within one minute's walk of the hotel. Pure spring water through the house, no malaria, no fogs or mosquitoes. Finest halt- mile race track in the State of New York. Trotting races everv few weeks during the season. Train service perfect to all points. Through parlor cars from Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City and New York via West Shore R. R. and Ulster & Delaware R. R. From all points west, by way of Albany or Binghamton, via the D. & H. R. R. Rates from $8.00 to $20.00 per week. For diagram of rooms and any other information, address O. G. RICHMOND & CO., 139 ONtOXTsfi, IV. 1\ (,1^9 P^rH |^ou5e, HAINES F/VLLS, GREENE COUNTY, N. Y. THIS Summer Resort accommodates about one hunJreJ guests, and is located in the most central and picturesque region of the Catslnx'=3forc9t, . . . » Ibaincs ifalle, m, 1?. C. A- MARTIN. Proprietor. A Summer Resort on the Catskills. Actual Elevation, 1,936 Feet. Four Hours from New York. Located at Haines Falls on the Catskills, at the immediate head of the renowned Kaaterskill Clove, and commands the view through the Clove, across the Hudson Valley. For half a century the Kaaterskill Clove and its surroundings have been known and noted as a region of much singular wildness and scenic beauty, and to include the grandest and most charming scenery of the Catskill Mountains. The elevation is 1,936 feet above the mean tide at New York, actual measurement. The varying difference in temperature on the mountains and below, causes cool currents of air to continually pass through the Clove, and the situation of the house is such as to receive their full benefit. The place is absolutely free from malaria and mosquitoes. Good trout fishing in June ; quail, woodcock and partridge shooting in their season. The three parks— Sunset Park, Twilight Park and Santa Cruz Falls Park— are one- fourth to one-half mile distant, facing and in view from Lox-Hurst. The house was designed especially as a superior summer boarding h ouse, to be attract- ive, convenient and comfortable, and was built in 1884 and 1895. It accommodates 75 people. The piazzas are very broad and long, and a refreshing breeze sweeps across them. A lawn tennis court is provided with net, and the larger parlor contains a good piano. Large open fire-places in parlor and dining room. The furniture of the bed-rooms is of oak, ash and elm, with woven-wire bed springs. The terms are $8 to $12 per week. Hot and cold baths, and all the latest sanitary im- provements. Liverv connected with the house. Access :—Lo.x-Hurst is reached from the Hudson River via City of Kingston. From City of Kingston bv Ulster & Delaware Railroad to Haines Corners Station, which is but one-eighth mile from the house. Through parlor car and day coach service from Phila- delphia, Pa., Jersey City, Weehawken and New York without change of cars, direct to Haines Corners. Besides through tickets, e.xcursion tickets, good for the summer, may be purchased via either route. Baggage is checked through to Haines Corners Station from principal points. There are three mails daily to and from New York. Long distance telephone and tele- graph offices in the house. Concerning Hebrews:— People notfamiliar with the Catskills know that, except at the larger hotels, the Jews and Gentiles will not generally board at the same house. This is to be regretted -, but being a fact, the houses have to take one class or the other. Therefore, the proprietor begs to sav that Lox-Hurst accommodates Gentiles only. The Twilight Park 'golf grounds are opposite the Lox-Hurst. Games can be plainly seen from the piazza. 11 161 IRew ©rant IDouee, STAMFORD, DELEWARE COUNTY, N,. Y OPENS under new manag^ement for season of 1901 on June 1st. Beautiful location, unsurpassed cuisine and attendance. Close by the Utsayantha Golf Links. Five minutes from Churches and Post Office. Rooms arrang-ed en suite or singly, and are well furn- ished and provided with electric lights, bells, etc. Special rates for June and September. Manag-ement prefers not to entertain Hebrews. For particulars address E. C. HAINFORD, Proprietor. Stamford, N. Y. 162 IN THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. PROSPECT HOUSE SEASON 1901. 'MM.M J. M. CANNANE, Proprietor. St^e Qolufr\bia. THIS well known established hotel is lo- cated on the most eligible site on the heights of Hunter Village and in the cen- tre of the Catskill Mountains. The rooms are large and well ventilated. The veranda, one of the features of the hotel, is from i; to IN feet wide and 200 feet long, and facing the aUracTive am\isement' halT in Hunrer! highest point of the Catskill Range. It is ' abundantly supplied with pure spring water from Mt. Canon — the best known spring on the mountain. Its recuperating and stimulat- ing effects are marvelous. "The Columbia" is one of the finest Bowl- ing Alleys in the Catskills, and a large and nicely arranged hall for entertainments. It consists of a reading room, ice cream parlors, &c. The appointments of the Columbia are the best in these mountains : as no pains or expense have been spared to make it the most SOME OF ITS ATTRACTIONS. The e.xtensive and beautiful grounds over About the most notable example of a really first-class up-to-date, comfortable and home- like hotel of which the Catskills can boast is the Prospect House. This is not "self praise," but the freely and repeatedlv ex- expressed opinion of its many patrons. acres, by which the house is surrounded : Neither effort nor expense have been spared add to its attractiveness as a Summer Resort. | since its construction in keeping it up to a The shady walks and cool quiet retreats, where one may enjoy, undisturbed, the most magnificent scenery in the world. Mt. Canon, directly back, commands a fine view; to the left is Red Glen, a romantic and shady place; below, the beautiful Pine Grove covering several acres ; in front is Hunter Mountain, the highest in the Catskills, 4.252 feet, the Colonel's Chair and Stony Clove; on the left, Indian Head and Twin Mountain ; on the right, the Schoharie Creek winds its wa>- down the valley, whilst on the north Spruce Top rears its magnificent head. The manifold strictly hi.gh-class metropolitan standard its appointments. The best markets are daily requisitioned by the enterprising management of the Prospect House, and its paramount specialty is "home cooking," backed by the most faultless ser- vice. Semi-daily mail. New York graph, &c. House has been thoroughly repaired for the coming season. The owner will spare no pains to make the papers tele- advantages and matchless charms of the summer visitor's stay at the Hunter Mountain Catskill Mountains are impossible of eniimer ation. The bracing, invigorating tonic at- mosphere makes this resort especialU' desira- ble to invalids as well as a delightful place of rest and recuperation during the Summer months. Prospect House a pleasant one. Sanitary arrangements perfect. Accommodations for 200 guests. TERMS : According to location and length of stay. Direct Parlor Car accommodations without change from New York. Jersey City and Philadelphia to Hunter, via West Shore Railroad, or New York Central and Hudson River Railroad to Kingston, thence by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad to Hunter. The Standard Gauge between Phoenicia and Hunter is now completed. Dav and night line steamers from New York to Kingston Point, where direct connections are made to Hunter. Excursion rates by rail and steamers, 1(;3 Cl)c Fairmont... S. MACOBSOIM, Prop., TJXNNERSVILLE, Greene Co., N. V. ELEVATION 2,300 FEET. CAPACITY 150 GUESTS. This newly built and well furnished house is situated five minutes' walk from the station and occupies a site on Clum Hill, by the road to Elka Park. From its Piazzas can be obtained a fine view of the village and the beautiful surrounding peaks. The grounds, ten acres in extent, contain pine groves, spruce, birch and fruit trees, tennis and croquet plots. Abundance of pure water from spring near the house. The rooms are light, large and perfectly ventilated, some en suite. Improvements, such as gas, hot and cold water, sanitary plumbing (according to Dr. Chandler system). Telephone and tele- graphic service near at hand. Livery and laundry needs attended to. The excellence of our cuisine (strictly Kosher) has made the Fairmont deservedly popular and placed at the head of its rivals. For terms apply to S. JACOBSON, 123 E. 82ND STREET, NEW YORK CITY* After July lo, address THE FAIRMONT, TANNERSVILLE, GREENE CO,, N. V. 104 dvtm J. C. CORNISH, Proprietor, PINE HILL, - - ULSTER CO., N Y. 'm^c ELEVATION 1.700 FEET- Is picturesquely situated in the beautiful Shandaken Valley, on the side of Belle Ayr Mountain, overlooking- the Villag-e of Pine Hill. House has Baths, Hot and Cold Water, Toilets, Open Sanitary Plumbing-, and is an Ideal Summer Home. Ten minutes from depot. Convenient to Stores, Churches, Post Office, Telephone and Telegraph Offices. Only four hours from New York City. Accommodates 100 g-uests. Terms : $8 to $15 per week. S2.50 to S3 per day. For particulars, booklets, etc., address as above. ^'Hallenbeck House, W. I. HALLENBECK, Proprietor. HAINES FALLS. GREENE CO., N. Y. rlRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS for 50 guests. House newly furnished, Bath Rooms, Flush Closets on every floor. Lighted with gas: open fire places. Table supplied with fresh vegetables from hotel farm, milk, eggs and butter. French Chef. In fact a First-class Hotel in everv respect. Free 'bus meets all trains. Music Hall, with Orchestra, jn connection. Laundry in hotel. Telephone in office. Telegraph Office and Post Office two minutes' walk. Situated near Hotel Kaaterskill, Kaaterskill and Haines Falls, and Twilight and Sunset Parks. ACCESS : Hallenbeck's Hotel can be reached via West Shore Railroad from Weehawken to Kingston ; thence by Ulster & Delaware direct to Haines Falls without change of cars, or by boat to Kingston Point ; thence by rail as above. Address W. I. HALLENBECK, Haines Falls, Greene Co., N. Y. BELAVARE HB^JSE FRED M. TINGLEY, Proprietor, STAnrORB, BELAVARE 60., N. Y. Elevation 2,000 feet. Accommodations for 40 Guests. The Delaware House is pleasantly situated on Main Street, within a short walk from the Post Office, Depot, Banks and Churches. The house has spacious verandas, is heated by steam, lig-hted by electricity, and has all modern improvements. The tables will be supplied with an abund- ance of fresh eg-g-s, butter, milk, poultry, fruits, vegetables, etc., direct from the farm. No pains will be spared to make it a first-class summer home. Free 'bus to and from all trains. Terms— $2.00 per day, $8.00 to $12.00 per week. Special rates to families. 1(17 ¥ ©rabam. PRATTSVILLE, N. Y. If you are looking for health, happiness, a pleasant home and a good time generally, write The Graham at once and secure rooms before its too late. If you want all of the above and plenty of good food for your body at $5 or $6 per week, write some one else for it. Our Terms are $8 to $10. CAN ACCOMMODATE FIFTY PEOPLE AND SATISFY THEM Upon application will send circulars giving numer- ous references. Long Distance Telephone in the house. The Graham is situated in the centre of three acres of finely laid out grounds with an abundance of shade. Excursions can be made by carriage in a day to Lexing- ton, Hunter, Tannersville, Hotel Kaaterskill, Elka Park. Windham. Mt. Pisgah, Gilboa, Roxbury and Stamford. A good Livery connected with the house. Excursion- ists desiring dinners at The Graham can be well served by giving a day's notice. Call us up on the 'phone. W. X. GRAHAM, Proprietor, Prattsville, N. Y. (Grand Gorge Station.) SUMMER IN THE CATSKILLS. ELEVA510N 2000. ACCOm/nODAGiONS FOR 150 GUESGS FOUR fTVAlLS DAILY. StanOarC) (5aucje 3Facill (es tbis ll)ear. ^lime anD IFare 1Re&uccO. ©nig one Cbange bg IRail or 36oat via Ikinciston. This well known and attractive Summer Resort is pleasantlv located in the heart of the Catsl\ilis, central to all points or interest and within a few steps of the depot, telegraph and post office. Among the many places of easy access are the famous Kaaterskill and Haines Falls, the great Hotel Kaaterskill, the historic CatskiU Mountain and Laurel Houses, romantic Sleepy Hollow and Fawn's Leap, while the sur- rounding mountain sides are dotted with quaint and beautiful parks, including Elka, Twilight, Onteora, Sunset, Schoharie Manor. The rooms are large, cool and finely furnished. One hundred and fwentv-five feet of piazzas twelve feet in width extends around the house. The table will be unexcelled. Terms reasonable. Address GEO. CAMPBELL, Prop,, Tannersville, fSI. V. /ICCESS ;— West Shore R. R. via Kingston, all rail to Tannersville Bus meets all trains. BIG INDIAN, ULSTER CO., N. Y. On the Line of the Ulster & Delaware l^ailroad. w I^^HE Lament house is situated at the mouth e) of the Big Indian Valley, 1,209 feet above the [l^ level of the sea; is 122 miles from New York City, and is the nearest Hotel to Slide Mountain, which is 4,220 feet hig-h. The house is open all the year to accommodate Fishino- and Hunting I^arties. House ac- commodates forty guests. No malaria or mosquitoes. Cool nights and Shady grounds. CONVENIENCES: Post Office and Telegraph next door. No charge to or from depot. Livery attached to Hotel. Parlor Cars to and from New York. Toilet and Bath in house^ GOOD TKOUT FISHING IN SE(ISON. Streams not Posted, and they are Stocked by the State Hatchery every year. THE TABLE HAS THESE ADVANTAGES^ Vegetables from the garden. Milk and EijQrs from the (arm. best cuts of Meat used, and Pure^ Soft Spring: Water in the house. RATES : Per Day, $L50. Per Week, $7 to $10. For Special Rates address GEORGE W. LAMENT, Big Indian. Ulster Co., N. Y. Summit of the Breezy Catskill Mountains. lit Wiii^mSl H):aam% L. L. WOODARD. Proprietor. Tannersville, Greene Countc), K« Y, A first-class summer resort on the summit of the fat-iamed and delightful Catskill Moun- tains. Central to all points of interest, among which are the famous Kaaterskill and Haines Falls, the great Hotel Kaaterskill and the historic Catskill Mountain and Laurel Houses, the wonderful Plattekill, Kaaterskill and Stony Cloves ; the towering Hunter Moun- tain, Mt. Lincoln,' romantic Sleepy Hollow and Rip V'anWinkle's region; while the sur- rounding mountain sides are dotted with quaint and beautiful parks, including Onteora, Elka, Schoharie, Glen, Sunset and Twilight communities. Elevation, 2,500 above tidewater. Four hours from New York city by two all-rail routes The house extends back (not shown in cut), giving comfortable accommodations for forty guests. The rooms are large and airy, and several are arranged for the convenience of families. Nineteenth season. The view from the 600 square feet of veranda is fine. The table is abundantly supplied with fresh vegetables, milk, poultry and city dressed beef. Pure spiing water and baths in the house. The streets are sprinkled and lighted Crushed stone roads. Livery connected. Railroad depots, telegraph, long distance telephone and post-offices within five minutes' walk. Bowling, billiards and all kindred amusements near. The grounds are graded and shaded. Tennis and croquet grounds. House open from June ist until October ist. Terms, $7 to $10 per week ; per dav, $1.50. Special season rates to families. Access by boat or rail to Kingston (West Shore route preferable), Ulster & Delaware route to Tannersville. Carriages meet all trains. No Hebrews taken. Further particulars cheerfully furnished on application. REFERENCES— W. A. Rally, 24 South Pine avenue, Box 405, Albany, N. Y. ; Dr. George H. Dickey, 158 Madison avenue, Flushing, N. Y. ; Mr. John Terhune, 360 Bainsbridge street, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Conrad F. Nagel, 115 Broadway, New York City. 171 E\^(( f[\oun[a\n I99, THOMAS R. MOORE PINE aiLL, N. Y. •tilt V.oU *«"'! Ibigb Class accommo^ation0. lExccllent enable. ]Eleaant,1Rew ©fficc. HOUSE LIGHTED THROUGHOUT BY ELECTRICITY. Laundry removed from the Inn into separate building-, mak- ing- every room cool and comfortable. Write for terms. Bowling alleys, billiards, wheeling-. SePCR H AMONG THE CATSKILLS. THIS superbly located Summer Resort is situated one mile from the Village of Wind- ham, on high, dry ground. The sanitary arrangements of thelhouse are modern, and has spring water on all floors, with toilet and bath. There is a grove of pines at the rear of the house, and a beautiful glen within short walking distance. Then there is the short drive to Summit, where from a spur of High Peak, you can look into five different states. Mala-ia and kindred diseases are unknown here. Actual elevation, i,8oo feet. There are fifty guest rooms, which are good sized, cool and airy, and are furnished with comfortable beds. Grand piazzas 12.X150 feet, e.xtensive lawns, beautifully shaded by grand old trees. There is a large Amusement Hall and Bowling Alley on the premises ; also Lawn Tennis and Croquet Grounds, a fine 200-yard Rifle Range; in fact nearly everything for amusement and comfort. The cuisine is under an excellent chef. There is a Livery con- nected with the house, which will convey parties, at reasonable rates, to different points of interest, some of which are Hotel Kaaterskill, Catskill Mountain House, Kaaterskill Falls, Haines Falls, Devasego Falls, Mt Pisgah, etc. Mails and telegrams delivered at the house. New York daily papers. tRoutC : New York to Hunter via Night Boats to Kingston, or Steamers Albany and New York to Kingston Point, or via West Shore R. R., or via New York Central & Hudson River R. R. Fare reduced from New York to Hunter. Through parlor .car service from New York. House is eight miles from Hunter Station. Parties will be met at.Hunter upon noti- fying the proprietor. Ucrms: $6 to $15. References e.\changed. Parties who come to this house and find anything not as represented will be conveyed to any house in this vicinity without charge. No Hebrews. Special pains will be taken for the comfort and entertainment of^guests. 173 NTAIN HonE, ALSO KNOWN AS COE'S HOTEL, O. R. COE, Proper and Owner, WINDHAM, N. Y. TERMS : Per Day, $2.00 ; per Week, $7.00 to $8.00 when two or more occupy one room, and $7.00 to $10.00 for one person rooming alone. For other months than July and August, $6.00 to $8.00 per week. Absolute free- dom from malaria. Means of Access : Leave New York via West Shore R. R. about iiijo A. M. for Kings- ton ; or via the Albany Day Boat about g A M. for Kingston Point; thence to Hun- ter via the Ulster & Delaware R. R., arriving about 4:50 P. A\., where my private conveyance will be found in waiting (when advised sufficient time in advance), to convey guests quickly and comfortably to the hotel. Through parlor car service direct to Hunter. (It will be much more convenient for us to meet guests at that hour than on the arrival of earlier or later trains.) Numerous references, among those who have been the guests of this house, given when desired. The table will be supplied with a great abundance of fresh cream, milk, eggs, poul- try, meats vegetables, fish, fruit, honey, etc. This house has connected with it extensive and shady grounds, a lawn tennis court and croquet grounds. A strictly Temperance House in the well known temperance town of Windham. Two daily mails, telegraph, telephone and post office near the house. The shady walks and rambles from the house are unsurpassed in their beauty and picturesque views. The road that passes through this village is for many miles the finest that is found anvwhere in the Catskills, making the drives unusually pleas- ant and attractive. Bicycle riders will find most e.xcellent opportunities to enjoy wheeling. The house is situated on Main street, near the centre of the village, which is recognized as the neatest and most beautiful in all its appointments and surroundings in the Catskills. By reason of a slight bend in the street, a beautiful view from the piazzas of the house is had of Main street, bordered on either side by grand old sugar maples. The proprietor has teams and accommodations for conveying guests to and from depots with their baggage, and also for conveying excursion parties to the many places of interest in the mountains. Applicants are requested to mention Advertisement in this book. 174 ^ANNERSVILLE, in the Catskill Mountains, is the place where the IS business man, the mother with her children and all who wish to % ,_ _._.._ 'JIL spend their summer vacations in an ideal mountain resort, should go. It is situated about 2,200 feet above the sea level, has all the facilities, advan- tages and attractions that the heart may desire, and is surrounded on every side by lofty and voluminous mountains.' The beauty of its scenery cannot fail but to attract those artistically inclined. The " ELKA VIEW" is a modern three-story structure, thoroughly equipped with sanitary plumbing, bath rooms, telephone and telegraph stations and everv known convenience for the accommodation of its guests, it is situated within walking distance from post office and railroad station. The view to be obtained of the surrounding country is simply magnificent and no illustration can do justice to the scene, particularlv at sunset. The spacious grounds surrounding the " ELKA VIEW " afford ample facilities for Croquet, Lawn Tennis, Base Rail, etc., and extensive play grounds for children. A Bowling Allev and Billiard Parlor on the premises, for the devotees of this kind of amusement. THE CiyiSf/WE— Will be under the personal supervision of Mrs. Hannah Silverman, whose care and anxietv to please her guests and the fact of past success, is a positive guarantee that the food will be unsurpassed. We have our own dairy and raise our own fowl. Mr. M. Silverman, the proprietor, will take personal charge of the pastry department, which is assurance in itself that it will be properly taken care of, for his experience and ability has kept in line with his reputation. THE LIVERV connected with the house will convey all guests to and from the station ; arrangements can also be made for carriage parties, drives, etc., to the numerous points of interest in the vicinity. RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT FACILITIES. Tanners\ille can be reached b\- the West Shore R. R., and the Albany Day Line. Both lines make direct connection with Ulster & Delaware R. R. The " ELKA VIEW " will be open for guests en May 15th. Rates and diagram of rooms on application, or representative will call if so desired- For further information, apply to M. SILVERMAN, ^^^ ^- Su^nT,rM?v"'-.5t';!^^ ^^^'^ After that date to "Elka View," TANNERSVILLE, GREENE CO., N. Y. 175 THE AHREHIGAn TANNERSVILLE. N. Y. Summer Resort in the Catskills. B. LEIBOWITZ, Prop. TLbc Scventeentb Season. == I. BINSKY, Gen. Man. 5 ^Tbe Seventecntb Season. God made the country and man made the town. What wonder, then, that health and virtue, gifts That alone make sweet the bitter draught That life holds out to all, should most abound And be least threatened, in the fields and groves. The Rev. C: Rockwell who was familiar with Summer scenery in widely remote regions declares to have never seen elsewhere, hues so delicate, so varied and of such richly glow- ing and surpassing beautv as are presented on the sides and summits or the Catskill Moun- tains which he attributes'to the pure, clear air. The scenery is indeed magnificent, the air is invigorating and there are many objectionable features of summer time in the mountains that will not have to be endured by those who are in need of rest, health and communion with nature's beauties. The American will remain open during May until October, for the accommodation of those desiring to spend the Summer months in the Catskills. A first class hotel on the summit of the far famed and delightful Catskills. Central to all points of interest including the Kaaterskill and Platterkill regions. Hunter Mountain, Stony Clove, while the surround- ing peaks are dotted with quaint and beautiful parks, including Onteora, Elka, Schoharie, Sunset and Twilight communities. Elevation 2,soo feet. Four hours from New York city by two all rail routes. Accommo- dations for 75 guests. First class livery connected which can be had at very moderate rates. Four mails dailv. The table is abundantly supplied with fresh vegetables, milk and poultry direct from farm. Western dressed beef . Railroad depots, telegraph and post of- fices within five minutes' walk. Crushed stone roads. Sidewalks. The view from the spacious veranda is inspiring, embracing the entire region surround- ing and overlooking the village of Tannersville. The terms are reasonable. Correspondence regarding rooms, climate and further particulars, is respectfully solicited. ^ „ ■ ^ a Large parlor open fire place. Large airv dining room. Plenty room for dancing. Oooa musical attendance. Spacious croquet and tennis grounds ; also play grounds for children. IRoscber cooking a specialtv. Direct parlor and day coach service from Washington, Bal- timore Philadelphia, Pa , jersey Citv and New York without change of cars. Carriages meet ail trains. The management of this house endeavors to give general satisfaction and the comfort of guests will be studied in every respect. 170 1823. 79th season. 1901. Catskill ^t. House, Chas. and Geo. H. Beach, Mgrs. CATSKILL, N. Y. ELEVATIOni, 2250 FEET. OPEN JUNE 29 TO SEPTEMBER 16. Tlie (inly hotel that commands the famous view of the Hudson River Valley. The Mountain House Park Has a a valley frontage of over three miles in extent and consists of 2780 acres of magnificent forest and farm lands, traversed in all directions by many miles of wood trails and carriage roads leading to points of interest. The Grandest Views of the Region Are obtained from the Crest, Newman's Ledge, Bear's Den, Prospect Rock on North Mountain ; and Eagle Rock and Palenville Overlook on South Mountain, which are included in the mountain house property. niorth and South Lakes Are also included within its boundaries. The atmosphere is delightfully pure. Ahsolutely Free from Malaria, The temperature is alwavs i; to 20 degrees lower than at Catskill village, New York City or Philadelphia. /I Powerful Search Light, On the east front, will be operated from g to 11 P. M., reflecting its light over twelve thousand square miles of the Hudson River Valley. The hotel is lighted throughout by electric lights. Call and return cajl bells. Long dis- tance telephone and telegraph office in the hotel. Sanitary plumbing. The Water Supply is Abundant: The spring is over two miles distant, far up toward tne crest of North Mountain, with nothing above or around but a spruce and hemlock forest, and, as the land is owned by the Hotel Company, contamination is impossible. The Out Door Amusements, The life in this invigorating air makes out-door amusements especially sought for and enjoyed. The golf links were laid out by Mr. John Dunn of New York. The boat livery privilege has been granted to Messrs. Byles & Hoff of Bayonne, New Jersey, who furnish canoes, out-riggers and row boats of the most approved pattern. Accessible by Following Routes z Pennsylvania Railroad from Philadelphia. Washington and intermediate stations makes connections and solid trains are run over the West Shore and Ulster & Delaware Railroads to Kaaterskill station located within the boundaries of the Catskill Mountain House Park, and only ^4 of a mile drive over a smooth level road to the hotel. VIA RHINEBECK. RONDOUT AND KINGSTON. New York Central & Hudson River Railroad to Rhinebeck; Hudson River Day Line to Kingston Point; Rondout Night Line to Rondout; West Shore Railroad to Kingston; Ulster lV Delaware Railroad to Kaaterskill station; -'4 of a mile to the hotel. Stages meet all trains. Purchase tickets and check baggage to Kaaterskill station. RATES FOR BOARD, Weekly rates to July 15th, $16 to $21; daily, $3.^0; weekly rates from July 15th to September ist, $17-50 to ^25; daily^, $4; September "weekly rates, $16 to $21; daily $4. Children less than ten years of age, occupying rooms with their parents or maids, $10.rj(» per week; by ihe day $2. Children at regular talile will be charged same as adults. Maids oemipviug servants' rooms and taking meals at 'jhildreu's table $10.50 per week; $2 per day. No dugs al- lowed. 177 '^^'^ •J 1 gL,i N ^] ^^ OS ^ Pu c^ ^ k^ ^ 1^1 ro § >^^a: ^1 ?^ en ^^^ ^ 5^ "^^ -^ JA lA 1^1 u ^1 d '> (t ^ hJ o c/i' H ^ o H t/1 z o Oh < Z h z < en pli a: a o u ^ u :c w o So H Oti CL P D w o OQ w Q ^ t^ z u b o Z CL, D< ITS VISITORS TO THE rtIi\=(lfIEHlCtlN EXrOSITION SHOULD SEE THE HUDSON RIVER BY DAYLIGHT, The most Charming Inland Water Trip on the Ameri- can Continent. The Palace Iron !Steamers "NEW YORK" AND -ALBANY" of the HUDSON RIVER DAY LINE, DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY Leave New York, Desbrosses Street, 8:40 A. M. Leave New York, West 22d Street, N. R., q:oo A. M. Leave Albany, Hamilton Street, 8:30 A. M., landing at Yonkers, West Point, Newburg, Poughkeepsie, Kingston Point, Catskill and Hudson. THE ATTRACTIVE TOURIST ROUTE TO Catskill Mountains, Saratoga and the Adirondacks, Hotel Champlain and the North, Niagara Falls and the West. The Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River. Direct connections at Kingston Point with the Ulster & Delaware R. R., for all points in the Catskill Mountains. A trip on one of these famous steamers, on the noblest stream in the country, offers rare attractions. They are fitted up in the most elegant style, exclusively for passengers. Their great speed, fine orchestra, spacious sa- loons, private parlors and luxurious accommodations in every respect, render them unexcelled. Send six cents in stamps for "SUMMER EXCURSION BOOK." F. B. HIBBARD, General Oil ICE, E. E. OLCOTT, Gen'l Pass. Agt. Desbrosses Street Pier, Gen. Manager. New York City. 1Rip t^an Minklc, What a tale has been told us of good old Rip Van Winkle ! W'hat a favorite with all but old Dame Van Winkle ! How the children would shout with joy whenever he approached ! Whj', he asssted at their sports, made their playthings, taught them to fly kites and shoot marbles, and told them long stories about ghosts, witches and In-^ian*. Why, the stray dogs loved him, surrounded by a troop of them, hanging on his skirts, clambering on his back, playing a thousand tricks on him with impunity, and not a dog would bark at him throughout the neighborhood. Rip did not take kindly to labor for revenue, but Dame Van Winkle did. He was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who would take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever could be had with least thought or trouble, and would rather starve on a penny than work for a jjound. If left to hiin- self he would have wnistled life away in perfect contentment ; but his wife kept con- tinually dinning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he was bringing on his family. Morning, noon and night h -r t'>ngue was in essantly going, and evervthing he said or did was sure to produce a torrent of hotisehold eloquence. In search of quiet and rest old Rip star ed on a long ramble and unconsciously scrambled to one of the highest of the Catskill Mountains. Late in the afternoon, panting and fatigued, he threw himself on a green knoll, covered with mountain herbage that crowned the brow of a precipice. From an ■ pening between the trees he could overlook all the lower country for many a inile of rich woodland. He saw at a distance the lordly Hudson, far, far be- low him, tnoving on its silent but majestic course, with a reflection of a purple cloud, or the sail rf a lagging bark here and there sleeping on its glassy bosom and at last losing Itself in the blue Highlands. On the other side he looked down into the deep mountain glen, wild, lonely and shagged, the bottom filled with fragments from the iinpending cliff^s, and scarcely lighted by the reflected rays of the setting sun. For some time Rip lay musing on this scene. Evening was gradually advancing, and the beautiful mountains began to throw their long, bltie shadows over the valleys. He saw that it would be dark long before he could reach the village, and he heaved a heavy sigh when he thought of en- countering the terrors of Dame Van Winkle. Rip then met the queer little Dutch people. He was naturally a thirsty soul, and was soon tempted to help himself to their Holland beverage, which proved itself too strong for him. Twenty long years of silent slumber followed. The war of the Revolution took place ; George Washington was the hero of many a battle in the historic Hudson Valley against the force of King George III. Rip awoke and returned to town, where he had some difficulty in finding his folks and old acquaintances. Dame Van Winkle had gone forever, but his grandchildren remained. When railroads became the fashion and then a necessity, the ^est Shope H^ili'oad found its way up the silvery Hudson, and with the finest equipment ever run, and without change of cars, conveys passengers as no other line can, between Philadel- phia, Long Branch and New York, through to the heart of the CATSKILL MOUNTAINS to Oneonta, stopping at principal stations en route, and connectine at Kingston with a most complete car line from points from and between Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, which conveys passengers to Saratoga and Lake George! In aodition to this popular mountain line a sleeping car service, par excell- nee, is in efl'ect between New York, West Point, Albany, ,Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and St. Louis. Its agents will furnish information. C.E. LAMBERT, General PassLcnger Agent. Transit Building, No. 7 East Forty-second St., New Yorl\ Citv. ISO \ LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS MIAtt:* III I III nil III! _ M 014 432 776 7 %