John Jacob Loeffler is one of the great Catskills photographers of all time. He made hundreds of stereoviews of the Catskills throughout the 1870s and 1880s. The photographs, part of the series titled Catskill Mountain Scenery, demonstrate his skill and vision as well as the timeless beauty of the Catskills, being equally compelling today at they were 150 years ago.

In addition to his Catskills work, Loeffler photographed and published a stunning series of photographs under the title “Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity.” The series includes photographs of the Mohonk House, Lake Mohonk, Sky Top, Peterskill Falls, Eagle Rock, The Traps, Pinnacle Rocks, Rosendale Bridge, High Falls and much more.

Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity

First Series

Second Series

The famous Mohonk House resort, located near the village of New Paltz, was established in 1869 and continues to be a treasured destination today for those seeking the beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains region. Visit the Mohonk House website at www.mohonk.com for more information about accommodations, activities and history. Having stayed at the resort I can confirm that it is every bit as beautiful as the pictures make it out to be.

I have recently acquired a number of new photographs by John Jacob Loeffler from his “Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity” series. They have all been added to the Loeffler gallery, which now contains over 100 of his works.

House from Sky-Top Path. (1st Series, # 3)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: 1st Series, No. 3
Title: House from Sky-Top Path. House from Sky-Top Path

The Great Crevice. (1st Series, # 8)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: 1st Series, No. 8.
Title: The Great Crevice. The Great Crevice

From the Great Crevice. (1st Series, # 9)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: 1st Series, No. 9.
Title: From the Great Crevice. From the Great Crevice

Pine Bluff, looking North. (1st Series, # 11)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: 1st Series, No. 11.
Title: Pine Bluff, looking North. Pine Bluff, looking North

The West Shore. (2nd Series, # 32)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: 2nd Series, No. 32.
Title: The West Shore. The West Shore

The Bridge. (No series listed, # 20)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Mohonk Lake and Vicinity
Catalog #: No series listed, # 20.
Title: The Bridge. The Bridge

Lake Minnewaska. (No series listed; no number listed)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Mohonk Lake and Vicinity
Catalog #: No series listed, no number listed.
Title: None; utilizing Lake Minnewaska based on inscription on front left. Lake Minnewaska

Peterskill Falls. (No series listed; no number listed)Photographer: John Jacob Loeffler
Series name: Scenery of Lake Mohonk and Vicinity
Catalog #: No series listed, no number listed. Hand-written note on reverse side states “Peterskill Falls 8/15, 1882.” Based on that hand-written title this stereoview is likely 2nd Series, number 54, 55, 56 or 57.
Title: Peterskill Falls. Peterskill Falls