Catskills, Then and Now: Villa Maria
May 23, 2020
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Haines Falls, Greene County
The now abandoned Villa Maria property was first developed in 1903 by W. I. Hallenbeck and operated as The Fenmore. A 1913 advertisement described the resort as a “House newly built and newly furnished; lighted with electricity; bathrooms and closets; open fireplaces; steam heat for cool days; 75 guests. Large, cool s...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Fireman’s Hall at Kingston, New York
May 16, 2020
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Stockade District, Kingston, Ulster County
Fireman’s Hall at 265 Fair Street in Kingston, New York is the former home of the Wiltwyck Hose Company No. 1 at the Wiltwyck Fire Station. The fire company took its name from the original Wiltwyck Dutch settlement that was located on the site of modern-day Kingston. The building is included on the Nati...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Amelia Westbrook House
May 09, 2020
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Stockade District, Kingston, Ulster County
The Amelia Westbrook House was built circa 1831 by Joseph Smith, owner of a nearby general store. He had “apparently had two nearly identical houses built for speculation in the 1830s on his lot on East Front Street (now Clinton Avenue). He then divided the lot down the middle and sold the two houses se...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Gideon Frisbee House
May 02, 2020
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Delhi, Delaware County
Gideon Frisbee (1758-1828) was a man of many talents that through an industrious career included pioneer, farmer, justice of the peace, county treasurer, revolutionary war veteran, militia captain, tavern keeper, and vestryman. His Federal-style, two-story house, located two miles north of Delhi, was built in 1797 along th...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Livingston Manor Covered Bridge
April 25, 2020
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Livingston Manor, Sullivan County
The historic Livingston Manor Covered Bridge, formerly known as the Mott Flats Bridge and more recently as the Vantran Bridge, was originally built in 1860 by John Davidson, a Scottish immigrant, farmer, lumberman and famous Catskills covered bridge builder. The bridge was restored to its original beauty in 1984...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Fitch’s Covered Bridge
April 18, 2020
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East Delhi, Delaware County
The historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge was constructed in 1870 by James Frazier and James Warren at a cost of $1,900. The bridge is a single span, one lane wide, constructed using native materials and is 106 feet long as it spans the West Branch of the Delaware River. The bridge was originally located on Kingston Street...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Senate House at Kingston, New York
April 11, 2020
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Stockade District, Kingston, Ulster County
The Senate House in the historic Stockade District of Kingston was the meeting place of the first New York State Senate in September and October 1777. The elected representatives met in this simple stone house that was constructed in 1676 and owned by Abraham Van Gaasbeek, a local merchant. The patriots...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Millbrook Covered Bridge
April 04, 2020
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Hardenburgh, Ulster County
The Millbrook Covered bridge, also known as the Grant Mills Covered Bridge, was originally constructed in 1902 by Edgar Marks, his son Orrin Marks and Wesley Alton. Bridge construction, assisted by local craftsman, took place over the course of nearly seven months, opening to traffic on December 8, 1902.
The town la...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Pieter Bronck House
March 28, 2020
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Greene County Historical Society, Coxsackie, Greene County
The original, single room Bronck House was constructed in 1663 by Pieter Bronck, a Swedish immigrant and former tavern and brewery owner in what is now Albany. The house was later enlarged in 1685 and 1738 to accommodate the growing family and fortunes. The house was the center of the Br...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Heermance Memorial Library
March 21, 2020
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Reed Street Historic District, Coxsackie, Greene County, New York
The Heermance Memorial Library is located on Ely Street within the Reed Street Historic District in the village of Coxsackie. The library was founded in 1908 upon the passing of Eleanor Christina Heermance (1820-1907), a prominent local resident. In her will Miss Heermance, with t...
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Kinch Brothers: 40 Years of Community Photography
March 08, 2020
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Harvey and Edgar Kinch, better known as the Kinch Brothers, operated a successful photo studio in Walton and Hancock for over 40 years. They were both well-respected members of the Delaware County community.
Harvey Kinch was born on November 29, 1868 to Nathan and Martha (Rush) Kinch. Nathan was “one of the best known residents of Walton... [he]...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Woodchuck Lodge (Home of John Burroughs)
March 07, 2020
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Born and raised in Roxbury, John Burroughs (1837-1921) would grow from his humble roots to become a famous author and naturalist. He authored 27 books that sold over 1 ½ million copies as well as numerous magazine essays. Burroughs’ most popular writings became generally known as the nature essay. The nature essay relied on Burroughs’ astute observ...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Henry Sleight House
February 29, 2020
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The Henry Sleight House in the historic Stockade District of Kingston was built in the late 17th century and is considered to be a fine example of Dutch and English Colonial architectural style. The first known owner of the house was Anthony Crispell. The house is named for former Kingston resident, local merchant and Village President Hendricus (H...
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Bob Wyer: The Delhi Lensman
February 22, 2020
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Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesse...
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Catskills, Then and Now: Alligator Rock
February 18, 2020
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During the last ice age of 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, receding glaciers left behind many gigantic “erratics” throughout the Catskills. Erratics can be defined as “a piece of rock that differs from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests.” Many examples of these rocks and boulders as well as other interesting rock formations...
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