New-York tribune., 1883-06-18
AMONG THE CATSKILLS.
A BRILLIANT SEASON CLOSE AT HAND.

KINGSTON, June lO.-lJ l5 blAIJ yOais pAnNS '-S
first summer hotel was built in the Catskll Meun-
tans, and it Is tho Catskil Mountain Hotel az zinc
Orchard which Is just beginning its sixteth season.
Mr. c. L. Beach, the venerable pioneer in the sum-
mer boarding business in this region, assures me
that it is fortyseven years since he TOOK charge OF
the enterprise with which he has been connected
ever since And then, according to his account,
the Pine Orchard property came into his possession
accidentally But summer hotels in the Catskllls
are not started in that way any more Mr beaon
did not expect to make money up On that rugged
crag, he says but that has been the aim ana oDJect
of his SUCCESSORS throughout the region and IL Is
safe to BAY that for the past ten or fifteen years at
least most Of these mountain hotels have paid well.
Very little was known of these beautiful mountains
fifty or even twenty-five years ago. Cooper had
Immortalized them in story. Rip Van Wlnkle had
slept among them for twenty years, and Thomas
Cole had transferred some hints OF their beauty TO
canvas; but the people at large, even here In New
YORK State scarcely knew Of the region except as
wild mountainous retreat unfit for cultivation,
almost inaccessible save to hunters bark-peeers
and quarrymeu. And as q matter Of fact most Of
the region remained practically inaccessible to sum
mer visitors until the construction of the Ulster and
Delaware Railway in 1868. The long stage rides
from the river and the length OF time required were
almost prohlbltory and ii is believed that even so
late as 1870 not over 900 people visited the noun
tains In the whole season. AS an evidence OF What
has been done for the Catskills during ttose thr-
teen years by the advent OF magic paths of steel
and individual enterprise, may state that last sea-
son not far from 100000 people visited the region
and that there arc about 900 hotels and boarding
houses open to the public. To say that S2,OOO,OOO
was left in the hands of Catskill landlords and
other caterers TO summer visitors last season. would
l think, be quite within bounds.
Another season IS just beginning foT oil the
hotels opened on the first of the month, and every
door in the Catsklls will be open before it ends.
The season will DO most successful one, II the
weather lavors, for the weather holds the key to
the situation at I'll summer resorts, and here espe-
cially. Advance engagements were never more
numerous. and the facilities for entertainment are
greater than syer Oeiore 1t is thought that oOOOO
visitors can now be housed aud led at once among
these mountains.
HOW TO GET THERE.
The means Of access are now ample. pleasant anc
oxpeditious. Tho weak and the sick need no
Ion rer stay away or dread the journey. Abont five
hours bv rail from New York bring one TO the lead
ing hotel doors in the southern portions of the range.
and an additional hour through the charms OF
e,ouv Glove by steam places visitors at almost any
OF the prominent houses In the Greene County soc
ton This is by the Kingston route. By way OF
Catskill little moro tiro will be required and q
little mountain climbing in stage is still neces-
sary. The completion of the Stony Glove Railway
last year, and the recent construction OF the new
Kaaterskill Railway, now about Completed secure
continuous rail line from Kingston to tho largo
hotels in the famous Hunter, Tannersyllle and
Kanterskil region. Visitors this year TO the Hotel
KnaterskilL Laurel House, Catsklll Noun
tain Hodse, and other largo hotels will have no
staging TO endure and not even the aust
q sI..N nrfrHN
vile Junction which was so unpleasant last season
Those pTeferrng to come up the river Dy boat VIII
need from two TO two aud nan honIs ~ more tnan
the nll-ra time II they land here, and 81 another
hour or more via Catskil. Passengers by evening
boat from New York find the ride up the valley by
.arlv morning train very pleasant.
Tbe comuleton OF the West Shore Railway will
of course mark u new era in summer traihc TO the
Catskilis. Regular trains TO tins city wlll oeRih
running on the 25th inst. Ihla VIII ot necessity DO
Tie shortest and most direct route; close con
nections will DO made here, and doubtless through
train, for the mountains without change OF cars
OF the native grandeur or romantic charms
OF the Catsk!lls there Is nothing new TO say
nor longer any need to speak. NOT even
made them less attractive. Tho art OF man
has not succeeded either in improving them
destroying their beauty although uc nus pesn ecu
done TO heghteu he comfort aud enjoyment OF VS.
itOrs-and we'll done. Money VIII now securo
almost any luxury at the leading hotels ami com
fortable soiourn costs only moderate price. IN
fact the most valuable feature OF the Catskllls To
tired humanity Is absolutely free OF cost In con
trast to Niagara. no one has attempted to ience IN
ibe scenery or the air You can stand on the rocks
and paze upon 30 900 square miles OF dlYerBlhed
landscape without paS ing n cent. or course You
will be tkbly 10 want your dinner aiterward, ana
led 70 sleep in perhaps but you always expect TO
nav for such things. / think as whole that rates
and charges for board, etc. are not eHtOrtlohate
at the best hotels, although common custom custom
has caused somo complaint IN the past. Ihoy
charge 20 30 cents TO thelr guests Tor rde Oh
fow rods to the hotel.
THE LEADING HOTELS.
uotel Kaat.rskI Is still the largest and finest In
tho range. II has q capacity of q thousand guests
and diuinp.room where all may be seated at once.
Fv,rvthinc is managed on an immense scale.
daily paper will DO printed during the season
semi. weekly hop large orchestra nightly. fire.
works every Saturday evening. and other attrac-
tlons are announced. All new comers arc surprised
at tho magnitude of this enterprise which every
body predicted could only result In failure. But
the season here last year was certainly most brill
liant and successful, the immense structure being
oyertaxcd at times A fine road TO tho new railway
depot at South Lake has been made and the entlro
mountain IL laid ont ike PARK. Captain Gillett
is again the manager and VIII open the mousse OH
Juue 26.
Tho Grand Hotel, on Summit Mountain, Southern
Catskls Is the next largest. 1t opens on tho goth
under the management of w. I. Paige. the popular
ntevard of last yoar. Nearly all the rooms have
already been taken and a repetition of last seasons
rush is promised. White servant girls will now he
employed instead OF the former colored force.
Among the prominent persons who have engaged
rooms here are the Rev. DR.. llerrIck johnson ana
wife Chicago: Consul General Ratio ana wlle;
italy: s. g. De Coursey aud family, l.. Eptlng ana
family, Philadelphia; Lewis stern, }. D. Williams
and family J. Y. Parrish aud family, Charles
brooks ami family George G.. Moore and family; y
G Thompson and family Newly H. 5. Laden
and family, Brooklyni w. II Murphy. Ne""TTki
Charles +. Storms and family Baltlmoloi Dr'
Anderson and family, Dover Del.
The old Catstlll Mountain House IL already open
ander ITS well known manasemeht noat pi ho
snocioI cbnnge elther IN the house or its conduct.