New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-29
AMONG IRE CATSKILLS.
ROUTES, HOTELS AND NOTES OF THE
SEASON

rrRoN An occ ASTON AL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
KINGSTON. n. Y, June PIT Is now over
two hundred years the lands OF CatsG were pu
chased from the Indians. On July :, 1GIS company vi
Dutch and English gentlemen Mt the stadt huis III
Albany met sahak- Nemnan, the Indian chef ana six
leading representatives tribe for the purpose OF
eGectng purchase OF this region The title with lts
curious nierOglyphics passed, and the aboriginal
overs OF the Ontovas" It is said, soon after dlsap-
peared from the locality altogether. Concerning TINS
newly acquired territory for century afterwara the
incomplete that suspects the chronicers
were in prophetic league with the author of Rip Van
Wrinkle"
1t Is however in the light of great popular mountain
resort that the Catskils have claimed attention
for years past 1t i'll 1923 that the first summer
hotel was built in the Catsdl Mountains. small ana
rude affair It was Mr.. C. L. Beach, the venerable hotel
pioneer OF the mountains says this is his forty-eghth
at the Catskil Mountain House at Pine orchard
whore the original building stood. Coming into lis pos
by accident he at first sought only to entertain
his friends who might chance visit him. his large bust
ness connections having secured wide circle OF ac-
quaintance this other lands But the transcend
natural beauty and grandeur of the place attracted
visitors far beyond his facilities for entertainment ana
he forced to enlarge his buildings from time 70 ne
1t Is believed that now in few days there VIII be over
one thousand hotels and boarding houses open 20 the
public in and about these mountains. Last season the
number of visitors to region estimated at some
thing 200 900 An average expenditure OF $40 each
will certainly very moderate estimate TO those
who have made any careful observation OF the matter
And yet II would leave the handsome total OF over
So 600 900 in the ts Catsk and other sum
mer caterers there Yet even late 1870 not over
1000 people visitedEthe region in "a season This rapid
increase In business and popularity due almost entirely
Improved facilities of and entertainment
The sage-coach nowsupersededby the locomotive the
time required rea,hng thesmost elevated resorts
is reduced to most enjoyable minimum and the enter
tainnent provided ample and the most varied mod
ern character.
The Catskis can now be seen and enjoyed for very
moderate sum- the figures depending only upon the tastes
and requirementsl visitor The best thing IN the
entire range is absolutely free namely the air This has
never been yet neither it be fenced out
anywhere 1t seems find lot OF cells IN the lungs
whose existence suspected and the whole sys
TEN proceeds at celebrate the discovery with
grand jubilee Another item on the free list Is the pure
sparkling spring water and another the scenery But
this enumeration embraces about all the free st ana
one pay what he eats for his room ana oed MS
passage up and down and from point to point and Tor
whatever other Incidental demands his recreatye notions
may,impose. But a rule prices are not hlgh OIeah
linen and good wholesome foodplenty OF 1t, well cooked
and in fair varety-may be had from % to 80 per
week. according locality and rooms This Is at board
nghouses not at hotels proper where the charges range
from 50 to IS per day and from 80 to S25 per week. de-
pending upon the grade Of the house. time OF the season.
size and aspect OF room and at times length OF stay
The waters and porers apt to be or the usua hungry
STYLE who can hesitate with cOnsumate grace after any
little service which their employers pay them to DO nut
"a rule the Catsks olerably free from the many
ev anuovances In the way Of extortonate fees which
one meets at every in many other summer re-
sorts.s
The routes OF access to the Cask region are numer-
ous and varied and nearly all are expeditions and pleas
ant The West Shore Railroad is the shortest quickest
and most direct connection with the Ulster and Dela
ware Railway bringing through from all the leading
cities to the doors the most prominent hotels In the
range Five hours brings the NewYorker TO the pazzas
OF the hotels the southern or Ulster portion OF the
range and an hour amid the charms OF the stony
Glove by steam places the visitor al Almost any VI e
refers to the approach by way Kingston Many go up
his way and return Catsk thus making the circuit
e com ection is not as CLOSE however and there
"a an ANNOYING transfer at the Catsk station to reach
the valley The CasskH Mountain Railroad from Cats
Kill lands at the base OF the mountain IN going UP ny
Rf the road is excellent and there beauty az along the
way and the same Is true OF the niue lsI winch
runs through romantic region ii reaching hlnS9-
on visitors nav choose between numerous day ana night
WI vr and The West Shore or Hudson River trains
From Kingston TO the mOuntasn l. short ana dclHhuu
run , ~ Tjyorons mountain innovation, and the
Esa.er.kil Rail way running right through that famous
Old Tannrrsvie section, completes the rail line To the
large hotels OF the Kaatersk region distributing visit
ors within a few rods OF their summer homes -
40 very large hotels have been built since last season
although very many have been enlarged ana uPI9'cu
and several new small ana medlun-slLcd houses nave
been added in various parts Of the range Inc hote
Kaaterskill, which arose from that via anu s-'.IIg
crag IN lss2 like gigantic mushroom sun Iv.' ,,
largest in the range Ihe house mas pee ia6 nst De
last season and will now take care Oh loVV Iurs's -
now theatre been aided and various OIheI alIcl
new features will be found W Z, lage ot- ~ . n
Hotel last year assumes the managemehI Ih1 no,
The extensive grounds anc park SURROUNDING I5 S NUS
,ameDta plants and shrubs special supply train VIII
he rn from New York daily. The railroad station Is az
south Lake short ride or walk from tne hou'e Lic
resort Onened on June q, and the engagements alre
booked are sald 70 Prohi7e Assofia5n
TiiItet here early the season d. j. Cue the artist
will again occupy his airy quarters In me so9IR loWe
Newt IN size + the Grand Hotel on summit Mountain.
CaDtan (iiettei the popular kaatersbhI manager ior
two years past has now leased t-s noU. an uIr,tv
are he will push II 10 greater popularity
than ever before ie says enough business Is AIeay
t;aiIL enlaFged and many new features introduced
Tho r,sc il to be greatly improved daily paper Is an
Ionpced and also a well furnished library Among The
cietfoHs MAT have already visited the place are
company Of hungry Jersey editors VINO ctne 9h me
23d Inst, and the Springfield Commander of AT ANS
later accompanied by the Washington Comrandery OF
Tbe old Casku Mountain opened IT. doors for
the sxty-second season on June l. 10 sFsl t Ts an
Old iandmark and the table rock IN midaf IN 'front.' com
mands one Of the finest views OF tle eT f 51d and
all rail line via Kingston terminates nee Ii q, -
the hotel stages meet the trains from Cd'sAIi' Ns "
H The Laurel House at the Kaaters Falls, Is de-
ufu place quiet A hotel mas been hept mere
e1t building Is large and OF modern design, having every
aRRlarSe IO House AT Ph9nicia seventh
my Stp adorned and improved recently, ami has
Sanacifv for 300 guests II has always been popular
relorr and the advance engagements now are slld rex
od ,r-ovtous seasons The house opened on June ID
the Overlook House on Overlook Mountain 10 t flie
highest Of all Mr. Haskell again the manager Ills
can LOOK down on all others but In order 70 90 80
they must first endure long stage riqe, Aai. Oh scn Is
ovsr stony plain The house has been open l0 some
49, and is view ia the ostlextended OF al Mead -
re psv mn This charming mountain, Is very popular
| place and IS always full. ,>-,---o a.. ,-bo,o
Al pine HILL on the Ulster ana Delaware, the "hOo
viiege Ia given up 20 summer b0arders IheIe are soy
eral Sarge hotels including the Gngon House. anu tns
new Pin Van Wrinkle House just built And an through
tbs valley the road IL lined with hotels ana OoaiI
Ssos rboh are usually well filed IN the season Ihen
il the stony Glove Hunter and from here down the
valley through the TanneIsye regio n o many
heino large and pretentous, and each having ht
OF lis own which rarely fail to secure Igl sae 81 p