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The Catskills: Its History and How It Changed America
The Catskills (“Cat Creek” in Dutch), America’s original frontier, northwest of New York City, with its seven hundred thousand acres of forest land preserve and its five counties—Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Ulster, Schoharie; America’s first great vacationland; the subject of the nineteenth-century Hudson River School paintings that captured the almost godlike majesty of the mountains and landscapes, the skies, waterfalls, pastures, cliffs . . . refuge and home to poets and gangsters, tycoons and politicians, preachers and outlaws, musicians and spiritualists, outcasts and rebels . . .
Stephen Silverman and Raphael Silver tell of the turning points that made the Catskills so vital to the development of Henry Hudson’s first spotting the distant blue mountains in 1609; the New York State constitutional convention, resulting in New York’s own Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and its own constitution, causing the ire of the invading British army . . . the Catskills as a popular attraction in the 1800s, with the construction of the Catskill Mountain House and its rugged imitators that offered WASP guests “one-hundred percent restricted” accommodations (“Hebrews will knock vainly for admission”), a policy that remained until the Catskills became the curative for tubercular patients, sending real-estate prices plummeting and the WASP enclave on to richer pastures . . .
Here are the gangsters (Jack “Legs” Diamond and Dutch Schultz, among them) who sought refuge in the Catskill Mountains, and the resorts that after World War II catered to upwardly mobile Jewish families, giving rise to hundreds of hotels inspired by Grossinger’s, the original “Disneyland with knishes”—the Concord, Brown’s Hotel, Kutsher’s Hotel, and others—in what became known as the Borscht Belt and Sour Cream Alps, with their headliners from movies and radio (Phil Silvers, Eddie Cantor, Milton Berle, et al.), and others who learned their trade there, among them Moss Hart (who got his start organizing summer theatricals), Sid Caesar, Lenny Bruce, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, and Joan Rivers.
Here is a nineteenth-century America turning away from England for its literary and artistic inspiration, finding it instead in Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” and his childhood recollections (set in the Catskills) . . . in James Fenimore Cooper’s adventure-romances, which provided a pastoral history, describing the shift from a colonial to a nationalist mentality . . . and in the canvases of Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Frederick Church, and others that caught the grandeur of the wilderness and that gave texture, color, and form to Irving’s and Cooper’s imaginings.
Here are the entrepreneurs and financiers who saw the Catskills as a way to strike it rich, plundering the resources that had been likened to “creation,” the Catskills’ tanneries that supplied the boots and saddles for Union troops in the Civil War . . . and the bluestone quarries whose excavated rock became the curbs and streets of the fast-growing Eastern Seaboard.
Here are the Catskills brought fully to life in all of their intensity, beauty, vastness, and lunacy.
Stephen Silverman and Raphael Silver tell of the turning points that made the Catskills so vital to the development of Henry Hudson’s first spotting the distant blue mountains in 1609; the New York State constitutional convention, resulting in New York’s own Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and its own constitution, causing the ire of the invading British army . . . the Catskills as a popular attraction in the 1800s, with the construction of the Catskill Mountain House and its rugged imitators that offered WASP guests “one-hundred percent restricted” accommodations (“Hebrews will knock vainly for admission”), a policy that remained until the Catskills became the curative for tubercular patients, sending real-estate prices plummeting and the WASP enclave on to richer pastures . . .
Here are the gangsters (Jack “Legs” Diamond and Dutch Schultz, among them) who sought refuge in the Catskill Mountains, and the resorts that after World War II catered to upwardly mobile Jewish families, giving rise to hundreds of hotels inspired by Grossinger’s, the original “Disneyland with knishes”—the Concord, Brown’s Hotel, Kutsher’s Hotel, and others—in what became known as the Borscht Belt and Sour Cream Alps, with their headliners from movies and radio (Phil Silvers, Eddie Cantor, Milton Berle, et al.), and others who learned their trade there, among them Moss Hart (who got his start organizing summer theatricals), Sid Caesar, Lenny Bruce, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, and Joan Rivers.
Here is a nineteenth-century America turning away from England for its literary and artistic inspiration, finding it instead in Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” and his childhood recollections (set in the Catskills) . . . in James Fenimore Cooper’s adventure-romances, which provided a pastoral history, describing the shift from a colonial to a nationalist mentality . . . and in the canvases of Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Frederick Church, and others that caught the grandeur of the wilderness and that gave texture, color, and form to Irving’s and Cooper’s imaginings.
Here are the entrepreneurs and financiers who saw the Catskills as a way to strike it rich, plundering the resources that had been likened to “creation,” the Catskills’ tanneries that supplied the boots and saddles for Union troops in the Civil War . . . and the bluestone quarries whose excavated rock became the curbs and streets of the fast-growing Eastern Seaboard.
Here are the Catskills brought fully to life in all of their intensity, beauty, vastness, and lunacy.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2015
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246 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 6, 2016
Summer Bingo-Non-fiction about your hometown or state. What a disappointment! The author made a few major errors and if I had known about them I would never have bought this book. First, on page 168 the author writes about John Burroughs moving to a farm in "Middletown on the Hudson", Middletown is about 30 miles west of the Hudson-I should know-it is my hometown! On page 353 the author writes about the "Woodstock Typewriter Company" and some other industries on streets that don't exist in Woodstock, NY because he confused Woodstock, IL with Woodstock, NY! The rest of the book was lacking in depth and gave only a superficial view of the area. I wonder if the author ever visited the area? Whether he visited or not, his research was sloppy. I'm sad because I love the Catskills and have such wonderful memories of growing up in that beautiful region. The two stars I'm giving are out of my love for the area, not this book.
February 17, 2020
Terrific. Informative. Delightful. Well-written with lots of great photos and sidebars, The Catskills tells a great American story. From the first visitors (and natives), through the Hudson River School, the birth and demise of the grand hotels, Woodstock and the fracking ban, Silverman and Silver capture the beauty of the place, celebrating its character and characters. Our little piece of this paradise (Andes) has two moments, but so do many of the towns and spots we've enjoyed (or need to get to) over the decades.
May 23, 2018
I have partaken in several cycling adventures in and around the 700,000-acre preserve of the Catskills Park. Within those rides, I covered scores of miles over many hours. In all that time I tried to shrink the description of the park down into just a few sentences. This book proves it is impossible to capture the acreage in a few paragraphs. Just when it seems the Catskills has it all figured out, time moves on. Yet many do not realize just how much of an impact this overlooked area has on the United States and its history.
I am lucky enough to live close to the Catskills to access it in a long day. The fact that they are worth a several hours' commute demonstrates the pull these mountains and hollows have on people. Whether its a waterfall uniquely tucked in the shale or its a swimming hole known only to city folks, the Catskills defy description. Moving away from these attractions and one can find hidden biker bars, million-dollar log cabins, farms, and Jewish communities. I have never been anywhere else with so much change from one town to the next. Sometimes the change is in one town - from one street to the next. These descriptions now make sense after reading The Catskills: Its History and How It Changed America. Authors Silverman and Silver bring the history of this unique region to life in a brick of a book.
The Catskills have been known for many traits throughout history, according to the authors. There's the history of leather tanning and lumber that threatened the natural beauty of the area. Some say those industries were successful in their threats. The Catskills' Calico Indians organized to defend their beliefs against authority. And mega-hotels trying to outdo each other potentially led to the word 'vacation', originally used to describe a person vacating New York City. As I've ridden my bike around the Catskills, I have seen the skeletons of large buildings, no doubt remnants of the great hotel races. It all makes sense after reading this book.
The Catskills past has certainly etched itself into American history. The area has given the country famous natural authors and great painters. The Catskills claim Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper as theirs. I am still trying to verify that Irving had not visited the Catskills prior to writing Rip Van Winkle (a claim that is plausible considering he spent a large amount of time living in Europe). Claiming Cooper as a prodigal son is not impressive, either, but I digress. Much of the book is an ode to Grossinger's, a hotel that set the standard for today's hotelier services. Of course what would a book about the Catskills be without mentioning the town of Woodstock, NY, where performers like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix lived as well as played at the music festival? As far as the Catskills go, it's hard to find another place in the United States with such impressive history as these mountains. The authors explain just how well the Catskills did their job.
The struggle the Catskills has always felt is its attempt to assimilate with the rest of the world. The book's final chapters talk about casino attempts to revitalize the area. Perhaps that is where the mountains have it all wrong. After decades of trying to keep up, perhaps it is time for the Catskills to realize it is a place all its own. The people will eventually come, hopefully to unplug and reconnect. Though it's easy for me to say from the comfort of my home, I do find myself constantly pulling for the Catskills to make it comfortably in today's world.
Some areas where I found the book wavered on four stars include repetition and low-quality photos. It felt at times the two authors did not communicate with each other as I read the same description in two (or more) different places. And while there were some great visuals, others looked to be low quality reproductions and would probably have been better served in a smaller size or removed altogether. These were hardly worth docking a rating because the content was so enjoyable.
This book is great no matter where one lives. It is a testatment to the effects of an area and how great minds, either coming together or competing against one another, can propel a location onto the main stage. For those living within the region this is a great reference to the ever changing climate within the 700,000 acres. I look forward to my next bike ride in the area, specifically Prattsville. I will be able to look at the cliffs say with confidence, "I read about those paintings in the Catskils book." Isn't that what books are meant for?
I am lucky enough to live close to the Catskills to access it in a long day. The fact that they are worth a several hours' commute demonstrates the pull these mountains and hollows have on people. Whether its a waterfall uniquely tucked in the shale or its a swimming hole known only to city folks, the Catskills defy description. Moving away from these attractions and one can find hidden biker bars, million-dollar log cabins, farms, and Jewish communities. I have never been anywhere else with so much change from one town to the next. Sometimes the change is in one town - from one street to the next. These descriptions now make sense after reading The Catskills: Its History and How It Changed America. Authors Silverman and Silver bring the history of this unique region to life in a brick of a book.
The Catskills have been known for many traits throughout history, according to the authors. There's the history of leather tanning and lumber that threatened the natural beauty of the area. Some say those industries were successful in their threats. The Catskills' Calico Indians organized to defend their beliefs against authority. And mega-hotels trying to outdo each other potentially led to the word 'vacation', originally used to describe a person vacating New York City. As I've ridden my bike around the Catskills, I have seen the skeletons of large buildings, no doubt remnants of the great hotel races. It all makes sense after reading this book.
The Catskills past has certainly etched itself into American history. The area has given the country famous natural authors and great painters. The Catskills claim Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper as theirs. I am still trying to verify that Irving had not visited the Catskills prior to writing Rip Van Winkle (a claim that is plausible considering he spent a large amount of time living in Europe). Claiming Cooper as a prodigal son is not impressive, either, but I digress. Much of the book is an ode to Grossinger's, a hotel that set the standard for today's hotelier services. Of course what would a book about the Catskills be without mentioning the town of Woodstock, NY, where performers like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix lived as well as played at the music festival? As far as the Catskills go, it's hard to find another place in the United States with such impressive history as these mountains. The authors explain just how well the Catskills did their job.
The struggle the Catskills has always felt is its attempt to assimilate with the rest of the world. The book's final chapters talk about casino attempts to revitalize the area. Perhaps that is where the mountains have it all wrong. After decades of trying to keep up, perhaps it is time for the Catskills to realize it is a place all its own. The people will eventually come, hopefully to unplug and reconnect. Though it's easy for me to say from the comfort of my home, I do find myself constantly pulling for the Catskills to make it comfortably in today's world.
Some areas where I found the book wavered on four stars include repetition and low-quality photos. It felt at times the two authors did not communicate with each other as I read the same description in two (or more) different places. And while there were some great visuals, others looked to be low quality reproductions and would probably have been better served in a smaller size or removed altogether. These were hardly worth docking a rating because the content was so enjoyable.
This book is great no matter where one lives. It is a testatment to the effects of an area and how great minds, either coming together or competing against one another, can propel a location onto the main stage. For those living within the region this is a great reference to the ever changing climate within the 700,000 acres. I look forward to my next bike ride in the area, specifically Prattsville. I will be able to look at the cliffs say with confidence, "I read about those paintings in the Catskils book." Isn't that what books are meant for?
July 29, 2020
My son bought me this book for Christmas years ago now because he and I have been hiking the Catskill high peaks for about seven years and he wanted to combine the book with a membership to one of the Catskill Mountain Foundations. I just let it sit around as a coffee table kind of book until this year when I made a vow to read books I own and move them out of the house in an effort - a very small effort - to declutter. What a great book! It really never occurred to me that there was such a thing as Catskill history. They are mountains and people go to climb them. Some people live there. It is a protected state park. What more is there to know? At 406 pages, apparently a lot!
The book delves into everything from Henry Hudson and the Native Americans to Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School of Art to the war years, bluestone quarrying, the tanneries, tenant farming, the New York City watershed, John Burroughs, Jay Gould, the railroads, the mobs, the first Christian-only resorts, Jewish farm settlements, the first kosher resorts, artist colonies, the Borscht Belt, the demise of all of the resorts, Woodstock, fracking, and the harbingers of change that are bringing life and tourism back to this beautiful region. The book is full of pictures and detailed asides that you can read or skip over - I read every word - and though it took me some time, it is a relatively easy read and I always looked forward to spending time with it. I learned a lot! (I say relatively easy because the author, bless his soul, tries to pack so much into this book that some of his sentences - many of his sentences - contain so many facts, related and unrelated, that I had to read them again and again to figure out what was relevant to that particular sentence!)
We recently had a four day family vacation up near Hunter Mountain and my grown kids were amazed at the facts I was throwing at them about the area, the flora and fauna, the creeks and rivers, the formation of what is now the protected park land, and some of the more ribald stories I had read. The only downside to having read the book is that it will not be leaving my house. It will remain prominently displayed on the coffee table and will be referred to often!
The book delves into everything from Henry Hudson and the Native Americans to Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School of Art to the war years, bluestone quarrying, the tanneries, tenant farming, the New York City watershed, John Burroughs, Jay Gould, the railroads, the mobs, the first Christian-only resorts, Jewish farm settlements, the first kosher resorts, artist colonies, the Borscht Belt, the demise of all of the resorts, Woodstock, fracking, and the harbingers of change that are bringing life and tourism back to this beautiful region. The book is full of pictures and detailed asides that you can read or skip over - I read every word - and though it took me some time, it is a relatively easy read and I always looked forward to spending time with it. I learned a lot! (I say relatively easy because the author, bless his soul, tries to pack so much into this book that some of his sentences - many of his sentences - contain so many facts, related and unrelated, that I had to read them again and again to figure out what was relevant to that particular sentence!)
We recently had a four day family vacation up near Hunter Mountain and my grown kids were amazed at the facts I was throwing at them about the area, the flora and fauna, the creeks and rivers, the formation of what is now the protected park land, and some of the more ribald stories I had read. The only downside to having read the book is that it will not be leaving my house. It will remain prominently displayed on the coffee table and will be referred to often!
Read
April 18, 2021I knew almost nothing about the Catskills when I began this book, not even exactly where they start and end. (And indeed always found myself thinking of the "Wishbone" episode where Wishbone says scornfully: "Catskills! Cats don't have any skills!")
Despite growing up nearby in western New England, for whatever reason, cultural or historical, west of the Hudson remained foreign ground to me as a child. Subsequently living in New York and fulfilling the New York stereotype of being genially ignorant of "Upstate." So this book, while not perfect by any means, was extremely interesting and valuable.
It ranges broadly in time and subject, touching on subjects as varied as Washington Irving, Prohibition-era Jewish gangsters, and Woodstock. Particularly surprising, though it should not have been surprising, was realizing the many links between New York City and the Catskills. Not just the water supply, but so much more.
Despite growing up nearby in western New England, for whatever reason, cultural or historical, west of the Hudson remained foreign ground to me as a child. Subsequently living in New York and fulfilling the New York stereotype of being genially ignorant of "Upstate." So this book, while not perfect by any means, was extremely interesting and valuable.
It ranges broadly in time and subject, touching on subjects as varied as Washington Irving, Prohibition-era Jewish gangsters, and Woodstock. Particularly surprising, though it should not have been surprising, was realizing the many links between New York City and the Catskills. Not just the water supply, but so much more.
March 16, 2020
Got to about page 100 when my reading was interrupted by shoulder surgery and I never got back to the book.
I was primarily interested in the borscht belt period and didn’t learn much new. I wanted to know who started his career in the borscht belt, what it taught him, what happened next.
And I wanted to know what’s happening now in the Catskills. Word is that Hasidic orthodox dominate the region and that there is much enmity between the orthodox and the long time residents. What is the story?
I was primarily interested in the borscht belt period and didn’t learn much new. I wanted to know who started his career in the borscht belt, what it taught him, what happened next.
And I wanted to know what’s happening now in the Catskills. Word is that Hasidic orthodox dominate the region and that there is much enmity between the orthodox and the long time residents. What is the story?
October 19, 2025
I checked this book out of the library, hoping to learn more about the Borscht Belt. I learned a couple of minor details, but most of it was rehashed from other sources that I have read previously. Still, it was an interesting read.
July 31, 2018
Reflective
September 6, 2021
This era has passed, but the Author presents a great history and well-written book. If you knew someone that vacationed in the Catskills, you may want to look back. Enjoy!
May 16, 2024
Link to my review of this book:
https://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2024/...
https://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2024/...
December 20, 2018
A wonderful book about a subject I've been fascinated with, nicely packaged with glossy pages and lots of pictures. It makes me fear the day when ebooks take coffee table sized books from us forever, God forbid. (It's only a matter of time before we're living like The Jetsons.) From the time we went to the Catskill Game farm when I was a kid in the late 60s, this region has held me spellbound. It's boom and bust feel (more bust these days sadly) has kind of an Atlantic City feel to it, and in the case of each of these two endlessly interesting places (read the book Boardwalk Empire for a cool look at Atlantic City history [the HBO series of the same name does not belong in the same conversation]), no matter how hard they fall, they both have a magnificent natural treasure that completely redeems them and will always bring them upright again - the beautiful woods and mountains embracing the one and the mighty Atlantic Ocean lapping against the other.
Outside of a terribly one-sided discussion of fracking, this book is just about perfect. (I should note here that though I'm a guy, I've always liked the movie Dirty Dancing - not for the appalling dancing aspect, but for the atmosphere it portrayed, the whole Catskill scene, which for some reason all too quickly became not good enough for people; I don't understand that and I find it regrettable and sad.)
Outside of a terribly one-sided discussion of fracking, this book is just about perfect. (I should note here that though I'm a guy, I've always liked the movie Dirty Dancing - not for the appalling dancing aspect, but for the atmosphere it portrayed, the whole Catskill scene, which for some reason all too quickly became not good enough for people; I don't understand that and I find it regrettable and sad.)
April 19, 2016
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. Originally from just south of the Catskills, my parents were both from Sullivan County, the heart of the Jewish Alps. The last half of the book, except for the final section about fracking which could/should have been left out, details the rise and decline of the summer hotel and bungalow industry. I remember hearing about and driving past many of the locations mentioned: Grossingers, The Flagler, The Concord, The Nevele, etc., etc., not to forget scores of bungalow colonies. So many famous people of the entertainment industry found work here: Sid Caesar, Eddie Fisher, Mel Brooks, Jerry Lewis, Henny Youngman, Barbra Streisand, Alan King, Buddy Hackett, Billy Crystal, Phil Silvers, and Jerry Seinfeld. Even earned that Wilt Chamberlin was a bellhop at Kutshers.
The period of gangsters (e.g., Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz, and others) is not left out. Nor is the Woodstock phenomenon.
The first half of the book is an excellent accounting of the early Catskill history including discussions of the The Hudson River School of painters and writers.
Highly recommended for anyone who remembers the area or who wishes to learn about it.
The period of gangsters (e.g., Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz, and others) is not left out. Nor is the Woodstock phenomenon.
The first half of the book is an excellent accounting of the early Catskill history including discussions of the The Hudson River School of painters and writers.
Highly recommended for anyone who remembers the area or who wishes to learn about it.
June 18, 2017
This was a pretty comprehensive look at a really neat region of New York. I particularly enjoyed appearances of places and people I know (and/or covered), sister newspapers, competitor publications and even a former co-worker's appearance in the citations.
The first half of the book moved more quickly for me and held my imagination better than the second half (perhaps because I've been more interested in older history than in more modern history).
I read a criticism over on Amazon (http://ow.ly/4n1tDz) that calls into question the veracity of one specific part of the book that I fear may be (at least in part) correct, and that has made me question whether other anomalies may exist.
However, overall, this was a nice read and even though I know the region and its history somewhat well, this book filled in a lot of historical and contextual blanks.
The first half of the book moved more quickly for me and held my imagination better than the second half (perhaps because I've been more interested in older history than in more modern history).
I read a criticism over on Amazon (http://ow.ly/4n1tDz) that calls into question the veracity of one specific part of the book that I fear may be (at least in part) correct, and that has made me question whether other anomalies may exist.
However, overall, this was a nice read and even though I know the region and its history somewhat well, this book filled in a lot of historical and contextual blanks.
January 2, 2016
Well written, well researched, great photos, my only disappointment is that the last part which focuses on the more recent history of the southern Catskills and little about the northern Catskills , particularly the ski industry.
February 22, 2016
Good stuff. Especially enjoyed the chapters from the Borscht Belt era and beyond. Took note that before the Holland Tunnel opened & the GWB was built, it took 11 hours to travel by car to the Catskills along Route 17 from NYC!
January 6, 2016
Fascinating and comprehensive. The Catskills, brought to life throughout their history.
February 1, 2016
I thought it was a great high-level overview of the Catskills. The best part of the book for me was to learn more about Clayton Peg Leg Bates.
February 27, 2016
This was an excellent read. Very well laid out touching on many topics of interest. From the Hudson River artists to the hotels of the Borscht Belt there is something of interest for everyone.
September 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this, lots of fun history for a place I have never been, but always wanted to go to.
April 14, 2016
interesting history--Dutch Explorers to beyond Woodstock nation
Read
June 28, 2016Review by Maron L. Waxman for the Jewish Book Council.
June 9, 2018
when I was a child my grandparents owned a summer place in Sullivan County, so on summer weekends we would meet them in "The Mountaind" or "The Catskills " and then sit around a lot looking across the valley at other mountains. This is the first book I have come across that explains why my family went there, why we never did anything there, and what this area of the country went through historically from Henry Hudson's initial visit to modern times. I found this book fascinating, but suspect most readers would not find this book enthralling.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews