Catskill Mountain Bluestone

by Alf Evers, Robert Titus, Tim Weidner

The quarrying of Catskill Mountain bluestone (a number of different types of sandstone of varying colors) once supplied sidewalk paving and architectural stone in great quantities for cities in the East. The advent of concrete brought this huge industry to a virtual standstill. Today there has been a revival of interest in architectural bluestone, and it is once again a multi-million-dollar industry in the Catskills. This booklet is co-published with the New York Folklore Society.

Genres: History, New York

47 pages, Pamphlet

First published March 30, 1984

Reviews

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge volume focused on the history of the Catskill Mountains and nearby New York, this book also reveals a microcosm of American class interactions -- and struggles -- from the 18th through the 20th Century. The early chapters provide a detailed study of the near-feudal allocation of land in colonial and just-post-colonial times as the Catskills are fought over by a handful of wealthy landowners. I found this part of the book a little slow, but the struggle is worthwhile because it lays the groundwork for what comes later -- the Rent War and the slow homogenizing of culture and wealth in the 19th Century. The Catskills are also notable as the site of what was probably America's first road-trip destination and the story of their development is enthralling, from the Romantic notion of nature as inspiration, economic resource exploitation, through the age of the grand hotel, the growth of Woodstock as an art colony, the disturbing wave of Antisemitism in the 1870s to discourage Jewish visitors, and the ultimate Semitic "conquest" of the part of the Catskills that created the Borscht Belt.

I also really enjoyed the chapters about "legend piracy" -- the transfer of local stories to multiple locales, most notably Irving's Rip Van Winkle. My favorite chapters -- no surprise -- are on early witch lore and the stories of witch doctors who fought black magic; I would love to read more about them. Written in 1972, the book's final chapters are about the 1969 Woodstock music festival, which the author sees as a positive omen for the preservation of the land. All-in-all a thorough, richly detailed account of a fascinating corner of America.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a couple of start-overs and I found myself trudging through some of the pages, however the respect and diligence Mr. Evers has given The Catskills is praiseworthy. The “Notes and Bibliography” section alone speak to the painstaking research given towards writing this passion project turned book. The Catskills have always held a special place in my heart and Mr. Evers work has given me even more reason to love the land I often find myself getting lost in (sometimes literally, often time figuratively) amongst its wild.

While I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read, because it’s 700+ pages are anything but light, Mr. Evers wastes not a single word on unnecessary fluff. Every word is clearly well thought out and serves no other purpose than to pay homage to the wilderness known as the Catskills and the men and women who have played pivotal roles in its history.

Bravo!

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things to remember
Bartram and the balm of gilead balsalm firs
The Hardenbergh Patent
Whigs were landowners so tenants went Tory for awhile
Washington Irving met Walter Scott who told him to read the German Romantics - a german folk tale was seed for Rip Van Winkle
tanning, big hotels, rent war, calico indians, bluestone, railroads, sanatoriums, art colonies, automobiles, borscht belt, woodstock

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific. Well-written, full of facts and fancy about a fabulous NY neck of the woods, mountains, lakes and streams. Evers' short chapters, superb research and clear love for the area add up to an informative, engaging read. He broke off in 1972 (hence a skosh of overemphasis on Woodstock the town and festival), adding a brief postscript in '83. So the "modern" 'skills aren't represented here. But he lays out the region's timeless beauty, promise and challenges expertly.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treatise and a love letter. Filled with grand history and exciting vignettes. Some parts may be slow or uninteresting to some, but the scope of the book means you can pick and choose what jumps out to you. A book every local should read and cherish.

[Ira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-researched and quite well rendered account of the history of the Catskill region of NYS from colonial times through the turn of the twentieth century. With the exception of a reasonable treatment of the Borscht Belt in the mid twentieth century, the last seventy years are given less thorough treatment than the earlier periods, but that seems okay: current readers either recall or can readily access 20th century material.

A surprisingly useful find, for me.

[Thomas Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must if you are interested in the Catskills. Each chapter could be a book of its own.

[David Vanness]

My copy 1972 edition with 821 pages same cover.