The Ghost Hotels of the Catskills

The Daily Beast ^ | August 25, 2014 | Brandon Presser

[C19fan]

Phones on desks, linens on beds, catalog cards spilling out of the filing cabinets—all covered with a fine patina of dust. Neglected for years, and abandoned in seconds, it’s like a modern-day Pompeii in which the earth suddenly reclaimed its souls as they went about their daily business.

But this isn’t fodder for the next Dean Koontz thriller; it’s real, and its 100 miles north of New York City. Sullivan County once boasted 538 hotels and over 50,000 bungalows, but today practically nothing remains of this illustrious, vacationing era, save crumbling towers and abandoned estates.

Walking through the haunting wreckage—thirsty swimming pools filled with garbage, and rows of hotel towers tagged by vandals—it’s almost impossible to believe that area was one of the most important vacation destinations in America for well over a century.

[onona]

Good Bear Hunting in Sullivan County now.

[Leo Carpathian]

There is MountainView Manor - restored jewel in Glen Spey, NY. Historical Ardmore Mansion, with Manor focusing on destination weddings.
Excellent service and chef in picturesque setting off Delaware river that wedding factories in NYC can’t match.
FReepers will take good care of you!
www.MVmanor.com

[BigIsleGal]

One of my all time favorite movies. RIP Patrick Swayze.

[Vendome]

[Gay State Conservative]

Why go to the Catskills/Atlantic City when you can afford to go to say Florida, Yellowstone or overseas?

Or have a Bar Mitzvah safari for that matter.I remember a comedian (can't recall who...probably Jewish) doing a hilarious skit about a Bar Mitzvah safari.Does that ring a bell with anyone else?

[autumnraine]

I THOUGHT it was set in the Catskills.

[ken5050]

You wold have crowds of 30,000 at Monticello Raceway on a Saturday night..

[ken5050]

How could anyone write an article about the Catskills and not refer to it by the term every one used..”The Borscht Belt..”

[sakic]

When other destinations became cheaper than the Catskills, there was more competition.

There was also a generational aspect to it. The Catskills was truly something that worked for people who would primarily be in their 90’s now.

I spent 10 summers there in the sixties and seventies.

[jttpwalsh]

Those were the days at Monticello! And of course, you are right about the Borscht Belt, too !

[Postman]

Probably many other factors in play, but for me this was a major one. It was really hard to justify going to the Catskills for a week in the late sixties and seventies, when I could get to experience England and/or France and/or Austria and/or Italy and/or Spain for three weeks to a month for a bit more money.

[Wolfie]

The sliver of Sullivan Country that the newspapers dubbed the “Borscht Belt” was a haven for Jewish immigrants who were turned away from other holiday destinations.

[dmz]

My theory is that Woodstock had a lot to do with the destruction of the Catskills.

<><><<

What evidence do you use to support that theory? Just interested, not calling you out.

[IrishBrigade]

My theory is that Woodstock had a lot to do with the destruction of the Catskills.

<><><<

What evidence do you use to support that theory? Just interested, not calling you out.

...I believe he was simply being flippant...

[Dr. Sivana]

I respect your viewpoint, but in my day, living in Connecticut (60’s + 70’s), the Catskills were referred to as “The Jewish Alps”, by both Jews, and Gentiles, alike ;)

I grew up in CT around the same time, and knew plenty of Jewish kids in the local public elementary school and later in prep school. The only reference I recall to the Catskills one way or the other was to the Catskill Game Farm.

The prep school kids went vacationing regularly, but VT for skiing and FL for sun were the only places referenced.

[RegulatorCountry]

Never been there and so I can’t say if this is practical, but 50,000 bungalows within 100 miles of NYC? Is there a reasonably decent train running or can there be? It’s ripe for commuter residential, imho.

[Oratam]

Millions of dollars are transforming Route 17 into I-86. Travel time will be reduced. I would imagine when the new Tappan Zee is opened the area will more than ‘pop.’

[ErnBatavia]

the Catskills were referred to as “The Jewish Alps”

I recall the term "Hebrew Heights"...

[jttpwalsh]

Forgot about the Game Farm - thanks for jogging my memory !

Lived in Danbury from ‘64 - ‘81, what a great time and place.

Thanks !

[jttpwalsh]

Wow ! Never heard “Hebrew Heights”, but it makes total sense :)

Thanks !