THE INCREASING NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR.
THE MANY CHANGES SINCE OLD AMO BLAIKS1E'S DAYS—MAGNIFICENT HOTELS AMONG BEAUTIFUL SCENERY—WHERE VISITORS MAY GO AND HOW THEY MAY REACH THE MOUNTAINS.
IN THE CATSKILLS, July 2.—More than half
a century ago old Amo Blaiksie each Summer had
his rough story and a half stone farm-house filled
with guests but he would have resented being called
the keeper of a tavern. His visitors made known
the beauty of the Catskills, and the time soon came
when it was deemed a safe investment to erect a
small house for a score or so of guests, high up on
a front ledge. It flourished, and its first sign.
the "Pine Orchard Hotel," soon gave way to the
Catskill Mountain House, which, a few days ago,
opened upon its fifty-eighth season, with accommodations for 400 guests. Its site was wisely selected,
when ail the mountains were free for choice, its
location being 2,500 feet above tide-water, and
commanding superb views, not merely of the Cats
kills themselves, but also of all the Hudson. Valley, from the highlands to the Adirondacks.. The
river runs eight miles to the east, and the old village of Catskill is 12 miles distant. Its success
prompted the erection of the Overlook Mountain
House, within easy view of the pioneer site, though
over the line in Ulster County. It ran for a few
seasons with all else than brilliant results, when it
caught fire from a defective flue, and saved its proprietor from continued loss. In 1878 the venture
was again made, and, rebuilt, the Overlook at once
secured an excellent patronage. On an eminence
higher than any house in the Catskills - 3,000 feet
above tide-water - it commands an incomparable
view of more than 100 miles about, a charming
panorama, including seven States, and this
landscape has been extended recently by the
erection of a tower upon a peak near by.
Hotels of pretty architecture kept springing up on
romantic peaks here and there, until now commodious establishments for the special accommodation of Summer visitors are almost beyond enumeration. There are a dozen hotels, with capacity
ties for from 200 to 500 guests. Every farm-house
of any size is every Summer converted into a rustic hotel. Though frequently crowded closely,
these cozy homes are full of comfort.
By far the most costly and complete hotel in the
mountains is the Kaaterskill, projected within the
last 12 months by George Harding, of Philadelphia.
It is designed to accommodate 1,000 guests, but
will not be entirely finished this year. Not more
than 500 can yet find room within its doors. In
fact, the conception of the hotel is said to have
been quite sudden, and involves a not uninteresting story. Mr. Harding has been a regular Summer
visitor to the Catskills for years, expending his
money without stint at the hotel where he always
was a guest. Last season, upon requesting the
preparation of a special dish for a sick child, he
was met with the somewhat tart remark that his
wants being so numerous he had better build a
hotel for his personal accommodation. The millionaire quietly replied: " Ah, well, I'll think about
it." The result of his cogitations will soon be revealed in one of the finest Summer hotels in
America - the largest mountain house in the world.
Like the Pioneer Hotel of the Catskills
and distant less than a mile and a half
there from. the Hotel Kaaterskill is upon the Greene
County side of the range, elevated nearly 3,000 feet
above tide-water, and commanding a very extensive view. Its grounds embrace several points of
more than average interest in the cliffs, not least
among which is the famous Sunset Rock, to which
every evening there are excursions from all surrounding points, the sunset viewed from this eminence being the finest in the Catskills, and magnificent beyond conception. The hotel is perfect
in its appointments, lighted by gas throughout and
furnished with steam heaters, elevators, electric
bells, telegraph offices, and every convenience
known to modern art, though in these particular
it is scarcely more noteworthy than many of it's
less commodious rivals. A feature, however, that
is to a great degree peculiar to the Kaaterskill
is its immense livery stables, from which guests are
to be provided with means of conveyance when so
ever it shall be their pleasure to ride: and the
more certainly to insure the utilization ,of this
privilege, new and charming drives have been
opened toward the river and to neighboring points
the most interesting and picturesque in the mountains. Other thoroughfares which only two or
three years ago were almost impassable have been
greatly improved, and if serious imperfections yet
exist it is because they are absolutely irremediable. In addition to the Hotel Kaaterskill, the present
season has been marked by the erection of another extensive Summer hotel, and one which
compares favorably with the best. Nothing is so
desirable for a mountain house as a perfect site
and no hotel could be more fortunate in such respect than this new enterprise, a paragon of architectural beauty, standing almost at the very crest
of Summit Mountain, and having good claim
the title of the Grand Hotel of the Catskills. It is
located 2,300 feet above the tide, upon an almost
level plateau, against whose gently sloping sides
forest grows luxuriantly; and close around hill
after hill rises one above another, culminating in
Slide Mountain, the noblest of the whole range,
4,220 feet high. From the piazzas of the hotel
beautiful panoramic view bursts upon the vision
and it is not to be wondered that, with the season
scarcely opened, almost every accommodation
which it provides for 400 guests has been long engaged in advance. One of the prominent projectors of this hotel is the Hon. William. H. Homey,
the veteran Republican editor, who recently retired from journalism, after 40 successive
years of service. Below the Grand Hotel
at Pine Hill, two miles distant, and less
elevated by 700 feet, is the Guigou House, accommodating 200 guests, and seldom having
an unengaged room or a vacant seat at its tables.
Of hotels which have been some time established,
and which enjoy the approval of a large patronage,
bestowed with yearly regularity, there is a long list.
All of them this season are improved in many regards
and ail compare favorably with the best houses
of similar character elsewhere. Upon the Greene
County side of the Catskills, aside from the old
Pioneer House at Pine Orchard, the most prominent
is the Prospect Park Hotel, directly on the banks
of the Hudson, ana immediately above the Catskill
landing. For over 10 years it has been popular
and the demands of patrons have been so great as
to call for enlargements, until now it is prepared to
accommodate 400 guests. The Grant House, a mile
and a half west from the village of Catskill.also holds
high rank. It affords accommodations for 300 guests.
At the celebrated Kaaterskill Falls, nearly two
miles west of the Catskill Mountain House and
about half that distance north-west of the new
Hotel Kaaterskill, is the Laurel House. Its location gives it a surfeit of guests every season. At
Hunter, 20 miles from Catskill, the Breeze Lawn
House, Hunter House, and Hunter Mountain Prospect House will each accommodate over 100. The
O'Hara House, at Lexington, 25 miles from Catskill, has room for 125. The Stony Brook House
and the Maple Grove House, at Palenville, 10 miles
from Catskill, provide for 100 each. Aaron Roggents Mountain Home, at Tannersville, 15 miles
from Catskill, will not be overcrowded by 150,
while the Mountain Summit House, at the same
place, is scarcely less commodious. And surrounding all these larger hotels are pleasant village
homes, farm-houses, and lesser hotels, where the Summer visitor is welcome.
A great and much needed inn:movement has recently been made in the bills of fare at the mountain houses. A few years ago meals were badly cooked and clumsily served, but now better entertainment in this regard is not provided by the stewards of standard Metropolitan hotels. This year nearly all of the larger Catskill houses have secured managers with established City reputations. The cuisine may consequently be ranked
among the attractions. The food provided, more particularly in the way of fish and game, vegetables, butter, milk, and eggs, will have the merit of a freshness not always to be claimed in the City. Terms are not extortionate, and compare most favorably with the demands made at other Summer resorts. The maximum rates at the largest and best managed hotels (including room) seldom exceeds $4 per day, or $25 per week, with half prices for children and nurses. The number of houses having these rates is not large. The ruling prices at the smaller but first-class hotels does not, save in exceptional cases, exceed $2 a day and $10 a week; while at the innumerable farmhouses scattered in picturesque profusion through all the range the terms are even yet more decidedly moderate. The Ulster and Delaware Railroad (Rondout) has issued a pamphlet, for free distribution, giving the addresses or hundreds of farm-houses and good hotels where Summer board may be secured, with accommodations and rates. A similar circular has also been published by the Albany Day Boat Line.
To persons who propose spending their time in the immediate vicinity of Catskill village, or who, by way or that place, choose to take the stage lines up the hills to the Greene County mountain houses, the quickest means of travel from New York is by the Hudson River Railroad to Catskill Station, a ride of about three and a half hours. Six trains run each way daily; fare, $2.18. The trip by the day boats, the Albany and the Chauncey Vibbard, or by the night boats, the Escort and the City of Catskill, requires twice that time. The day boats leave Vestry street every morning, except Sunday, at 8:35 o'clock, taking on passengers at Twenty-second-street at 9. The fare to Catskill is $1.50. The night boats leave the foot of Harrison street at 7 o'clock in the evening. On Saturday an extra
trip is made, the Escort leaving at the regular
hour, while the City of Catskill starts on the special
trip at 1:39 P.M.The programme, new with this
season, will enable patrons to reach Catskill before
dark, and safely ensconce themselves in their
Summer resort early in the evening. The regular
time for the night boats to leave Catskill for New-York is 6 o'clock, but on Sundays an extra trip two
hours later is to be made in the interest of the
many who, by Saturday's special trip, take
occasion to spend the Sabbath in the mountains and must be in the Metropolis for business
on Monday.
In the Ulster Catskills, more recently developed,
there is a less number of large hotels than over in
Greene, but there is a far greater proportion of
smaller homes where city guests are gladly received. Excepting the patrons of the Overlook
Mountain House and one or two smaller hotels in
the trouting localities. there were, until within the
last few years, exceedingly few Summer visitors
who ventured over into Ulster. The region round about Catskill village held a monopoly, and the
people who came for recreation were jostled up
into the mountains by the great lumbering coaches;
an experience that no sane person ever was ambitious to incur twice .for mere enjoyment's sake.
But there has come a decided change. The Ulster
and Delaware Railroad has been established from
Rondout-on-the-Hudson through the very heart of
the mountains, and numberless attractions of the
Catskills, hitherto practically inaccessible, not to
say unknown, have been brought within easy
reach. The owner of this road is the
Hon. Thomas Cornell. To him, more than
to any other man or influence, is due the
sudden and substantial popularity of the mountains as a Summer resort. The result of his efforts
was seen last year, when over 50,000 people summered here: double the number of the preceding
year, and nearly four times as many as came in
1878. The Ulster and Delaware Railroad extends
74 miles from Rondout, its terminus being at Stamford, Delaware County, the prettiest village in all
the mountains, where Mr. Jay Gould spent a portion of his boyhood's days as a printer's devil. At Stamford the popular house is Churchill
Hall, within five minutes' walk of the depot.
Four express trains run each way daily. The
morning train leaves Rondout at 8 o'clock, being
followed by others at 12:15. 2:55. and 6:45 P. M.
The first station on the road is West Hurley, 9
miles from Rondout, 530 feet above tide-water.
From this point passengers take the stage up the
mountain side to the Overlook House. The stage
fare is $1 50. The other stopping-places are:
Olive Branch, 12 miles, elevation 511 feet; Brown's
Station, 15 miles, elevation 525 feat; Broadhead's
Bridge, 17 miles, elevation 500 feet; Shokan, 18
miles, elevation 533 feet; Boiceville, 21 miles, elevation 615 feet; Mount Pleasant, 24 miles, elevation 700 feet; Phoenicia, (Tremper House), 27 miles,
elevation 798 feet; Shandaken, 33 miles, elevation
1,000 feet; Big Indian, 36 miles, elevation 1,209
feet; Pine Hill. (Guigou's), 39 miles, elevation
1,660 feet; Summit, (the Grand Hotel), 41 miles,
elevation 1,886 feet; Griffin's Corners, 44 miles,
elevation. 1,516 feet; Arkville and Margaretville,
48 miles, elevation 1,344 feet; Roxbury. (Jay
Gould's birthplace), 59 miles, elevation, 1,497 feet;
Grand Gorge, 65 miles, elevation 1,570 feet; Stamford, 74 miles, elevation 1,767 feet. Prattsville and
Gilboa, attractive and popular villages, are reached
from Grand Gorge by a short and pleasant stage
ride.
Connecting with the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, the Albany Day boats, leaving New-York
early, in the morning, stop at Rhinebeck at 2:10,
from which point a ferry crosses the river to
Rondout in time for the 2:55 train. The cost of a
ticket to Rhinebeck is $1.25 and ferriage to Rondout is 13 cents extra. The Hudson River Railroad
trains (fare $1.76) stop also at Rhinebeck for the
same connection. The 8 A. M. train from the Grand
Central Depot arrives in time for the noon mountain train, and the Chicago express leaving New-York at 10:30 A. M. connects with the 2:55 train.
On Saturdays, when a special train runs into the
mountains, leaving Rondout at 7:30 P. M., the
Troy express, 4 o'clock, will connect. This Saturday special has been utilized by the Erie Railroad
in a novel manner. The Ulster County express,
which leaves New-York at 3:30 P. M., reaches
Rondout at a little past 7, where the car containing
its mountain passengers is switched upon the
Ulster and Delaware track and attached to the
regular train, thus affording a ride from Jersey
City directly into the heart of the mountains without change of cars. The Erie train leaving New-York
at 9 A.M. connects with the 2:55 train from Rondout.
The regular rate by the Erie to Rondout is $1.88,
the combination fare being $3 05 to the Summit,
(Grand Hotel.) for which place excursion ticket's,
good throughout the season, are issued at $5 85.
This is the only excursion ticket sold to
any point in the Catskills by any route.
The Rondout steamers, the Thomas Cornell and
James W. Baldwin, leave the foot of Harrison-street every afternoon at 4 o'clock, except on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays the Thomas
Cornell leaves at 1 o'clock, arriving at Rondout
about 7, connecting with the special Saturday
night express over the Ulster and Delaware Rail
road. On other occasions the steamers do not
reach Rondout until 10 o'clock, comfortable berths
and staterooms being furnished passengers until
they are called next morning in time to catch the
8 o'clock mountain train. The steam-boat fare
from New-York is $1. The steamer Mary Powell,
popularly known as the "Queen of the Hudson,"
and the fastest boat on the river, leaves New-York
daily, except Sunday. from the foot of Vestry-street. and West Twenty-second-street at 3:20 P.M. The same rate is charged as on the other
Rondout boats. She arrives at Rondout early in
the evening, and passengers desiring the morning
mountain train are transferred to the Rondout
hotels, where a good room for the night will cost
not more than $1. By all the routes to Rondout-on-the-Hudson-River and Erie Railroads and the various lines of steam-boats — tickets are sold and baggage checked from New-York direct to any point
on the Ulster and Delaware Railroad by the simple combining of the two fares.
A great event in the Catskills this year is the
building of the Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain
Railroad, a branch of the Ulster and Delaware
Railroad, connecting at Phoenicia and running to
Hunter, Greene County, through the famous
Stony Clove notch, into many recesses of which
sunshine has never penetrated and snow and ice
are found during every day of the year. A branch
of the new railroad already approaching completion will run through Tannersville and Haines's
Falls to a point in the vicinity of the Laurel House,
Hotel Kaaterskill, and the old Catskill Mountain
House. By this route the attractive points in
Greene County will be as accessible by rail as are
those of Ulster, and patronage which of late years
has drifted away from the older territory may be
again secured. The Stony Clove has long ranked
high as a popular resort. The temperature, which
elsewhere in the mountains ranges from 15° to 20°
below that of New-York. here falls a good 10°
farther. At the entrance to the Clove is the
Tremper House., one of the largest and best managed hotels in the Catskills. Its location attracts the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
and the Brooklyn Congregational Association
as visitors every year. Major Tremper announces that his house is already nearly filled for
the season, many guests having filed application
for entertainment months ago. A similar report
comes from a majority of the standard houses.
The real season here will open the coming week,
though some of the hotels have been favored with
a limited number of guests since the middle of
June. The rush here begins about July 10, and it
is estimated that there will be an increase of
visitors this year over last to at least the extent of
10,000, a majority of the increase representing
New-York families, who, for the most part, will
remain through July, August, and September.
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