In the 1800s, the Catskill Mountains became a tourist destination. By the late 1800s, large numbers of vacationers traveled via the Hudson River by steamship and disembarked at either Kingston or Catskill to take trains up to the grand hotels in the mountains.
A bitter competitive rivalry emerged between the cities of Kingston and Catskill. When a rail connection to the hotels in the Catskills was first made from Kingston, Folks in the city of Catskill started freaking out. Below are a few excerpts from the newspaper The Catskill Recorder pulled from the
NYS Historic Newspapers project.
Its a fascinating look back at economic rivalries and a jarring reminder of how important railroads were back then. You will need to click on the thumbnail to enlarge them.
1879 - Catskills to be Fenced in?
"... Every effort is being made by interested neighbors in Ulster to divert the tide of Summer travel form Catskill! Can we live with less business?"
1881 - Catskill Mountain Railroad
"Close connections and fast times will win!"
1882 - Bah Humbug - Robin Hood's Barn Route
Summer Resort Gossip
1883 - The Local Railroads
Making a case for the importance of the Catskill Mountain Railway.
1891 - Up the Mountains in 10 Minutes
Making a Case for building the the Otis Incline Railway
1892 - Excursion From Albany
"Don't miss this chance!
1892 - Timetable
Both Cairo and Palenville Branches were active...
1893 - "Delighted"
A half hour shorter than the competition!
1893 - Catskill & Tannersville Railroad
Opening Announcement
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