Catskill History

Catskill History. . , America's First Wilderness , More than a century ago, after years of exploitation at the hands of lumbermen, tanners, quarrymen and settlers striving to make a living while conquering the dark and unknown wilderness of the Catskills, a new attitude of appreciation and respect for wilderness began to take root and continues to this day. , In addition to hemlocks, the Catskills were also rich in hardwoods like maple, birch and cherry. Furniture makers, lumbermen, charcoal producers, hoop makers and acid manufacturers all relied on wood from Catskill forests and cleared vast areas of the region. , After clearing trees, many settlers took up farming, building stone walls to define pastures. The walls that remain testify to the farmers' determination and hard work. , Inventing Tourism , In the early 1800s, steamboats traveling up the Hudson River from New York City initiated a robust tourism industry, spawning the development of numerous hotels, many of which became landmarks in the region. Railroads accelerated tourism's growth, opening the mountains to the masses, who developed an enduring appreciation for the wild Catskills., Birth of the Forest Preserve , Created in 1885, the forever wild Catskill Forest Preserve initially protected 34,000 acres but has grown to nearly 300,000 acres as support for a constitutionally protected park became a critical part of New York's heritage., (photo captions) , . Fenwick Lumber Camp, Lanesville, NY , . The Catskill Mountain House , . The Laurel House , . Sunset Rock , . Belleayre Mt.