History of the Catskills

The Catskill Mountains consist of 98 peaks each over 3,000 feet, rising up from the Hudson River in dramatic fashion. The Catskill Preserve consists of 287,500 acres, protected as state land.

In 1609, explorer Henry Hudson traveled up the river that now bears his name. His entry into the region led to loosely settled Dutch fur camps in the 17th century.

The Hudson River School, a group of American artists in the mid-19th century, featured the views of the Catskills and the Hudson River, and increased the area's popularity. The School was reportedly founded by Thomas Cole who, with friend Frederic Church, had his residence turned into a historical site.

As the railroad made travel easier, the Catskills expanded as a recreational resort destination. Enormous hotels were built late in the 19th century, only to fall into disrepair early in the 20th century. Smaller hotels and campsites sprung up in the 1930's to 1950's, in part to accommodate large numbers of ethnic groups from New York City, including Germans, Jews, Czechs, Irish and others who flocked to the area. As airline travel became more popular, travel to the Catskills decreased.

Perhaps the region's biggest claim to fame is the music festival Woodstock, which was held in Bethel, New York, in 1969.
Also, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Cooperstown, right on the banks of one of the region's many lakes. Cooperstown is named for author James Fenimore Cooper, whose family played a part in establishing the area.