History of the Town of Hunter
Catskill Mountain HouseIndians lived in some parts of the lowlands but not in the mountains. Although they were familiar with them as hunting grounds the Indians chose not to settle there. During the American Revolution, they used a path through the mountains as a route when they took their captives to Fort Niagara. They had a small retention area when they were forced to stop for a period. This was located near what is known as “Tory Swamp” below a ledge used by Joseph Brandt as a lookout to the valley below. It was never an actual fort.
The early records of the first settlers in the Town of Hunter are sparse but the first settlers recorded Grishom Griffen and three brothers, Elisha, John and Samuel Haines who probably arrived in what is now the Platte Clove area. They formerly lived in Putnam County.
Greene County was formed in 1813 from parts of the townships of Windham and Woodstock. The
Town of Hunter was given the name of in honor of John Hunter who was a land owner under the Hardenburgh Patent.
Other settlers arrived later through one of the three cloves, Kaaterskill, Stony Clove or Platte Clove. Each of the first two were very steep and narrow, following the streams running between mountains on either side. Today a modern, but winding road, leads the traveler into the Mountains. Because of very limited space for width in Platte Clove, the road, though surfaced, is winding and the grade steeper. (This road is not maintained during the winter months.) Each offers spectacular views and vistas.
There are two incorporated villages within the township. Hunter, which was originally called Greenland, then later Edwardsville, was incorporated in 1894 and Tannersville in 1895, both of which became the commercial centers of the area providing needs of local residents and souvenirs and nick knacks for tourists
Early settlers lived by what the land provided. Although the land was hilly and rocky most landowners had farms of some description even if they were only sufficient to support their own family. Tanneries were set up where there were streams and hemlock trees. The abundance of hardwoods and water power were responsible for the presence of lumber mills along most steams.. Furniture factories were a result of the many lumbering companies. Quarries throughout the mountains, though mostly small, were mined and the stone shipped to cities for sidewalks.
The spectacular scenery, the vistas and the many waterfalls and hiking trails attracted writers, artists, poets and famous people in the nineteenth century. In order to provide lodging for these tourists, boarding houses and huge hotels were built. Among the best known was the Catskill Mountain House, the Hotel Kaaterskill and the Laurel House. Tourism became, and still is, the source of livelihood for the people of the mountains.
In 1882 railroads came into the mountains carrying passengers from Phoenica to South Lake. And in 1892 plans were implemented making it possible for an Otis elevating railroad to scale the steep wall of the mountain. This would meet the narrow-gauge railroad in Palenville and later the Catskill & Tannersville at the top near the Catskill Mountain House.
After the arrival of automobiles vacationers traveled all over the country leaving the Catskills behind. This followed by the depression and World War II left the mountain towns in a decline, but the economy began to bounce back with the introduction of the ski industry. There are now extensive ski trails Hunter Mountain and Nearby Windham Mountain as well as Snowboarding and artificial snow making facilities that extend the normal ski season.The mountains now offer year round points of interest for enthusiasts of the great outdoors as a vacation destination.
Fishing, hiking, hunter and ice-climbing are off season attractions. There are two N.Y. State run campsite. The smallest is Devil’s Tombstone the Stony Clove Notch. The second and one of the most popular of the state, is North-South Lake in Haines Falls. Some of the trails are part of the escarpment trail and offer view points that look into the mountains of the New England States and a broad panorama of the Hudson River. There are facilities for camping and picnics, two beaches and swimming. Canoes and kayaks may be used there. Within the campsite property there are trails for horses and for Cross County skiing, snow shoeing. and snowmobiling. The famous Kaaterskill Falls are also located in this area. At and near by this location some of the most memorable scenery of the East Coast can be discovered.
The Village of Hunter has a piano museum and a theatre, a craft shop, a book store, a farm market and art gallery. There is also a hardware store, a library and an antique shop, the ski slope offering festivals and sky rides during the breath-taking foliage season in late September and early October.
The Village of Tannersville is wearing a new look. The stores buildings along Main Street, many of which were built in the 19th century, have been painted in bright colors with decorative signs and shutters. There are many interesting boutiques and shops, antique stores, a antiquarian book shop, and several popular restaurants and take-out food places.
Within the Township of Hunter there are five post offices. The Church of the Immaculate Conception serves the Catholic congregants and a second, located in Elka Park is used occasionally. What is thought to be the earliest in the Albany Diocese is in the Village of Hunter and is on the historic register. There are two Episcopal churches within the township but open only in the July and August. At the intersection of county routes 25 and 23C is a beautiful stone, non-denominational church, built about 1890. It, though only seasonal, is a favorite for weddings.
The United Methodist Churches within the Town of Hunter have combined into one congregation with the majority of services held in the Tannersville Church. Summer and special services along with occasional funerals or weddings are also held there during the rest of the year. There are two synagogues, one in the Village of Hunter, and the other in the Village of Tannersville. Both are seasonal.
The Town of Hunter is fortunate in having within it fine Rescue Squad and ambulance services. There are also four Fire companies, one in Lanesville, Tannersville, Hunter and Haines Falls. Parades and fireworks are sponsored by various organizations during the year.