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Introduction - Van Loan's 1879 Catskill Mt Guide

FOR fifty years the Catskill Mountains have been visited as one of the attractions of our country, and the Catskill Mountain House, for a large portion of that time, was the only place for entertainment of the tourist among the mountains. Now, however, the Laurel House at the Kaaterskill Falls is a well-known summer resort; and the two fine houses at Catskill - the Prospect Park Hotel, so conspicuous on approaching the village, and the Grant House, so handsomely located on Jefferson Heights, one mile from the Hudson - share with the Father of these summer resorts in entertaining the increasing flow of visitors to this delightful region.

Another section of the Catskill Mountains has recently come prominently into notice by reason of its easy access by rail; and consequently the Overlook Mountain House, the Tremper House, F. B. Lament's, the Guigou House, Mrs. Floyd's and others on the southern and western slopes of the Catskills receive their share of summer visitors.

A lover of all "mountains and hills," and particularly those of his own State, hopes that the visitors to this summer resort will enjoy themselves among its mountains and valleys, receiving additional health and strength, and, when homeward bound, will desire to return at some future time, bringing others to participate in the pleasures of this " Switzerland of America. "

From the 1879 text:

The world-wide reputation of the scenery of the Catskill Mountains makes it unnecessary to reproduce any of the numerous published descriptions that from time to time have appeared in the papers and magazines of the country. Our object-in this part of the Guide-is rather to assist the visitor (who has made the ascent of the best mountain road in this country) in finding the principal points of interest within four miles' radius of the Catskill Mountain House. We take this central point, as the space covered includes that portion which for fifty years has been visited by thousands in search of the sublime and the picturesque.

In this age of " hurry" many expect to see in a day what should occupy weeks. After looking from the rocky plateau in front of the Mountain House, over the ten thousand square miles spread out before them, including sixty miles of the Hudson River and portions of five States, and taking a hasty trip to the Kaaterskill Falls, they feel that they have " done " the mountains and must away.

This is a great mistake, for there are many lovely and romantic walks, over wellbeaten paths, that can be taken within an hour.

We shall attempt in as few words as possible to guide you along the following paths, and trust with the aid of the maps prepared expressly to accompany this book, you may enjoy yourselves among these "everlasting hills."

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Copyright © 1996 by Richard Frisbie -- All rights reserved.