The Catskills: Its History and How It Changed America

This remarkable volume by Silverman (Funny Ladies) and Silver (Congregation) chronicles the 400-year history of the Catskill Mountains in southeastern New York. Spanning Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, the Catskills have played a significant role in the history of the U.S. "frontier," and even in the development of a unique American identity. The rolling green hills have inspired countless writers, photographers, adventurers, artists, nature lovers, and tycoons. Beginning with the navigation of the river that came to be known as the Hudson, major events in Catskills history are explored in depth. These include early settlement by the Dutch and the creation of a literary identity as established writers such as Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper settled in the area. Also explored is the development of the Hudson River Railroad, the "Borscht Belt," and Woodstock. Final chapters focus on critical issues of the present day including the real estate boom and the controversy surrounding hydraulic fracturing. Research is pulled from countless primary source materials including photographs, newspaper clippings, maps, paintings, and portraits.