Where history meets adventure.
image courtesy of the O&W Historical Society
The Town of Mamakating was created before the county was created, dating back to 1788. History buffs still can visit the gravesite of Manuel Gonsalaus, the first non-Native American settler in the area, who built his cabin on current Route 209 circa 1700. He is buried at a small private cemetery at the Wurtsboro airport.
1828-1898
An economic sea change swamped the area in 1825 with the groundbreaking of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The village of Wurtsboro is itself named after the Wurts brothers who owned vast amounts of coal-rich land in Pennsylvania and helped to develop the D&H canal idea. The venture was to move the anthracite coal, which burns hotter and cleaner than any other coal, to fuel New York City. It was operational for 70 years, until railroads made it obsolete. The D&H Canal was the country’s first private corporation with $1 Million in capitalization and in its peak year, 1872, nearly 3 million tons of coal were carried over this canal.
The memory of the canal is preserved today in the Town of Mamakating as an historic linear park which spans the entire length of Mamakating. Visitors can hike the towpath and visit the remains of the canal locks.
1868-1956
What the railroads took away in terms of canal traffic, they brought in terms of tourism. The New York, Ontario and Western Railroad (known as the O&W) brought tourists to Mamakating from about 1868 to 1956. They arrived from Port Jervis and from Middletown via the High View tunnel through the Shawangunk Mountains. As the Gateway to Sullivan County, Mamakating was the Gateway to the Catskills, a place for rest and relaxation, picture taking and exploring.
Borsch Belt Days
From the 1920s to 1960s Mamakating played a role in shaping the summers of east coast Jewish Americans. The Borsch Belt, or Jewish Alps as the area of the lower Catskills was known, was a refuge and cultural highlight for many Jews who were historically not welcome in many other vacation spots. In Mamakating, the Shawanga Lodge operated from 1926 until 1972.
The property is now owned by the Open Space Initiative and is part of the preserved properties along the Long Trail/Shawangunk Ridge Trail.
Today
The Town is home to the Bashakill Wetlands, the largest freshwater wetland (more than 3000 acres) in southeastern NY, a designated Wildlife Management Area containing a diverse population of wildlife including over 220 species of birds, 30 species of fish, 200 species of wildflowers, and many amphibian and reptile species. Activities include bird watching, kayaking, fishing, and hiking along its 15 miles of trails.
In addition to exploring the beautiful outdoors, Mamakating is home to the oldest continuously operated glider airport in the US, a seasonal farmer’s market, and a lively village with shops and restaurants.