The Mountain Top Historical Society of Greene County has gathered a vast amount of material on the Hotel Kaaterskill (1881-1924) in the past several years that really brings the Hotel to light.
On Saturday, May 17th from 9 am until about 3 pm the Society will host a hike to and around the Hotel site with their archivist Bob Gildersleeve and historian George Hewitt.
An 1883 survey of the building apparently created for insurance purposes allows us to pinpoint everything from the elevator shafts to the location of the ice house, bowling alley, water tower barns, and more.
Photos donated to the society by the great grandson of Hotel Kaaterskill owner George Harding (also named George) give images of the hotel not seen elsewhere.
The photos of the grounds and hotel interior were taken in the 1920s when the Harding family was preparing to sell the building and are the most extensive interior shots that we have seen. They include the only known shot of the interior of the bridge between the main building and the annex and others of the courtyard.
Hikers will take the carriage road once used to take Hotel visitors from the railroad stop at South Lake to the Hotel Kaaterskill grounds. The elevation gain for this moderate hike (some rock scrambles are possible) is approximately 500 feet, over about 3 to 4 miles round trip (depending on optional excursions).
A per-car day use charge may be charged on entering the North-South Lake Campground.
This hike is limited to 20 participants and registration is required. For more information or to register, email mthsdirector@mths.org or call (518) 589-6657.
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