Tannersville Village, Greene County, New York (NY)

Tannersville Village

Greene County, New York

Home | Contact | Site Index | Whats New | Search

Tannersville Village Hall is located at 1 Park Lane, Tannersville, NY 12485.
Phone: 518‑589‑5850.

Beginnings [1]

During the era of tanneries, an Indian trail through the future site of Tannersville was reused as a path for tannery workers and travelers. Increased travel led to the development of a network of roads that converged at the "Four Corners," site of a tavern. The hamlet that grew around it, named Tannersville in reference to the dominant local industry, was initially defined by a sprinkling of residences, boarding houses, livery stables, blacksmith shops, and other services that catered primarily to the tanners. However, by the time the tannery business had exhausted the natural resources that it depended on, Tannersville had also established schools, stores and other services that attracted farm families from the surrounding areas. As transportation became more efficient, the village began to welcome greater numbers of summer visitors, and after the mid 19th century, tourism became increasingly important. The combination of efficient transportation from the New York metropolitan area and affordable housing drew a large summer population. In the 1890s the first Jewish vacationers began to patronize the hamlet and by the end of the century Tannersville was substantially dependent on the Jewish resort industry. The village was incorporated in 1895.

Tannersville catered predominantly to middle class tourists. The village was dotted with small hotels, boarding houses and cottages. One of the best-known accommodations was Roggen's Mountain Home, whose guests arrived via the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. A critic described the village: "If one goes to the mountains simply to join a rollicking, highly varied crowd, which is bent on having a 'good time' without much expense or attention to conventionalities, the Tannersville district will suit him." In part, it was this reputation for "a good time without attention to conventionalities" that sparked interest in private summer colonies, where members could decide exactly which conventions they would hold their members to.

  1. Kathleen La Frank, New York State Historic Preservation Office, Hathaway, Green County, New York, nomination document 2007, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.

Home | Contact | Site Index | Whats New | Search

Privacy | Disclaimer | © 1997-2024, The Gombach Group