Area History
In 1872, two railroads (the Ulster & Delaware and the Ontario & Western) began running to the area, opening it up for tourism. Until that time, the economy of the area had been agricultural, with lumber & tanning. Contributing to the shift towards a recreational economy were a variety of factors. Farms were sold to make way for lodging for weekend travelers, tanneries exhausted their supplies of hemlock bark used in tanning, and small steam-powered circular saws were replaced by large, centrally-located saw mills. The biggest factor however, influencing the trend to a recreational economy was fly-fishing.
Between 1865 and 1915, the Beaverkill and other nearby streams were the setting for many advancements in fly-fishing that created a true American style of the sport. One notable resident, Edward Hewitt (of New York's Cooper-Hewitt families) dedicated himself to "making better trout fishing", working on improving trout hatchery science and creating better fish habitat through modifying physical aspects of the river. The Beaverkill Valley has been an inspiration for many artists and musicians; Irving Berlin, another notable resident, built a home in Lew Beach.
Fishing and stream clubs were formed soon after the railroads came to the Beaverkill Valley area. Some of these "clubs", private corporations created for investors to own stretches of river (and fly fishing rights), still exist. Hunting groups have also been active in preservation efforts in the area, as they owned large tracts of land. The state of New York contributed to maintaining the pristine nature of the area as well, with the creation of the Catskill Forest Preserve in 1885. Since its inception, the Preserve has grown from 34,000 acres to 300,000 acres, with some land designated as "forever wild". It includes forests, meadows, remnants of old farmsteads, rare plants and animals, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and springs.
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Beaverkill Valley Inn ~ 7 Barnhart Road ~ Lew Beach, NY 12753
Telephone: (845) 439-4844
