Local History with Dede Terns-Thorpe - OUR POLICE GUARDIANS

A New York City Policeman, ” Officer 787, Author John J. Hickey’s 1925 book included an interesting chapter about the infancy of the Platt Clove Police Camp. (An abbreviated story.) 

 “HISTORY OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND THE POLICING OF THE SAME FOR THE PAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS.”   

It’s about the Police Camp that opened in the beautiful Catskills, in the heart of Platt Clove just off what was called, the Platt Clove Turnpike! Richard E. Enright, N.Y.C. Police Commissioner, and other officers of authority had purchased the Kaplan Estate. He said, “Just imagine a 500-acre Police Camp one hundred and thirty miles from the heart of New York, situated at the foot of and under the protection of old Indian Head.” Here was the “Waldorf-Astoria” of the mountains that gave life to the estate by providing the lodging. There were the normal 1925 luxuries, along with all the activities one could want. 

The Police Camp was self-supporting;  guests paid only to eat. Disabled police were boarded free of charge.  Commissioner Enright saw to it that police widows and families were brought to the Camp for three weeks' vacation at no expense.   

Speaking as a Mountain Top local (almost) the Police Camp was a major source of summer employment for the Mountain Top. The camp needed workers in all capacities; lawn maintenance, gardeners, carpenters, lifeguards, housekeepers (The White Tornadoes-a few from Dora Morton’s book: Mickie Yager, Rose Byrne, Mabel McGinnis, Norma Byrne, Paulie Bunt, Tessie Snyder, June Lawrence, Doris Pederson, Elsie Jensen, Flo Joynce Jensen, Carol Bunt, Lana Flinn, and Cindy Vann, Doris Jensen, Barbara Curtis, Margie Jensen, Daphne Young, Stephanie White and of course, Dodie Byrne), waitresses, chefs, cooks, dishwashers, and on and on. Dora also mentioned how Elsie Jensen was found to be taking a dip in the lake, but only after she had been pushed in by June Lawrence and Mickie Yager!  

Two people who spent endless dedicated years organizing the Police Camp were John and Edna Shauger. Along with raising four children, they kept the Police Camp in operation for years.   

“ NEW YORK POLICE CENTER” A SHORT HISTORY,”  by Platt Clove resident Dora Vann Morton in 1972. 

“With tales bringing out unity and fun among the workers at the Police Centre.” 

“To the memory of David Kaplan, the original owner of this estate, and to all those who carried out his dreams through hard work and planning to make the Police Recreation Centre what it is today.”  Dora Vann Morton. 

Thank you Dora Vann Morton and Officer John J. Hickey for keeping the history of the N.Y. Police Camp alive. Dr. Kaplan, the Police Centre, and the Platt Clove Community have helped to keep the history of the beautiful Platt Clove area alive.  

Thanks for reading. Stay safe, and be well. 

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunter Historian