Local History with Dede Terns-Thorpe - The Catskill Mountain House

CATSKILL - The Catskill Mountain House, also known as The Pine Orchard, opened 200 years ago, Construction began in 1823, with the grand opening in 1824. The Catskill Mountain House was the start of all that the Mountain Top is today. (It makes one wonder how construction took place without electricity, modern equipment, or transport vehicles, just the horse and wagon.)

The following notes are from local historian, Esther Haines Dunn, the granddaughter of Christian Charlie Haines, owner of the Haines Falls House (West of the entrance to Twilight Park). Mr. Haines sold the property that today is called, Twilight Park. Mr. Charles Wingate was at an 1887 sanitary engineers convention and stayed a few nights at Mr. Haines’s hotel. 

Esther Dunn wrote, “ The still very young USA, quite firm on its feet, once the war of 1812 was over, had a vast number of visitors and travelers. They came from widespread parts of our own country, and the West Indies, South America, Britain, and Europe. All were curious to see our lands. Pictures in books and magazines showed them what to expect.”

Because Ms. Dunn had numerous articles concerning the CMH, we will try and cover much of it over the next few weeks. Dunn said people would sail by sloop or steamboat up the Hudson River to the Tappan Zee (A natural widening of the Hudson River about 3 miles across at its widest, in southeast New York) and after reaching the Highlands, with excitement they’d look for the new lone white building, built high on the mountaintop. 

Landing at the point in Catskill they’d embark westward, by stagecoach, on the twelve-mile trip, nine miles to Palenville and three miles up a difficult narrow road. The gentlemen frequently got out and walked, to relieve the burden on the horses. 

On arrival at the top, the spectacular view of the Hudson River made the arduous trip worthwhile. Ms. Dunn said the almost touchable river pulsated with life, sailboats, steamboats, barges, and tugs. The Erie Canal had opened in 1825 and America’s commerce growth rocketed.

She said the CMH was famed around the world during the 1800s. Distinguished visitors from abroad, as well as numerous writers, actors, generals, and three Presidents of the United States, visited the house.

Charles L. Beach of Catskill, a young man who had spent his young life exposed to the excitement brought about by the CMH, had the opportunity to lease and then purchase the Pine Orchard. He soon expanded the building, and added the famous thirteen white Corinthian columns, giving the building a Greek Revivalist appearance. 

Pre-1845-when Charles Beach purchased the CMH:

Front steps descended on the sides of the piazza. After 1845 the stairs descended at the center of the pizza. 

Columns were slender and extended across the north extension of the building. After 1845  the added  Corinthian pillars were fluted and the capitals were hand-carved. They were based on the piazza floor, not on the ground as before. 

A south wing was added, eventually extending to the west rear of the building. The north wing (kitchen, utility rooms, sheds, etc. were constantly being developed. The rear of the building was very plain and seldom shown. 

Beach installed the large flagpole.

The view from the Catskill Mountain House, although no longer standing, continues to share the excitement of viewing the Hudson River and the valley below. How lucky we are to live so close.

Thanks so much for reading. Take care of yourselves, and stay safe. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunter Historian