Historical Markers in
Sullivan County, New York

Agnes DeMille Arlington Hotel Battle of Minisink Battle of Minisink Battle of Minisink Battle of Minisink Battle of Minisink Memorial Bloomingburgh Bluestone Quarries Boothroyd House Brant’s Camp Brant’s Crossing Bridge Camp Holley Canal Basin & Sluiceway Canal Bridge Canal Office Congregation Agudas Achim Corner Post of Inn Burned on Feb. 24, 1922 Covered Bridge Pool D. and H. Canal D. and H. Canal Delaware & Hudson Canal Demise of the Canal Devastating Fire Dexter Manufacturing Dry Docks Dutch Reformed Church Ending at Rondout Erie Train Station Fort Delaware Fort Delaware / Narrowsburg’s History Fort Delaware Museum Fort Devens Goulds Church Bell Grahamsville War Memorial Handy Family Hankins Hartwood Heirsville Hellers Triangle Here Stood Gillman's Depot Here Stood one of the Stage Coach Stations History of the Canal Honor Roll of Long Eddy Hospital Rock In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes Indian Raid Indian Rock J.S. Anderson Building Jersey Claim Line John R. Mott Kautz Memorial Building Last Piece of Yasgur Farm Last Stand On The Rocky Hill Life Along the Canal Life on the Canal Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Lock No. 50 Locks Log Cabin Logging Long Eddy Business District Long Eddy Ferries Long Eddy Hotel Long Eddy Industry Long Eddy, New York Long Eddy's Pastime Lutheran Church Max and Miriam Yasgur Methodist Church Methodist Church Methodist Church Michel Helm Minisink Battle Monument Minisink Battleground Park Monticello Depot Moore's Turning Mill and Saw Mill Narrowsburg Central Rural School Narrowsburg's History / Main Street Nathaniel Sackett Neversink Reservoir O&W & Summitville Station Oakland Valley School District #3 Old Mine Road ~ D. and H. Canal Original Snubbing Philip F. Gottschalk Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church Railroads in Long Eddy Rediscover Sherwood Island Reflections on Two Hamlets Risen from the Ashes Riverside Cemetery Riverside Park 2009 Roebling’s Cable Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct Roscoe Station Site N.Y Ontario & Western Rwy. Ruddick Pond Saint Josephs Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church Site of First House in Monticello Site of Methodist Church Site of Toll House Site of Yaugh House St John's Episcopal Church St. James Church and Rectory St. Patrick's Church St. Patrick's Long Eddy St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Stephen Crane’s Pond Stranahan's Store Ten Mile River The Battle at Minisink The Beaverkill Covered Bridge The Bridges over the Delaware The Canal & the Railroad The Catskill Mountains The Decker Building The Green Building The Maple Grove House The Narrowest and The Deepest The Neversink Reservoir The New York City Water Supply System The Oasis Thomas Dunn Timber Rafting Town Hall Site Town of Delaware Town of Thompson Town of Tusten Towpath Tusten Tusten Town Hall Veterans Memorial War Memorial Waste Weirs Westbrook Fort Westfield Flats Cemetery Woodstock Woodstock Music and Arts Fair Wurtsboro Wurtsboro Wurtsboro Veterans Monument “They Came to the Mountains by Rail”
In the mid-19th century, New York City was the largest slaveholding city in the United States, and the largest slave market was located on Wall Street.
Sullivan County, located in the southern part of New York State, has a rich and diverse history that spans over several centuries. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, such as the Lenape people, who relied on the land's resources for their sustenance and way of life.

European settlement in Sullivan County began in the early 18th century, with the arrival of Dutch and English settlers. The area quickly became known for its fertile land and natural resources, attracting more settlers seeking opportunities for farming, lumbering, and trading. The county's development accelerated with the construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal in the mid-19th century, which connected the region to New York City and facilitated the transport of goods.

Sullivan County experienced significant growth and prosperity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly with the rise of tourism. The region's picturesque landscapes, including the Catskill Mountains and the many lakes and rivers, attracted city-dwellers who sought refuge from urban life. The county became a popular vacation destination, known for its grand resorts, guesthouses, and outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and hiking.

In the mid-20th century, Sullivan County gained national recognition as the epicenter of the Borscht Belt, a popular vacation spot for Jewish families from the 1920s to the 1970s. Numerous resorts and entertainment venues flourished, hosting renowned comedians, musicians, and performers. However, the decline of the Borscht Belt began in the 1960s, as changing vacation preferences and economic factors led to the closure of many resorts.

Today, Sullivan County continues to embrace its natural beauty, promoting outdoor recreation and attracting visitors with its state parks, scenic trails, and opportunities for boating, camping, and skiing. The county also remains a popular destination for artists, musicians, and writers seeking inspiration from its serene landscapes. Through its history, Sullivan County has evolved from a Native American territory to a thriving agricultural and tourism hub, leaving a lasting legacy as a place where nature, culture, and relaxation converge.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Sullivan County, New York.

  • 1703- Sullivan County was originally part of Ulster County, NY.
  • 1809- Sullivan County was formed and named after General John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War hero.
  • 1800s- The area was primarily agricultural, with farming and logging as major industries.
  • 1848- The Erie Railroad reached Sullivan County, spurring economic growth and tourism.
  • 1881- The Monticello and Port Jervis Railroad opened, further improving transportation in the county.
  • 1900s- The tourism industry boomed, with the county becoming a popular destination for city dwellers seeking fresh air and outdoor activities.
  • 1960s-70s- The construction of the Monticello Raceway and the opening of several large resorts brought more tourism and jobs to the area.
  • 1997- The county faced economic decline as resorts closed, leading to a focus on revitalization and diversifying the local economy.
  • Present- Sullivan County remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a growing arts and culture scene.