Laurel House

Smaller than either the Mountain House, or the Hotel Kaaterskill, the Laurel House had an advantage of location.  Kaaterskill Falls was right at at its doorstep.  The Hotel survived until it was destroyed by fire in 1967.      [Nick Lyons, grandson of a former owner is writing a memoir of the Laurel House.  He is seeking any publications, references, letters, photographs, personal anecdotes, and  would be grateful if you would contact him at:   plyons@hawaii.edu]

An advertising brochure from the 1890's tells us that...  "Nature has been lavish, indeed, in making this locality an IDEAL SUMMER RESORT." "From the western veranda is a view unsurpassed in America.  In front is the wonderful Kaaterskill Ravine, with its rugged, rock-hewn sides; the white birch, balsam and hemlocktrees among the crevices.  Twilight, Sunset and Santa Cruz Parks, with their numerous cottages and club houses, nestled on the mountain side, greet the eyes, while above them towers Mt. Lincoln and Round Top--two of the highest peaks of the Catskills--and far to the westward as the eye can reach are seen peak after peak of the chain following the Schoharie Vally, making the picture complete and untiring in its beauty."