Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - A Tidbit from 1934

This was a little blurb about BEAR CUBS as told by the Conservation Department (today’s N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation).

“The spring practice of catching bear cubs and then keeping them, as possible money-making attractions is definitely taboo this year, according to the Conservation Department. There will be no licenses issued to keep bears in captivity and furthermore permission to possess them will not be given.”

TANNERSVILLE FOOD FAIR FIRE. 1965.

“Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the Food Fair in Tannersville this morning, at a loss unofficially estimated at more than $40,000.00, (about $411,600.00 today). The store is owned by Tom Tamara.” Mutual aid was invoked with Haines Falls, and Hunter responding, and Palenville on alert. It said it was a stubborn battle, and although the contents were destroyed, the structure’s frame remained. (A sad day for the Mountain Top.)

PRIOR TO THE 1935 RIP VAN WINKLE BRIDGE, THE FERRY of A.F. BEACH (Addison F., a younger brother of Charles Labatt Beach of the Catskill Mt. House) TRANSPORTED PEOPLE FROM CATSKILL AND GREENDALE FOR OVER 50 YEARS. The RVW Bridge was quicker, and people were willing to spend the extra money. The 0.80 fee would be approximately $19.00 today, and the charge was from each side of the bridge.

A December 1936 paper said, “the Ferries Management Corporation”, has submitted to the village board of Catskill a proposal for the resumption of a ferry service between Catskill and Greendale. The old municipal A. F. Beach Ferry had been condemned by the government and taken off the route several weeks before and sold as junk to Perry Pelotoubet of Athens. The purchase price was $375.00, about $11,250 today.

President John Englis, of the Ferries Mgt. Corp, offered to pay Catskill Village $599.00 (about $9,000.00 today) per year for the lease of the Catskill ferry slip, as well as $100 per year for the maintenance of the road leading from the ferry landing at Greendale to the main highway, 1/16th (330 feet) of a mile. (I haven't found the results of that offer, but it seems like the only travel was by the RVW Bridge.

I hope you enjoyed the tidbits. Stay well and be careful.

Dede Terns-Thorpe