Green Catskills - Antique Postcard Collection

I've been collecting these cards for some time now. I usually only buy them if they have a strong connection to the area in which I live - "The Mountaintop" Area of Greene County new york. Each is very unique and some are quite old. as i collect more I will add to this page. Please enjoy my digital collection. if you have any questions or comments or would like to tell me something i dont know about any of these (i dont claim to be an all knowing expert) please contact me here.

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Bird's-eye View of Phoenicia, Catskill Mountains, N.Y.

this is the view of stony clove notch to the North from a mountain overlooking phoenicia and the esopus in the foreground.

The Oldest House Standing in the Catskills - Haines Falls - Version 1

I have two versions of this image, and i believe this to be the newer one. notice the barn in the background as well as the dilapidated nature of the porch roof on the house in foreground.
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The Oldest House Standing in the Catskills - Haines Falls - Version 2

I have two versions of this image, and i believe this to be the older one. notice the barn in the background is no longer there and there is trees in its place, and the roof on the porch of the house looks to be in better shape.
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West Basin of Ashokan Reservoir, Showing Ashokan Bridge and Upper Gate Chamber Catskill Mtns. NY.

The Ashokan reservoir and bridge. This bridge looks pretty much exactly how it does in this picture today. Notice overlook and indian head mountain in the distance. this is also the first of my collection to have a swastika on back side of the postcard. the card is made in the U.S.A.

Update: The "Swastika" (I have been told) is a company logo that is pre-Nazi Germany, so at the time the cards were manufactured, it had no signficance. Also, I believe the orientation is not the same - Thanks edward for the info, the "swastika" had been a mystery to me for some time. - sean
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New York City Water Supply - Aerating the Water - Ashokan Reservoir, Catskill Mountains, NY.

this fountain is still in existence as well. the city dep has its offices very close by to where this fountain is. Once again the swastika on the backside of the card.

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Olive Bridge Dam, Ashokan Reservoir Showing Esopus Canyon, Catskill Mountains, N.Y.

an impressive view of the ashokan reservoir and olive bridge dam. STill in existence and still looks almost identical to this image. Again the swastika is on the back side of this image.
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Rip's Rock, Catskill Mts. N.Y. Where Rip Van Winkle Slept 20 Years.

This is rips rock. last i knew the writing on the rock has worn off but the rock remains. it can be located in the trails surrounding north/south lake campground.
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Alligator Rock, Catskill Mountains N.Y. - Postmarked 192#

The infamous alligator rock. this rock still exists although the teeth i'm not sure are still there. i have seen pictures where people have their entire bodies inside it with a leg or two sticking out.
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The Five Cascades, Just below Haines Falls - Postmarked 1908

this card showcases the many falls located just below haines falls in the kaaterskill clove. this postcard was sent from one Yager brother to another in New york city in september of 1908. looks like he wanted his shears.
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Upper Kaaterskill Falls, Catskill Mountains

The familiar image of the upper kaaterskill falls, directly below where the laurel house once stood. this falls is the highest in new york state.
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Maude Adam's Cottage, Catskill Mountains. #81

This postcard shows the cottage of maude adams, mispelled maud in this one. this cottage i believe still stands in ONteora park just north of tannersville. maude adams was a very well known stage actress during the turn of the century, best known for her role as "peter pan". - this postcard is not postmarked, so i'm guessing it was never sent although it is written upon.
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Mink Hollow Range - Catskill Mountains, N.Y.

this is one of my favorites as it truly is a photographic image of one of my favorite mountain ranges. twin mountain is the one thats most prevalent in the front center. sugarloaf (once known as mink mountain) is to the rear, with plateau in the distance. indian head mountain is the mountain barely seen at right. this is viewed from the south side in what looks to be an apple tree grove.
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Rip Van Winkle - Greeting from the Catskills - Postmarked 1911

Another favorite, i believe this to be the actor that was hired at the mountain house hotel during the turn of the century to play old rip and play into the washington irving mystique that they marketed so well there. i know from alf evers book that they had hired a series of actors to play him. this one has very intriguing message however, "why don't you answer" clearly marked on the backside. also this has a very interesting texture and feels like a stamped imprint on it when you feel it in your hands. very unique.
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Sport in the Catskills - Postmarked 1907

These two hunters looked like they have gotten themselves quite a bit of game. foxes and other animals can clearly be seen hanging in the background. the sender wrote on the card "have not come across an elk yet - mike" this is very interesting since i had no idea that elk ever were in the catskills. perhaps he was joking, i dont know.
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