The Catskill Mountains occupy the southeastern corner of New York State. While they don’t reach the heights of the Rockies, The Catskill’s rolling forests are beautiful. Every year, the Amazing Ms. D and I head up to the town of Hobart, New York, on the western side of the Catskills, for a weekend of writers and books.
Modeled after the Welsh town of Hye on Way, Hobart NY has seven bookstores in a town of 350 people. Each store has its own theme. There is an antiquarian store; one specializes in mysteries and science fiction; one that offers cookbooks and home decor; and of course, one is a popular fiction store.
The stores work together, buying used books in bulk, and divvying them up. They work to bring visitors to this part of Delaware County. In that effort, the stores and Hobart host a Festival of Woman’s Literature in early June, inviting thirty or so writers to lead workshops and read from their work.
The Catskills are a great place for exploration. As you drive its roads, you pass through beautiful scenery. The towns you pass have histories that stretch back over two hundred years. Just about anywhere you stop, you will find historic buildings. Walton NY offers several beautiful old buildings.
In the Gardner Place Historic District is the William B. Ogden Free Library, built in 1897. Ogden was born in Walton, and went on to make money as a railroad owner, and he became the first mayor of Chicago. In his will, Ogden left money to Walton, and the town decided to use this bequest to build the library.
Ogden Free Library
Nearby is the Walton Theater, which shares its building with the town offices. Built in 1912, the theater serves as both a movie house and host to live shows and musical performances.
Across the river is the old Walton Armory. Built in 1896, it is now the home of Castle on the Delaware, a restaurant and event space. Next to armory is a building that was its administration offices. Today they are the home of the Walton Grange No. 1454.
Some Classic cars hanging outThis part of the Catskills is also where you can find several examples of traditional covered bridges. The hamlet of Hamden has a beautiful bridge crossing the West Branch of the Delaware River, and Downsville has a covered bridge crossing the East Branch of the Delaware. Both are beautiful, and they offer parking areas, so that you can explore the areas around the bridges.
Downsville Covered Bridge
East Branch of the Delaware River
The western Catskills are beautiful. It is a lot quieter and less touristy than its eastern counterpart. Come and enjoy this beautiful land.
Nuts and Bolts
- Walton NY is 142 miles northwest of New York City, traveling along NY 17 to Roscoe and then NY 206 into town.
- Hobart NY is 33 miles northeast of Walton along route NY 10
