Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel
Encyclopedia
Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel was a resort in the Catskill Mountains
in the Town of Liberty
, near the village of Liberty
, New York
. It is part of the Borscht Belt
. After decades of activity and notable guests, it closed its doors in 1986.
to Ferndale in Sullivan County
in the Catskill Mountains in the 1900s. There he rented rooms to visitors from New York City. His wife, Malke, operated the kosher kitchen, and Jennie Grossinger (1891-1972), his daughter, was the hostess. They called their home Longbrook House. In 1919, they sold it and purchased a bigger house on 100 acre (0.404686 km²), calling it Grossinger's Terrace Hill House.
In 1952, Grossinger's earned a place in the history of skiing
as the first resort in the world to use artificial snow. By the time Jennie died in 1972, the hotel had grown to 35 buildings on 1200 acres (4.9 km²) that served 150,000 guests a year. It had its own airstrip and post office. During his fighting days Rocky Marciano
would train at the resort. But in the late 1970s and 1980s, resorts like Grossinger's or the Concord
could no longer attract younger guests. Grossinger's closed in 1986, but the golf course is still open as of 2011. Louis Cappelli
once planned to open a "luxury boutique hotel" on the property, with 200 rooms, a spa, and various other amenities. It seems that now, after years of waiting, it may finally happen. He has said that the first phase will be to complete renovations on The Concord Resort Hotel
, which began in mid 2008, then Grossinger's would follow.
Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...
in the Town of Liberty
Liberty (town), New York
Liberty is a town in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 9,632 at the 2000 census.The Town of Liberty contains a village of Liberty. The village is bisected by state route 52 and 55, and is crossed by New York State Route 17....
, near the village of Liberty
Liberty (village), New York
Liberty is a village in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 3,975 at the 2000 census.The Village of Liberty is centrally located in the Town of Liberty and is adjacent to New York Route 17.- History :...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It is part of the Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt, or Jewish Alps, is a colloquial term for the mostly defunct summer resorts of the Catskill Mountains in parts of Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties in upstate New York that were a popular vacation spot for New York City Jews from the 1920s through the 1960s.-Name:The name comes from...
. After decades of activity and notable guests, it closed its doors in 1986.
History
Asher Selig Grossinger moved from New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Ferndale in Sullivan County
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
in the Catskill Mountains in the 1900s. There he rented rooms to visitors from New York City. His wife, Malke, operated the kosher kitchen, and Jennie Grossinger (1891-1972), his daughter, was the hostess. They called their home Longbrook House. In 1919, they sold it and purchased a bigger house on 100 acre (0.404686 km²), calling it Grossinger's Terrace Hill House.
In 1952, Grossinger's earned a place in the history of skiing
History of skiing
Skiing, or traveling over snow on wooden runners, has a recorded history of almost five millennia.- Ancient history :The first hints to the existence of skis are on 4500 to 5000 year old rock drawings, e.g. at Rødøy in Norway or at Steinkjer , which depict a man on skis holding a stick...
as the first resort in the world to use artificial snow. By the time Jennie died in 1972, the hotel had grown to 35 buildings on 1200 acres (4.9 km²) that served 150,000 guests a year. It had its own airstrip and post office. During his fighting days Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
would train at the resort. But in the late 1970s and 1980s, resorts like Grossinger's or the Concord
Concord Resort Hotel
The Concord Resort Hotel was a world-famous destination for visitors to the so-called Borscht Belt part of the Catskills, known for its large resort industry in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. Located in Kiamesha Lake, New York, the Concord was the largest resort in the region until its closing in 1998...
could no longer attract younger guests. Grossinger's closed in 1986, but the golf course is still open as of 2011. Louis Cappelli
Louis R. Cappelli
Louis R. Cappelli is a real estate developer most active in Westchester County, New York. Cappelli has constructed, designed and developed more than twenty million square feet of mixed use, retail, residential, office, medical and parking facilities throughout the northeast, with a portfolio value...
once planned to open a "luxury boutique hotel" on the property, with 200 rooms, a spa, and various other amenities. It seems that now, after years of waiting, it may finally happen. He has said that the first phase will be to complete renovations on The Concord Resort Hotel
Concord Resort Hotel
The Concord Resort Hotel was a world-famous destination for visitors to the so-called Borscht Belt part of the Catskills, known for its large resort industry in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. Located in Kiamesha Lake, New York, the Concord was the largest resort in the region until its closing in 1998...
, which began in mid 2008, then Grossinger's would follow.