WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
This is apparently a lithograph of the hamlet of Samsonville, Ulster County in 1855 which Historian Harry Haring said was “the most important town in the entire Catskills” in its heyday. The largest employer was Henry Samson’s tannery that employed over 70 men! He was also a Brigadier General in the NYS Militia and Samsonville’s 1st postmaster in 1849. In the foreground you can see the old tannery. If you look closely, you can make out the long narrow pole barn housing stacked hemlock bark used to tan hides into leather. Not seen is Shurter’s gristmill and sawmill. A gristmill was a big deal to have back in the day and could be used to ground buckwheat, wheat, and corn. In the background is Mombaccus (left) and High Point Mountain (right). Apparently High Point used to be called Samson Mountain to honor the Tanner. Today, Samson Mountain recognizes another mountain further west above the Rondout Creek. The “most important town in the entire Catskills” lost its post office in 1965, making Samsonville a true tannery town.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association