Fleischmanns, New York
Encyclopedia
Fleischmanns is a village in Delaware County
, New York
, United States. The population was 351 at the 2000 census. Fleischmanns is in the town of Middletown
.
. To reach this mountainous place they traveled by horse and wagon (and later by stagecoach) over rough, dusty roads in summer and rutted, muddy paths in winter. Eventually, the road was resurfaced with planks from Kingston
to Pine Hill
with the cost of maintenance covered by tollgates along the way. Still, it was a difficult journey until the railroad reached the village on May 23, 1870.
Fleischmanns was initially named Griffin Corners in honor of Matthew Griffin, a prominent lawyer (he was admitted to the bar in 1851) and businessman (he owned a store and later a hotel). He also helped to secure the village's first post office in 1848. Griffin died January 11, 1903.
Originally part of the towns of Woodstock and Rochester
in Ulster County, the area known today as Fleischmanns became part of Middletown
in Delaware County
on March 3, 1789. At that time vast tracts of land were owned by a few individuals and farmed by tenants. All 8000 acres (32.4 km²) of Fleischmanns land was owned by General Henry Armstrong. The Anti-Rent War
, an uprising of Catskill tenant farmers in 1844-1845, led to reforms which put an end to the unfair lease system, and the area began to grow under private ownership.
According to available local sources, it was in 1883 that Charles Louis Fleischmann (born near Budapest, Hungary, educated in Vienna
and Prague
, founder of the Fleischmann Company famous for its yeast and whiskey), bought property west of the village near the Ulster & Delaware railroad station from John M. Blish. Mr. Blish, an astute local businessman, sold the property at a cheap price to the Fleischmann family recognizing that a summer colony would bring prosperity. Soon summer families built beautiful summer homes abounding with porches, turrets, and terraces and costing $30,000-$40,000 (an enormous sum in those days). They also constructed a deer park, a riding stable, a heated pool filled with spring water, and a trout pond, all luxuries unheard of by the people in this valley. The Fleischmann family even outfitted the Fleischmann-Griffin Corners band with uniforms so that the band could greet the family's private railroad cars at the station.
From 1890-1912, the present community actually went by two separate names. From the east end of the village to Division Street (now Bridge Street) was Griffin Corners and from Division Street to the Ulster and Delaware Railroad
was Fleischmann (no "s"). When the village incorporated in 1913, it became Fleischmanns.
Fleischmanns Park, which dominated the north side of Wagner Avenue, was a gift to the village in May 1914 from Julius Fleischmann
, son of Charles. Among the many interests of the Fleischmann family was major league baseball. The park, formerly known as the Mountain Athletic Club, was where their players came to get in shape before the start of the regular season. One player in particular stood out--Honus Wagner
. Wagner was known to his fans as the Flying Dutchman and was admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Stipulations of Julius' gift were and still remain: that it always be used as a park and athletic grounds, that it always be kept in good condition, that it never be sold or sublet and always be of free access to the public. However, in 1934 the village obtained from the heirs a release from the word "free" so that for certain events a fee could be charged.
It was during this period that the village began to grow. Many rich and famous people built summer homes here, among them: Herbert Lehman (Governor of New York, 1932), the Leibman family (owners of Leibman Brewery), and Anton Seidl
(conductor of the Metropolitan opera). Nearby on Highmount were the palatial summer homes of coloratura soprano Amelita Galli-Curci
and Shakespearean actress Julia Marlowe
. Fleischmanns was also home to Gertrude Berg
who portrayed the beloved Molly Goldberg on radio and early television.
Wagner Avenue, the principal residential street, named after the famous ball player, had many lovely homes which were built in the late 19th century. This street, in particular, retains much of its Victorian charm. A note of interest: Attorney Eugene Howe aspired to become governor of this state and had a balcony built on the second floor of his home, the Whitehall. It was from here that he intended to make his speeches. Although Howe never made it to the governor's mansion, his balcony remains to this day.
Lake Switzerland, just north of the village, was built for boating and swimming in the summer and for the harvesting of ice during the winter. It was the brain child of Charles H. Vermilyea and Theodore Floyd. Construction was started in 1906 using teams of horses and oxen for power. The official opening was just one year later when the gate was closed and the lake allowed to fill. However, the dam leaked, and the following year repairs were made. A few years later, townspeople, fearing dam failure would inundate the community, insisted that the dam be lowered by four feet to decrease the pressure against it.
On Main Street, the Skene Memorial Library was founded by celebrated surgeon Alexander Skene
and his wife, who were summer residents of Highmount for many years. It was through the influence of Mrs. Skene that a $5,000 donation was obtained from Andrew Carnegie
, making construction of the free public library possible. The cornerstone was laid in November 1901. The two war memorials located in front of the library honor those who fought in World War I & II (dedicated Memorial Day, 1954) and those who fought in Korea and Vietnam (dedicated Memorial Day, 1987).
Prior to 1909, the only school was a one-room schoolhouse located on the Old Halcott Road. Increased enrollment made it necessary to add on more rooms and eventually necessitated the erection of Griffin-Fleischmanns High School on upper Wagner Avenue. The name of that school was changed to Fleischmanns High in 1928. After consolidation with Margaretville in the fall of 1969, grades 1-4 remained in the Fleischmanns building. Declining enrollment in the district forced the closing of this building in June 1984. Put on the auction block in 1985, it was purchased by a local businessman (and former student) who converted the old wooden part of the structure into apartments. An art deco
brick addition dates from 1935 and currently houses a day center of the Delaware County Association for Retarded Children. The school's gymnasium remains intact and is still used for concerts and public functions.
Fleischmanns began to prosper as a summer boarding colony in the late 19th century. The mountains, the fresh air, the spring water, and the time factor involved in reaching the mountains from the city led to a building boom. As more boarders came, more homes and hotels were built or enlarged and they all competed intensely for tourists. It is said that during the 1940s, the permanent population was 500; but by the Fourth of July, there would be 10,000 in town. Of the fifty some great lodging places within the village and surrounding area, only a few remain: The Regis, Mathes Hotel (Kosher Plaza), Alpine, Lorraine, Fleischmanns Hotel (Roberts' Auction), Meinstein Lodge (Highland Fling Inn), and the Palace Hotel. However, Fleischmanns is currently experiencing a resurgence as seekers of mountain air and recreation are restoring old homes as well as building new ones.
a short distance west of the Ulster County
line
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 1.47% is water.
of 2000, there were 351 people, 143 households, and 94 families residing in the village. The population density
was 525.1 people per square mile (202.3/km²). There were 287 housing units at an average density of 429.3 per square mile (165.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 94.30% White, 1.42% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.28% from other races
, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.66% of the population.
There were 143 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $28,500, and the median income for a family was $37,708. Males had a median income of $20,208 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $14,914. About 18.4% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Fleischmanns Community Church (United Methodist)
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
, 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...
, United States. The population was 351 at the 2000 census. Fleischmanns is in the town of Middletown
Middletown, Delaware County, New York
Middletown is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 4,051 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middletown is in the southeast part of the county.- History :...
.
History
Early settlers of this area came from Germany, England, Holland and IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. To reach this mountainous place they traveled by horse and wagon (and later by stagecoach) over rough, dusty roads in summer and rutted, muddy paths in winter. Eventually, the road was resurfaced with planks from Kingston
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
to Pine Hill
Pine Hill, New York
Pine Hill is a hamlet in the western part of the town of Shandaken in Ulster County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 308.- History :...
with the cost of maintenance covered by tollgates along the way. Still, it was a difficult journey until the railroad reached the village on May 23, 1870.
Fleischmanns was initially named Griffin Corners in honor of Matthew Griffin, a prominent lawyer (he was admitted to the bar in 1851) and businessman (he owned a store and later a hotel). He also helped to secure the village's first post office in 1848. Griffin died January 11, 1903.
Originally part of the towns of Woodstock and Rochester
Rochester, Ulster County, New York
Rochester is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 7,018 at the 2000 census.The Town of Rochester is an interior town located near the center of Ulster County...
in Ulster County, the area known today as Fleischmanns became part of Middletown
Middletown, Delaware County, New York
Middletown is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 4,051 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middletown is in the southeast part of the county.- History :...
in Delaware County
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
on March 3, 1789. At that time vast tracts of land were owned by a few individuals and farmed by tenants. All 8000 acres (32.4 km²) of Fleischmanns land was owned by General Henry Armstrong. The Anti-Rent War
Anti-Rent War
The Anti-Rent War was a tenants' revolt in upstate New York during the early 19th century, beginning with the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer III in 1839....
, an uprising of Catskill tenant farmers in 1844-1845, led to reforms which put an end to the unfair lease system, and the area began to grow under private ownership.
According to available local sources, it was in 1883 that Charles Louis Fleischmann (born near Budapest, Hungary, educated in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, founder of the Fleischmann Company famous for its yeast and whiskey), bought property west of the village near the Ulster & Delaware railroad station from John M. Blish. Mr. Blish, an astute local businessman, sold the property at a cheap price to the Fleischmann family recognizing that a summer colony would bring prosperity. Soon summer families built beautiful summer homes abounding with porches, turrets, and terraces and costing $30,000-$40,000 (an enormous sum in those days). They also constructed a deer park, a riding stable, a heated pool filled with spring water, and a trout pond, all luxuries unheard of by the people in this valley. The Fleischmann family even outfitted the Fleischmann-Griffin Corners band with uniforms so that the band could greet the family's private railroad cars at the station.
From 1890-1912, the present community actually went by two separate names. From the east end of the village to Division Street (now Bridge Street) was Griffin Corners and from Division Street to the Ulster and Delaware Railroad
Ulster and Delaware Railroad
The Ulster and Delaware Railroad Company was a Class I railroad located in New York State, headquartered in Rondout and founded in 1866. It was often advertised as "The Only All-Rail Route To the Catskill Mountains." At its greatest extent, the U&D ran from Kingston Point, on the Hudson River,...
was Fleischmann (no "s"). When the village incorporated in 1913, it became Fleischmanns.
Fleischmanns Park, which dominated the north side of Wagner Avenue, was a gift to the village in May 1914 from Julius Fleischmann
Julius Fleischmann
Julius Fleischmann was a Jewish American politician, former mayor of Cincinnati and son of Charles Louis Fleischmann.-Biography:...
, son of Charles. Among the many interests of the Fleischmann family was major league baseball. The park, formerly known as the Mountain Athletic Club, was where their players came to get in shape before the start of the regular season. One player in particular stood out--Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
. Wagner was known to his fans as the Flying Dutchman and was admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Stipulations of Julius' gift were and still remain: that it always be used as a park and athletic grounds, that it always be kept in good condition, that it never be sold or sublet and always be of free access to the public. However, in 1934 the village obtained from the heirs a release from the word "free" so that for certain events a fee could be charged.
It was during this period that the village began to grow. Many rich and famous people built summer homes here, among them: Herbert Lehman (Governor of New York, 1932), the Leibman family (owners of Leibman Brewery), and Anton Seidl
Anton Seidl
Anton Seidl was a Hungarian conductor.-Biography:He was born at Pest, Hungary. He began the study of music at a very early age, and when only seven years old could pick out at the piano melodies which he had heard at the theatre...
(conductor of the Metropolitan opera). Nearby on Highmount were the palatial summer homes of coloratura soprano Amelita Galli-Curci
Amelita Galli-Curci
Amelita Galli-Curci was an Italian operatic soprano. She was one of the best-known coloratura singers of the early 20th century with her gramophone records selling in large numbers.-Early life:...
and Shakespearean actress Julia Marlowe
Julia Marlowe
Julia Marlowe was an English-born American actress known for her interpretations of William Shakespeare.-Life and career:...
. Fleischmanns was also home to Gertrude Berg
Gertrude Berg
Gertrude Berg was an American actress and screenwriter. A pioneer of classic radio, she was one of the first women to create, write, produce and star in a long-running hit when she premiered her serial comedy-drama The Rise of the Goldbergs , later known as The Goldbergs.-Career:Berg was born...
who portrayed the beloved Molly Goldberg on radio and early television.
Wagner Avenue, the principal residential street, named after the famous ball player, had many lovely homes which were built in the late 19th century. This street, in particular, retains much of its Victorian charm. A note of interest: Attorney Eugene Howe aspired to become governor of this state and had a balcony built on the second floor of his home, the Whitehall. It was from here that he intended to make his speeches. Although Howe never made it to the governor's mansion, his balcony remains to this day.
Lake Switzerland, just north of the village, was built for boating and swimming in the summer and for the harvesting of ice during the winter. It was the brain child of Charles H. Vermilyea and Theodore Floyd. Construction was started in 1906 using teams of horses and oxen for power. The official opening was just one year later when the gate was closed and the lake allowed to fill. However, the dam leaked, and the following year repairs were made. A few years later, townspeople, fearing dam failure would inundate the community, insisted that the dam be lowered by four feet to decrease the pressure against it.
On Main Street, the Skene Memorial Library was founded by celebrated surgeon Alexander Skene
Alexander Skene
Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene was a British gynaecologist who described what became known as the Skene's glands.-Biography:...
and his wife, who were summer residents of Highmount for many years. It was through the influence of Mrs. Skene that a $5,000 donation was obtained from Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
, making construction of the free public library possible. The cornerstone was laid in November 1901. The two war memorials located in front of the library honor those who fought in World War I & II (dedicated Memorial Day, 1954) and those who fought in Korea and Vietnam (dedicated Memorial Day, 1987).
Prior to 1909, the only school was a one-room schoolhouse located on the Old Halcott Road. Increased enrollment made it necessary to add on more rooms and eventually necessitated the erection of Griffin-Fleischmanns High School on upper Wagner Avenue. The name of that school was changed to Fleischmanns High in 1928. After consolidation with Margaretville in the fall of 1969, grades 1-4 remained in the Fleischmanns building. Declining enrollment in the district forced the closing of this building in June 1984. Put on the auction block in 1985, it was purchased by a local businessman (and former student) who converted the old wooden part of the structure into apartments. An art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
brick addition dates from 1935 and currently houses a day center of the Delaware County Association for Retarded Children. The school's gymnasium remains intact and is still used for concerts and public functions.
Fleischmanns began to prosper as a summer boarding colony in the late 19th century. The mountains, the fresh air, the spring water, and the time factor involved in reaching the mountains from the city led to a building boom. As more boarders came, more homes and hotels were built or enlarged and they all competed intensely for tourists. It is said that during the 1940s, the permanent population was 500; but by the Fourth of July, there would be 10,000 in town. Of the fifty some great lodging places within the village and surrounding area, only a few remain: The Regis, Mathes Hotel (Kosher Plaza), Alpine, Lorraine, Fleischmanns Hotel (Roberts' Auction), Meinstein Lodge (Highland Fling Inn), and the Palace Hotel. However, Fleischmanns is currently experiencing a resurgence as seekers of mountain air and recreation are restoring old homes as well as building new ones.
Geography
Fleischmanns is located on the north side of NY 28New York State Route 28
New York State Route 28 is a state highway extending for in the shape of a "C" between the Hudson Valley city of Kingston and southern Warren County in the U.S. state of New York. Along the way, it intersects several major routes, including Interstate 88 , U.S. Route 20 , and the...
a short distance west of the Ulster County
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
line
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 1.47% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 351 people, 143 households, and 94 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 525.1 people per square mile (202.3/km²). There were 287 housing units at an average density of 429.3 per square mile (165.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 94.30% White, 1.42% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.28% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.66% of the population.
There were 143 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $28,500, and the median income for a family was $37,708. Males had a median income of $20,208 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $14,914. About 18.4% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Houses of worship
- Congregation B'nai Israel SynagogueCongregation B'nai Israel SynagogueCongregation Bnai Israel Synagogue is located on Wagner Avenue in Fleischmanns, New York, United States. It is a wooden building dating to the 1920s, built two years after local farmers founded the congregation....
Fleischmanns Community Church (United Methodist)