Parksville

The Palace House was a popular Hotel & Resort, from 1920 thru the mid- 1940s. It was located in Parksville, New York, a stone’s throw from Liberty. The hotel and farm play an integral part of the Simmons Family, in its overall history. All of the Simmons’ either visit(ed) there, or for some – worked there.

People came from all over, primarily from New York City and New Jersey. Originally the Catskills was a place known for its fresh air and relaxing lifestyle as people got away from the hustle and bustle and unbreathable air of the city and ghettos. (i.e., The Lower East Side on NYC).

People returned to the Palace House, year after year. Many a “moniker” was placed on the Palace House, such as: “The House that grew with Love”,and “The House that Satisfies”. Do not forget, my favorite – “It’s the Place to Be”.

My Grandfather, George Simmons, was the proprietor. His wife, my Grandmother, Ruth Augusta Levitt Simmons, was the “chief cook and bottle washer”. My father, Jack Simmons, waited on plenty of tables for dinner. Along with being Chief Bellman, he was all around go-fer. The families’ double duties of farmer and hotel operator, made for interesting times in the then “World Renowned” Catskill Mountains of Sullivan County, New York.

George and my dad worked the farm, arising early, usually 4 AM, or earlier, to milk the cows – first by hand, then as time went on – then got automated milking machines, and then do the farm chores. They milked the cows twice a day – at least 20, however I cannot find an exact amount. Among the few farm hands beside George and Jack were George’s brother Jerry Simmons, and my father’s cousin on his mother’s side, Jack Levitt. The Milk was delivered to the local “Dairy Lea” Creamery in Liberty, a short drive away. 

Gus made breakfast for the guests as well as the farm hands. Jerry Simmons’s wife, Bessie at one point helped Gus cook. There is a freehand drawing which my father Jack did in 2009, which shows, there were lots of activities at the Palace House. Activities included farm tasks, as well as recreational activities. 

The summers were filled with relatives and other patrons from New York and New Jersey. I have over 300 pictures from the Palace house, ranging in years from 1920s to the mid- 1940s. I have a couple of videos as well. Some of the patrons include members of the Simmons family, and on George’s wife’s side – Gus – The Levitt’s. My mother and her family (The Ginsberg’s) patronized the Palace House in the early 1940s, and that is when my dad met my mom. (He carried her bags to her room, and the rest is history). 

As time went on and the Palace House got more and more popular, and they added on to the main building. They eventually had 35 rooms, and hot and cold running water. With the additions, the Palace House accommodated up to 100 guests. They hired more people to help Gus do the cooking and chores. We know in addition to Gus cooking, other relatives notably her sister-in-law, Gussie Levitt, cooked as well. We also know that at one-point Bessie Simmons help cook. One Picture I have of the Palace House notes that a cook was “Mrs. Margolin”.

A lot was going on there. “The Casino” – the entertainment venue, (nomenclature for that period) located across the street from the hotel, was always packed at night with dancing and music, thanks to “Blackie and the Band”. 

During the days on the vast lawns, there were tons of activities...handball, softball, basketball, other games, just sitting around and “kibitzing”, and playing cards…. This was the relaxing life of the Great Catskills during the 1920s thru the 1940s.

Around the mid – to late 1940s, George sold the Palace House and as I noted earlier went partners in The Garden Resort, a property located in nearby Ferndale. George partnered with Sarah Kushner, then a person named Blumstein. I cannot find any information on either of his partners. I literally have 3 pictures of the Garden Resort. I do not why there are not more. Perhaps at this point my father left the farm, and moved to Paterson and joined my mother’s family textile business, and perhaps they were not visiting there that much? If anyone has any information about the Garden  Resort, please contact the Marker Project. I know for a short time when George originally bought the Garden Resort, my father, Jack still worked the farm.