Wurtsboro, Spring glen & highview

MARKER LOCATION:

Mamakating Historical Society

136 Summitville Road

Wurtsboro, NY 12790

MARKER TEXT:
In Mamakating, the communities of Wurtsboro, Spring Glen, and Highview formed the Borscht Belt’s southeastern gateway. Shaped bLy the “Liberty Highway” which evolved into Route 17, Wurtsboro grew into a travel hub. Hotels such as the Shawanga Lodge catered to Christian guests; in 1917, the Lodge advertised “No Hebrews Accommodated,” reflecting the antisemitism that barred Jews from many public spaces.  

By 1921, the Shawanga changed ownership to the Dan and Atlass families—and operated for three generations welcoming Jewish guests. The resort offered sweeping mountain views and featured the Starlight Theater, which hosted open-air performances by Alan King, Joey Adams, Leslie Uggams, Molly Picon, and the Ink Spots.  

In Spring Glen, the Homowack Lodge was named after Homowack Kill, a Native American term meaning “where water runs through.” What began as a farm and boarding house grew into a mid-century resort that operated year-round, offering skiing and a bowling alley. Comedian Freddie Roman began his career there. 

These communities are remembered for about 26 hotels and 50 bungalow colonies, including Bill’s Vegetarian, Blue Paradise, Boris’, Eagle’s Nest, Hillcrest, Mamakating Inn, Overlook, and Shawangunk Mountain House. 

DEDICATION SPEAKERS: 

Peter Goodman: Town of Mamakating Supervisor: Welcome remarks 

Marisa Scheinfeld: Introduction 

Isaac Jeffreys: Marker Unveiling 

Judi Kirschenbaum: Daughter of comedian Freddie Roman 

Gary Dan is a historian and fourth-generation descendant of the Shawanga Lodge family. His great-grandfather, Abraham Dan, originally Danashevski, arrived in the United States in 1906 and purchased Shawanga Lodge in 1921. Gary has done a wonderful job preserving his family’s history through Shawanga.com, an extraordinary archive of photographs, family stories, and historical materials. It’s a real gift to anyone interested in the history of the Borscht Belt. 

Ron Konzen: Ron's family history is closely tied to the Homowack. Ron’s great-grandfather, Elias, was the brother of Harry Fatt, who, along with his wife Yetta, established the resort as Fatt’s Cottages