Not sure if this is the right forum, but I am interested in knowing more about the history of the Lake Awosting area (having worked at Camp Awosting for quite a few years).
Anyone know if there are old camp buildings/cabins still in there around the lake?
Remnants of original Camp Awosting in the state park?
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campawostingguy
Camp Awosting, the oldest continuously operating summer camp in the US, was there from 1900 through at least the teens.
The camp is still in operation in Morris, CT (awosting.com). They have ancient filmstrips of the original campsite as well as many photos and documents from the camp's founders. Beautiful stuff of the waterfalls, etc.
The camp is still in operation in Morris, CT (awosting.com). They have ancient filmstrips of the original campsite as well as many photos and documents from the camp's founders. Beautiful stuff of the waterfalls, etc.
Camp Awosting
If you are still looking for Camp Awosting information, suggest researching books by Fred Fried. I am told he has written several books on Shawangung history. These books should be at the Wallkill library, at least available thru there
Re Camp Awosting
You may be thinking of Marc Fried who writes about the history and nature of the area? I haven't read all his work but I don't think he wrote about the Camp.
I recall that as late as the 70's there cabins a bit up and off Lake Awosting on the north east side (between the carriage road and the Lake). I think that was Camp Awosting, no?
In the early 70s, when the State first took over the Awosting area (a good time before they bought the Minnewaska area), they briefly and sporadically used those cabins for retreats mostly social services and a drug rehab program. Eventually the cabins were torn down for safety (late 70s/early 80s?).
Paul
I recall that as late as the 70's there cabins a bit up and off Lake Awosting on the north east side (between the carriage road and the Lake). I think that was Camp Awosting, no?
In the early 70s, when the State first took over the Awosting area (a good time before they bought the Minnewaska area), they briefly and sporadically used those cabins for retreats mostly social services and a drug rehab program. Eventually the cabins were torn down for safety (late 70s/early 80s?).
Paul
Camp Awosting p.s.
The cabin on the north west side is now a ranger cabin and has been for a long time. I don't know if it was originally built by the Camp Awosting people but it is not that near the location of the previous Camp and is in a different style. Maybe it was built by the Hotel to service guests visitng Awosting?
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Old Girl Scout
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:56 pm
In the early or mid seventies, with boyfriend and dog, I found a group of small disintegrating wooden buildings and what appeared to be tent platforms, at the end of a spur carriage road that begins near the ranger's station (which was boarded up then) and heads toward Stony Kill Falls. Not close to the lake. I always assumed that it was Camp Awosting. The carriage road dwindled at the campsite, and a footpath continued to Stony Kill.
Along the loop carriage road on that side of the lake, there were also remnants of several older stone foundations, which were probably part of the camp as well. I don't know if they can still be found. On the opposite side of the lake there was a big barn and a few abandoned houses. One had stairs going right down to the water. We figured it would've been a camp director's house. There was no one around then to shoo us away. We enjoyed exploring everything, and swam often, wherever we wanted. It took so long to walk there (no mountain bikes) but we had all the time in the world. There were favorite places to revisit, and always another trail to explore.
Along the loop carriage road on that side of the lake, there were also remnants of several older stone foundations, which were probably part of the camp as well. I don't know if they can still be found. On the opposite side of the lake there was a big barn and a few abandoned houses. One had stairs going right down to the water. We figured it would've been a camp director's house. There was no one around then to shoo us away. We enjoyed exploring everything, and swam often, wherever we wanted. It took so long to walk there (no mountain bikes) but we had all the time in the world. There were favorite places to revisit, and always another trail to explore.
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Suzanne Phillips
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:48 pm
This is to answer some of the questions about the buildings that were around Awosting Lake. If you have one of the historical trail maps you can see where “The Cottages”, The resevoir and Camp Awosting were. If you look closely you can also see some buildings on the east side. The historic maps are on sale by the Lake Minnewaska Historical Society on this site in the gift shop.
The “Cottages” and the reservoir were on the northwest side about ¾ of the way to the end of the lake - close to the farthest end from Lake Minnewaska. These are on the map and I remember as a kid walking among the ruins and listening to my father explain how the reservoir worked to me. They have been gone a long, long time. You may find the foundations and remnants of the reservoir.
The camp was closer to the Minnewaska end of Awosting with a bit of a sandy beach in front. Camp Awosting operated here from 1900 until around 1942. There were a number of buildings including a large mess hall as well as athletic fields. I have a copy of the 1942 newsletter that says “Awosting will open its 43rd season, God willing, July 1st”. When I get a chance I’ll scan it and put it on the site. It was a camp for boys. I believe this camp for boys moved to Morris CT (Awosting.com).
In 1947 Walter Howe and James Donavan, of the Mohonk School tried to run the camp but it never made it through the 1947 season.
From 1949 thru 1966 the camp was changed to a boys and girls camp and was run by Mel Archard and John Harrison. They also taught at the Campus School in New Paltz. They named it Camp Laurel and it moved to Echo Lake, Maine in 1966 (camplaurel.com).
In 1967 the camp was used as the venue for the Mid-Atlantic Music Center.
From 1968 through 1970 it was used for the Awosting Retreat led by Jessie Morris.
In 1971 7000 acres of the Minnewaska property including Awosting Lake became the first part of the Minnewaska State Park. The Park used the little building near the split in the road as an office.
Farther away from the camp – take the split to the right and later the split to the left – is another cottage. This one is not on the historic map since it was built after the map was made. My father Ken Phillips built it in 1949 for the Macmahons, who rented it from Minnewaska for many years. Later it was rented to a number of other people and we used it as a family retreat.
On the other side of the lake was what I always knew as the Noble Cottage although before William and Gertrude Noble leased it, it was known as the McElhone Cottage. There was also a barn where periodically in the 1960’s the employees of Wildmere or Cliff House – whomever won Water Sports Day – would have a party for the winners.
Near the Noble Cottage and across the road you may be able to find the old road that went around Overlook Point. It goes off Awosting road here and then back on before you get to the split that goes up to Hamilton Point and Castle Point.
Email me at suzannephillips@bellsouth.net if you have more questions and I’ll try to answer. When I get a chance I’ll post some scans of Camp Awosting and Camp Laurel memorabilia.
The “Cottages” and the reservoir were on the northwest side about ¾ of the way to the end of the lake - close to the farthest end from Lake Minnewaska. These are on the map and I remember as a kid walking among the ruins and listening to my father explain how the reservoir worked to me. They have been gone a long, long time. You may find the foundations and remnants of the reservoir.
The camp was closer to the Minnewaska end of Awosting with a bit of a sandy beach in front. Camp Awosting operated here from 1900 until around 1942. There were a number of buildings including a large mess hall as well as athletic fields. I have a copy of the 1942 newsletter that says “Awosting will open its 43rd season, God willing, July 1st”. When I get a chance I’ll scan it and put it on the site. It was a camp for boys. I believe this camp for boys moved to Morris CT (Awosting.com).
In 1947 Walter Howe and James Donavan, of the Mohonk School tried to run the camp but it never made it through the 1947 season.
From 1949 thru 1966 the camp was changed to a boys and girls camp and was run by Mel Archard and John Harrison. They also taught at the Campus School in New Paltz. They named it Camp Laurel and it moved to Echo Lake, Maine in 1966 (camplaurel.com).
In 1967 the camp was used as the venue for the Mid-Atlantic Music Center.
From 1968 through 1970 it was used for the Awosting Retreat led by Jessie Morris.
In 1971 7000 acres of the Minnewaska property including Awosting Lake became the first part of the Minnewaska State Park. The Park used the little building near the split in the road as an office.
Farther away from the camp – take the split to the right and later the split to the left – is another cottage. This one is not on the historic map since it was built after the map was made. My father Ken Phillips built it in 1949 for the Macmahons, who rented it from Minnewaska for many years. Later it was rented to a number of other people and we used it as a family retreat.
On the other side of the lake was what I always knew as the Noble Cottage although before William and Gertrude Noble leased it, it was known as the McElhone Cottage. There was also a barn where periodically in the 1960’s the employees of Wildmere or Cliff House – whomever won Water Sports Day – would have a party for the winners.
Near the Noble Cottage and across the road you may be able to find the old road that went around Overlook Point. It goes off Awosting road here and then back on before you get to the split that goes up to Hamilton Point and Castle Point.
Email me at suzannephillips@bellsouth.net if you have more questions and I’ll try to answer. When I get a chance I’ll post some scans of Camp Awosting and Camp Laurel memorabilia.
Suzanne Phillips
Lake Minnewaska Historical Society, LLC
Lake Minnewaska Historical Society, LLC
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Sharon Saracino
Re: Remnants of original Camp Awosting in the state park?
I bought a great book called "The Camp Laurel Chronicles", by Henry J. Veix. He was a camp counselor there for a number of years and not only did I love to read the descriptions of the camp itself, I enjoyed the stories about some of the things that went on in the camp. I recommend it to anyone who loves the history of the Shawangunk Mts.