Grahamsville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grahamsville
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Hamlet and CDP
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Grahamsville, October 2007
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 Grahamsville
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Sullivan |
| Elevation | 968 ft (295 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 951468 |
Grahamsville is a small community called a hamlet in Sullivan County, New York, United States. It is located where two main roads, NY 42 and 55, meet. Grahamsville is part of the Town of Neversink.
This hamlet is close to the western end of the Rondout Reservoir. It is also the community furthest south within the beautiful Catskill Park. Grahamsville uses the ZIP Code 12740 and the 985 telephone exchange in the 845 area code. The elevation of Grahamsville is 968 feet above sea level, and it is in the Eastern Time Zone.
Contents
History of Grahamsville
For a long time, Grahamsville was known as a "dry town." This meant that selling drinks with alcohol was not allowed. However, on December 17, 2015, this rule changed. For the first time in over 80 years, alcohol was legally served at the Eureka Market & Café in Grahamsville.
The area was not settled permanently until after the American Revolutionary War. Before that, there were concerns about raids from Native American groups. The hamlet actually gets its name from a leader of a Continental Army unit who was killed nearby in 1778.
The way land was owned in some parts of the Hudson Valley also made it harder for people to settle here until the 1840s. The historic buildings in Grahamsville, like the church and homes, grew up around the western end of an old stage road. This road is now part of Route 55 and led to Wawarsing in Ulster County.
Community Life
The main part of Grahamsville is found along Route 55 and Chestnut Creek, west of Route 42. Here you will find important buildings like the town hall, post office, and fire department. There are also some local businesses and homes nearby.
Just east of the main junction, you'll find the Tri-Valley Central School. This area also includes the Grahamsville Historic District, which is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means its buildings are important for their history. Other buildings listed on the National Register include the C. Burton Hotel and the Levitz Family Farm. The Greenfield Preparative Meeting House was added to this list in 2010. Grahamsville is the largest developed area in the Town of Neversink.
Grahamsville Little World's Fair
Grahamsville is famous for hosting the Grahamsville Little World's Fair. This fun event happens every year and features exciting rides, many different vendors, and special events like "Grahamsville Idol." This county fair has been held almost every year since 1878. The only times it didn't happen were in 1928, when a flood damaged the bridge to the fairgrounds, and in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic stopped large gatherings.
Protecting the Water Supply
A special office for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was built in Grahamsville. This office helps keep the Rondout Reservoir and Neversink Reservoirs safe and secure. These reservoirs are a very important source of drinking water for New York City. Because of this, it's crucial to protect the environment in this area from any kind of threat.
