Mountain Dale, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mountaindale, New York
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Hamlet and CDP
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Downtown Mountaindale
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 Mountaindale, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Sullivan |
| Elevation | 1,010 ft (310 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 957939 |
Mountaindale is a small community called a hamlet in Sullivan County, New York. It is located in the town of Fallsburg and sits about 1,010 feet (308 meters) above sea level.
Contents
History of Mountaindale
Mountaindale used to be a quiet farming area. Things started to change a lot when the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad arrived in December 1880. At the same time, the local post office changed its name from Sandburg(h) to Mountain Dale.
Around this period, some farmhouses began to act more like hotels. Starting in 1899, the community's makeup began to shift. It changed from mostly non-Jewish residents to mostly Jewish residents.
Life During the Great Depression
By the time of the Great Depression in 1929, many Jewish aid groups helped families. They moved Jewish families from New York City to farms in Mountaindale. These families often struggled to make a living in the city due to health issues. The idea was to help them grow their own food on small farms. However, this sometimes meant trading city struggles for very difficult country life.
Helen Brown, who was the principal of Mountaindale High School in 1931, shared stories about the tough times. She recalled children wearing the same long underwear from October to April. One sad story was about a young man on the basketball team. He broke his leg during a game in New York City. His leg did not heal because his diet was very poor. It was mostly just flour and water.
When the principal and her husband learned that many players faced similar poverty, they started helping. They began feeding the basketball team every Friday evening at their home. This helped make sure the players got the food they needed.
Mountaindale is also known for the "Yeshiva Zichron Mayir of Mountaindale." This is a special school founded by Rabbi Yehuda Davis in 1960 in Brooklyn, New York. The school moved to Mountaindale in 1974. Rabbi Rothenberg later led the school until his passing in 2013.
The Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale Synagogue is a very important building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This means it is recognized as a place with special historical value.
Bach to Rock Festival
Mountaindale almost hosted a huge music event called the Bach to Rock Festival in July 1970. This concert was planned to be as big as the famous Woodstock festival. Many well-known musicians and bands were set to perform. These included The Kinks, Kathy Smith, Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, and The Band.
For a month in August 1970, more than 50,000 people, often called "hippies," gathered in the hamlet. However, a court order stopped the concert. This happened less than a day before it was supposed to begin.
Mountaindale's New Look
Over the years, people have tried to make Mountaindale a more lively place. Since 2018, the hamlet has been going through a "renaissance." This means it is seeing a rebirth with many new businesses opening. These include new places to eat, shops, and fun activities. A New York Times article wrote about these exciting changes.
New Businesses and Experiences
Mountaindale now has several new spots for visitors and locals. You can find places like The Dale, a pizza place, and High Voltage. There are also Forage and Gather and Willow & Post for food and provisions.
For shopping, you might visit Witchey Handmade Apothecary or Yin Spiritual Center. These new businesses add to the unique feel of Mountaindale. You can also find fun experiences like Wild Bower Studio.
Parks and Recreation
Mountaindale offers great outdoor activities. The O&W Rails to Trails is a popular path for walking and biking. Its starting point is next to the hamlet's basketball courts and the old Train Station, which is now a Visitor Center. This trail leads to the Village of Woodridge, passing a small waterfall and a large lake. It's a great spot for bird-watching too.
The Mountain Dale Park and Campground is another wonderful place. It offers camping, a swimming pool, and picnic areas. There's also a dog obstacle course, a playground, and a recreation building. You can enjoy fishing and boating here, as it has a boat launch.
See also
In Spanish: Mountain Dale para niños
