West Saugerties, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Saugerties, New York
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 West Saugerties, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Ulster |
| Town | Saugerties |
| Elevation | 607 ft (185 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12477
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| Area code(s) | 845 |
| FIPS code | 36-36111 |
| GNIS feature ID | 970859 |
West Saugerties is a small community called a hamlet in Ulster County, New York. It is part of the larger Town of Saugerties.
West Saugerties is located at coordinates 42.112590, -74.048193. It sits about 607 feet (185 meters) above sea level.
Contents
History of West Saugerties
West Saugerties has a rich history, especially from the early 1900s and after World War II.
Early Industries and Water Use
In the early 1900s, West Saugerties was likely a busy place for cutting down trees and working with stone. You can still see signs of this near the Plattekill Creek. There are carved stones that suggest these activities took place.
There are also remains of an old dam called "Carn's Dam." It was probably owned by Jacob Carn. This dam would have held back logs for the logging industry. Close by, you can see parts of a stone building that might have been a mill. Later, the Vickery family used this area to get ice for their ice delivery business.
A Popular Summer Spot
After World War II, West Saugerties became a favorite summer getaway. Many police officers, firefighters, and their families from New York City would spend their summers here.
Police officers especially liked it because it was close to the Police Camp at Platte Clove. These families, many of whom were of Irish descent, stayed in simple, open-air cabins. The men would work in the city during the week. They would then join their families on weekends and for their vacations. By the 1980s, most of these summer cabins had become homes where people lived all year. Many of the same families still lived in them.
Fun Times at Pinewood House
Summers in West Saugerties after the war were full of life. The main social spot was the "Pinewood House." This place was a boarding house, bar, and restaurant all in one. The Wood family ran it on West Saugerties Road.
It was open all year, but it was especially popular in summer. This was because it was near the Plattekill Creek. There was a big swimming hole nearby, called "Daley's" or "The Big Pool." You couldn't reach it by car, which made it feel special. A smaller swimming area, "The Little Pool," was easier to get to from Burnett Road. The Wood family sold the Pinewood House in 1970. It stayed a tavern until the early 1980s, then became a convenience store.
Ridge Runners Rod and Gun Club
Another popular meeting place was the Ridge Runners Rod and Gun Club clubhouse. It was located on "South Road" (West Saugerties-Woodstock Road). A group of outdoor lovers who often visited the Pinewood House bought some land in the late 1950s. They built the clubhouse themselves, finishing it in 1962.
The building was used for meetings, dances, and parties. Outside, people could have picnics, play softball, horseshoes, and practice skeet shooting. The Ridge Runners group stopped meeting in the mid-1980s, and the property was sold.
Other Fun Activities
Other fun things to do in West Saugerties included "The Barn." This was a dance hall on West Saugerties Road that had live music. The Bach family also ran a working farm. They hosted fishing trips, horseback riding, and picnics. Some of the Bach family members still live on or near the family farm today.
Our Lady of the Mountain Chapel
On summer Sunday mornings, many summer residents and some year-round locals would walk to 10:00 AM mass. This was held at the Our Lady of the Mountain Roman Catholic chapel. The local church, Saint John the Evangelist, ran this chapel. They also had two other summer chapels in Quarryville and Fish Creek. These chapels served the summer visitors from New York City. A young priest, just starting his career, often helped the main parish priest during the summers. All three of these outlying properties were sold in the 1970s. The money helped build a new church in Centerville.
Music History at Big Pink
In February 1967, three musicians named Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson moved to a house in West Saugerties. This house was famously nicknamed Big Pink and was on Stoll Road.
These musicians, along with Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, later became the famous band known as The Band. At Big Pink, they recorded about a hundred songs with Bob Dylan between June and October 1967. Some of these recordings were released in 1975 on an album called The Basement Tapes. Also, The Band practiced and wrote songs for their first album, Music from Big Pink, at this house. However, the actual album was recorded in New York and Los Angeles.
