Revisit the heyday of Catskill Mountain Resorts in this special feature by Jil DeMasi as she travels back in time through the camera lens of the Hallenbeck family as it captured candid moments around their summer resort in Haines Falls. This installment is the most image-heavy of several features Jil has authored about her Hallenbeck ancestors, and you can find her other guest features through these links:

The Haines Falls Schoolhouse Comes Full Circle

FUN AT THE FENMORE HOTEL

BY JIL DEMASI

Fenmore means, “Dear Love.” As mentioned in prior stories, I imagine that my great grandfather, William I. Hallenbeck dedicated the hotel to his wife, Eva L. Burton Hallenbeck. It is apparent from ancient and faded pictures with serious to sad expressions, that father, mother and daughter, (my grandmother) Irene Eliza Hallenbeck, worked very hard. It does however, look like they squeezed in some time for fun at the Fenmore.

Was it the strenuous labor, a broken heart or just the expectation of the times – stoic and stern, that is reflected in the eyes of my ancestry? Wish I could ask. I don’t like sadness but, without it, we don’t appreciate happiness and happiness is a telescopic view to the mysteries of eternity. My pictures share Irene Eliza Hallenbeck with smiling friends and guests, enjoying comradery, and having fun at the Fenmore in the early 1900’s. So, just what could you do to have fun while visiting the Fenmore Hotel in Haines Falls? Here are 30 snapshots, no pun intended:

Badminton

You could play badminton, perhaps not too strenuously since the ladies look picture perfect, minus the hair styles.

A Badminton Match

You could play badminton, perhaps not too strenuously since the ladies look picture perfect, minus the hair styles.

At the Links

You could enjoy a game of golf in heels! on the Haines Falls Golf Course.

A Masquerade

You could dress up like the line of men standing before the Fenmore! I have no idea of the purpose, however, I do see laughter.

A Formal Affair

You could have a beautiful formal portrait done with a man Irene Eliza Hallenbeck never mentioned to me. Who is the mystery man? Was she engaged more than once? What happened to that love affair?

Rip Van Winkle

Like Irene Eliza, you could have snoozed on a rock like Rip Van Winkle.

Domestic Staff

Meet the culinary artists who prepared the meals, cakes and sauces for guests at the Fenmore.

Guests

Posing for pictures on the Fenmore porch was something everyone liked to do often.

Tending the Flowers

You could try your hand at flower gardening to keep the church looking pretty.

Buggy Ride

Post card messages tell me that Irene Eliza owned a pony so, guests could take a horse and buggy ride.

The Motorcyclist

The motorbike looks like great fun – never heard about that wild story or the time Irene Eliza bleached her hair.

On a Stroll

You could walk your dog like William I. Hallenbeck so often did on his farm.

Alpinists at Rest

Sitting by the cool sprays and breezes with friends by the falls was a welcome relief – just maybe, because they look rather weathered and ticked off.

A Private Moment

Smooching under a parasol evidently was popular.

Haines Falls

The local stores sold confections which I imagine to be a delicious treat made with rich cream and hot chocolate fudge.

Waiting on a Train

You could take a scenic train ride from the Haines Falls train station to enjoy fall foliage or sneak off to the city.

The Post Office

You could visit the Haines Falls Post Office and mail out your pretty postcards!

Rough Company

You could watch a man with his trained bear!

Formal Attire

You could dress up for Halloween with your best friend and never live it down!

Aquatic Ventures

North Lake lured one to swim or pretend to be an expert diver - he is probably showing off for the girls.

Central Store

You could go to Jack’s Store - looks like a fun hangout! What did Jack sell?

A Runaway Wagon

You could pose with the carriage of the Runaway Horse from 1911. I just learned that Hotel Hallenbeck is the structure in the background. William I. Hallenbeck owned two hotels - The Fenmore Hotel and Hotel Hallenbeck.

Yachting Excursion

You could dress for the Yacht Club – What was the occasion? Does it still exist? What were the conversations? Did Irene Eliza meet the mystery man at the Yacht Club?

Evening Gown

You could dress in a gown for a ball and look ravishingly beautiful like Irene Eliza and then fall in love and dance the night away.

Locals

Hunting for turkey, bear and deer looks successful! Looks like Mr. Turkey would feed 50!

A Hot Rod

You could drive a hot looking antique car as fast as it could go without a care and laugh as the wind blew off your hat and messed up your bleached hair.

A Toast

You could enjoy some spirits with new friends! What was the popular cocktail of the day? This picture shows they didn’t wait to make proper cocktails! Was there a town pub?

Desperados

You could pretend to be a shooting cowboy on a donkey – poor donkey! Good thing that some of us never grow up.

Lawn Games

You could play bocci ball while chewing bubble gum or stick your tongue out.

So much fun in Haines Falls! I am gratified to know that there were fun times for Irene Eliza Hallenbeck, after all. In the wooded fields, crevices of the falls and now, vanished hotels of Haines Falls, we know that among life’s struggles, fun did exist in the early 1900’s.

And now, as you drive through the mountain mist, you may hear faint echoes of hearty laughter and feel the warmth of comradery, the embrace of friendships and see friendly ghostly smiles of people and times gone by and be at peace knowing you are privileged to be having fun and getting a glimpse of heaven as you visit Haines Falls.