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Woodbourne dates to the 19th century as a farm community. Farmers began taking in boarders after the opening of the O&W Railroad in 1873. By the 20th century, the hamlet was a hub for kuchaleins. Yiddish for “cook alone,” they were shared houses where travelers cooked their own meals. By the 1940’s, they evolved into bungalow colonies—private cabins with shared entertainment and recreational facilities—offering more affordable options for working and middle-class families compared to resorts. Jacoby’s was a hilltop paradise with ceramic studios, costume balls and a full children's orchestra. Lansman's is revered for its day camp. By the 1950s, Woodbourne also had a thriving resort industry. Originally the Levbourne, the Aladdin evolved into an Arabian-themed resort with the Ali Baba Nightclub, Mirage Canteen and Sinbad Building. Chesters’ was an adult resort known for an emphasis on arts and culture. Both resorts, along with others in the area, were run by women. Woodbourne’s legacy includes about 27 resorts and 52 bungalow colonies such as Furman’s, Happy Hamlet, Salhara, Schlifkin’s, Shady Maples, South Wind and Zukor’s.
Borscht Belt - Woodbourne Marker - Side 2
From the early 1920s through the 1970s, the Borscht Belt was the preeminent summer resort destination for hundreds of thousands of predominantly East Coast American Jews. The exclusion of the Jewish community from existing establishments in the 1920s drove Jewish entrepreneurs to create over 500 resorts, 50,000 bungalows, and 1,000 rooming houses in Sullivan County and parts of Ulster County. The Borscht Belt provided a sense of community for working and vacationing Jews. The era exerted a strong influence on American culture, particularly in the realm of entertainment, music, and sports. Some of the most well-known and influential people of the 20th century worked and vacationed in the areas. Beginning around 1960, the Borscht Belt began a gradual demise due to many factors, including the growth of suburbia, inexpensive airfare, and generational changes. Erected 2025 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project.
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