The Catskills is home to unimaginable treasures—some of which are hidden—and many of which are in plain sight. For lovers of the outdoors, the Catskills is paradise. The ruggedly mountainous area has justly earned a reputation as one of the most scenic in the United States. What many may not know is that the Catskills is also home to several charming little towns that pop up out of the region’s colorful foliage—to exhibit a beautiful fusion of artistry and rhyme between human workmanship and that of nature’s own creative hand.
And while we can see and admire many of these small, quaint towns, it’s a matter of historical interest that some towns on this famous tourist circuit lie buried—or sunken and out of sight. Such is the story of a town ironically called Neversink. In this article, we shine the spotlight on one of New York’s hidden gems—literally.
The Untold Story of Neversink: A Sunken Town In New York
New York is home to several hidden treasures. Hidden—in the literal sense of the word. For instance, the light blue waters of Lake Ontario alone cover up to 200 sunken ships. But aside from ships, whole towns like Neversink—that were once vibrant and bustling—also repose in watery graves across the Catskills. Of course, the Catskills was also once a bustling resort region, even if it now looks completely abandoned. Neversink was established as a town in 1798. Trout fishing—in the Neversink River—would soon become a favorite pastime of the locals. Even today, the Neversink River is considered the cradle of American dry fly fishing. This is a fishing technique where the bait is an artificial fly made to float on the surface of the water instead of sinking down.
Opinion is divided regarding the origin of the name Neversink—especially since it would later prove to be strangely ironic. According to one account, the Lenapé people—the indigenous tribe which settled around the turbulent river—named the river nkëchehòsi sipu, meaning “crazy river.” This was a fitting description of a river that was dangerously wild and choppy. The European settlers could not hear the name correctly. They would later call it Neversink, a corruption of the original.
Even in its heyday, Neversink was a small settlement. Town life revolved around the main street and other town essentials such as a chapel and a small, two-roomed school. The town’s only chapel was associated with the Methodist Church. There was even a casino. By the time it went under the icy waters of the reservoirs, Neversink had a population of about 2,000 closely-connected residents.
Here’s How Neversink Town Got Submerged
The submerging of Neversink is a story that’s closely intertwined with that of New York City. By the 1940s, the Big Apple had emerged as the world’s foremost manufacturing hub. Over a million factory workers were eking out a living from the city’s 40 factories. Naturally, this burgeoning population needed water. A lot of it. To meet this growing need, the city’s Board of Water Supply made the decision to construct a reservoir to channel and collect the river’s water for subsequent supply to New York’s residents—then estimated to be a staggering nine million. This decision would come with a high cost.
The area around the town of Neversink would be chosen as the site of the reservoir. It seems the authorities never paid much attention to the town’s symbolic name. And entreaties from distressed families fell on deaf ears. Other little towns would share the fate of Neversink. These included Bittersweet, Lackawack, Eureka, and Montela. Families who had made this beautiful area home would lose almost everything they had built with painstaking effort and industry. Perhaps the only saving grace was that there were no cemeteries in the area earmarked for the reservoirs. As a result, Neversink’s residents never had to dig up graves and bury the remains of their loved ones elsewhere.
Here’s How Neversink Looks Like Today
With the building up of the reservoir, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the state, the old town of Neversink would be relocated across the road. But it’s just a copy. The true original is completely submerged. Set in the backdrop of stunning Catskills scenery and colorful foliage, no one would know that a town lies submerged inside the large reservoir. The area is quiet, peaceful, and charmingly serene—just the perfect place to clear a cluttered mind.
- Where Is Neversink Located? The town of Neversink is located in Sullivan County—114.9 miles north of New York City—and 5.6 miles west of Neversink town on Route 55 E.
At 175 feet below the surface of the water, it’s hard to see the submerged town from above the water—even if some claim that the ruins of the town are visible, especially when the water level is low. The story of Neversink is one that’s steeped in irony stemming from the town’s own unique name, framed almost as a warning.
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