Wytheville VA Tourism presents WE’RE OUTTA HERE

869 NORTH BRANCH ROAD, NORTH BRANCH, NEW YORK 12766

845-482-2339 • WWW.NORTHBRANCHINN.COM

Along a winding backroads that ows along the path of a hard babbling stream you will come across a building that looks to be a normal, if large, country home.

But it is far more.

The little burg of North Branch was of cially named in 1851, and constituted not much more than seven families, a general store, post of ce, and a bowling alley. Famous for its orchards and apple cider, a great variety of apples grew here and were prized all over the world.

The small hamlet has had its share of famous, or famous by blood, as Jacob Quick, a nephew of the famous Indian ghter Tom Quick, was 60-years old when he settled in North Branch. He moved from Pike County, PA, where he was Justice of

the Peace for thirty successive terms. For reasons not well known, he had lost all of his property there.

But here, he cleared land and his children settled around him. He prospered again as his orchards produced bountiful harvests. Jacob built the rst sawmill in the town of Callicoon, near Jeffersonville, and started to build a second in North Branch when he died in 1852 at age 72, an honored member of town’s society.

There were several hotels in North Branch: The Links Maple Grove Hotel had a dance hall, bar room, bowling alley and held dances on Saturday nights. The North Branch Inn was built in 1868. It was a hotel, bar room, bowling alley and a barbershop. It also had “public baths.” Back then with no indoor plumbing, cabanas were set-up along the creek where people could swim, bathe and change. Ray Herbert used to set pins at the bowling alley for 19¢ a line and would earn one glass of soda per game. Verd and So e Schlicting owned it at that time. There have been several owners: Fred Ludwig, Hoffmann, Louis Galiardi, John Mootz and Spafford. The last owner, Victoria Lesser, had done a great deal of work to renovate it. It is no longer a bar room, it is now a wine bar & café with WiFi and an art, antique and gift market.

Today the North Branch Inn is owned and operated by husband and wife Sims Foster and Kirsten Harlow Foster and their team. The Foster family has been in the Catskills for 5 generations dating back to the 1910s. The Fosters have been a steady presence in helping to revitalize their hometown of Livingston Manor by opening 3 different restaurants since 2002. The couple also runs The Arnold House, a 130-room inn, tavern and spa that opened in the Summer of 2014 on nearby Shandelee Mountain, as well as a number of other local venues.

Time has stood still in this small corner of the world where this still holds true today. The décor at the Inn aims to honor this rich past while providing modern amenities such as free wireless internet, Malin and Goetz bath products, crisp cotton sheets and indulgent down duvet covers.

The North Branch Inn has 14 comfortable rooms, each with their own style and charm, spread over three buildings across the street from each other, situated on seven acres of rolling elds. With rolling elds, sunken pools and gardens, there is plenty to do – or not do – during your stay. The Inn also has its own bar, and pop-up gourmet chefs on weekends at the Alley. Mostly what you would expect from a country inn in Sullivan County.

Wait? Alley?

One thing that is a bit different from other inns is that they have two old-style bowling lanes, stretching off the kitchen.

Sure – you have set your own pins – but that is why the bar is there to help in that quest.

All in all, you will nd The North Branch House a bit different, but in all the good ways.

After a great day’s ride, settle in with an adult beverage and throw a game or two. Wander over to one of the re pits and enjoy some good old fashioned s’mores and hot cocoa after dinner. Or sit by the wood-burning stove with an excellent cup of Joe or hot cider and settle into a comfy chair with a good book.

Enjoy and see you on the road. ,