BORSCHT BELT – FALLSBURG

The story of the tourism industry in Sullivan County, particularly in the Town of Fallsburg, is vast and vibrant. Fallsburg was a major hub of the Borscht Belt. This segment of Route 42, known as “Hotel Row,” led to about 79 hotels and 107 bungalow colonies.

One of the first Fallsburg hotels was The Flagler. The Flagler family opened it as a Christian resort in the 1870s. In 1908, it was sold to Jewish developers who retained the original name for guests to believe it was connected to the luxury hotels built in Florida by oil tycoon Henry Flagler.

Flagler’s hotels inspired a style of Borscht Belt architecture. Characterized by stucco, pastel colors, arched windows, and parapets, and later known as Sullivan County Mission style, it was favored at many resorts.

Other notable area destinations were the Ambassador, Eldorado, Olympic, Furst, and Lebowitz Pine View hotels, and the Phyl‑Bob Colony Day Camp.

Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation

 Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project

Sullivan County Historian