Preston Hollow

Village Street Preston Hollow, photo from People Made It Happen Here

Location

Preston Hollow is a hamlet of Rensselaerville in the southwestern part of town along the Catskill Creek in the valley of the Catskills.

History

Preston Hollow took its name from Dr. Samuel Preston who was the first settler emigrating from Connecticut circa 1789. For a short time in the early 1880's the town name was changed to Monclova and the post office there went by that name. After two years of being known as Monclova, the citizens there consented to change the name back to Preston Hollow. It was incorporated as a village in 1870.^[1]

Population

According to the U.S. Census, in 2000 the population of Potter Hollow and Preston Hollow combined was 374.

Early Settlers

Early settlers of Preston Hollow included Henry Couchman who emigrated from Dutchess County circa 1793. Couchman found that where he settled and a half miles from the present village he found the nearest mill being at Leeds and the nearest apple tree in Schoharie. He later would get a bushel of apples, save the seeds, and raised an orchard which still graced his the farm in 1886.

Other early arrivals included Joseph Burchard, Jr., Teal Rockefeller, George Wait, and Captain Daniel Shay, Burchard emigrated from Connecticut in 1798. Teal (Theil) Rockefeller arrived circa 1797 and ran a blacksmith shop early on. George Wait built a tavern not far from Rockefeller's blacksmith shop. Captain Daniel Shay emigrated from Massachusetts about 1795 and later became a leading business man in Preston Hollow.^[1]

Churches

Schools

Historic Businesses

This section will have the history of each business beginning from its establishment, through various ownerships and name changes. Pictures may be used provided you have authority to post them.

Stores

Other Businesses

Cemeteries

Brookside Cemetery

Photo Gallery

This section is for scenic photos and post cards of the hamlet. Photos of people and families should be posted on biography or family pages.

Upper Village Preston Hollow ca. 1907, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Preston Hollow Band, early 1880s taken in front of the Barringer house, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Sod Buster Team from 1932, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Toll Gate, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Ball Team, Front Row L-R Robert Dingman, George Edwards, Ford Hogadorn, Wayland Elsbree, Standing L-R Protor Scott, Adelbert Wolfe, Coral Cook, Alfred Hulbert, Clarence Mercer, Willard Elsbree photo from People Made It Happen Here
Murphy House, photo from People Made It Happen Here
View from cheese hill,photo courtesy of Will Osterhout
View of the mountains from the road 1921,photo courtesy of Will Osterhout
Preston Hollow Toll Gate
Back of Post Card