Nestled within the charming town of Liberty, New York, the once-bustling hamlet of Parksville captured the public’s imagination at the dawn of the 20th century, thanks to the establishment of the Ontario & Western Railway (O&W). This vital transit route offered convenient and direct access to the breathtaking beauty of the Catskill Mountains, a region experiencing a renaissance as industry magnates constructed elegant summer estates and grand hotels.

The once serene village rapidly transformed into a vibrant destination, boasting luxurious resorts and an array of exclusive shopping experiences. However, as time passed, the allure of the O&W railway faded as affluent patrons shifted their attention to more fashionable vacation spots such as the Hamptons and the Jersey Shore. Those who visit Parksville in the present day will discover a tranquil, timeworn town characterized by a haunting collection of mostly deserted edifices.

The humble beginnings of Parksville can be traced back to the early 19th century when intrepid families from the New England region ventured forth to settle in Sullivan County, New York. Among these trailblazing pioneers was a man named William Parks, who played a crucial role in sparking the town’s nascent industry by constructing mills and fostering a sense of community. Although Parks and his kin were not the first to settle in the area that would eventually bear the name Parksville—Martin and Eber Hall hold that distinction, according to the Parksville Planning Committee—Parks’ enduring impact on the region earned him the honor of having the hamlet named after him.

Over time, Parksville beckoned new residents who furthered its development, cultivating a thriving community of merchants and mill workers. Spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries, the O&W railway line served as a catalyst for the growth and popularity of the Catskills on a grand scale. Until the devastating blow of the Great Depression, Parksville stood as a favored summer retreat for urbanites seeking the tranquility and respite offered by a bucolic country getaway.

Before long, the tranquility that once defined Parksville gave way to a bustling atmosphere. Over 100 hotels and resorts sprang up, attracting such a throng of visitors that traffic jams in the town center became a common sight. The harsh economic reality of the Great Depression forced many hotels to shutter, but the grandest establishments, such as Young’s Gap Hotel, the Prospect Inn, and the Grand Hotel, persevered. The cherished Young’s Gap, in particular, managed to stay open until the 1960s, even as the decline in tourism paralleled the waning popularity of the O&W railway.

A glimmer of hope emerged with the construction of Route 17, a new highway that funneled traffic through the heart of Parksville. In the late 1980s and 1990s, a determined group of local business owners made an effort to reinvigorate the town by introducing an eclectic mix of cafés, restaurants, and shops. Sadly, their success proved to be fleeting. Route 17 was eventually upgraded to Interstate 86, which redirected traffic away from Parksville, transforming it from a convenient stopover into a deliberate destination for travelers.

As a result, the once-bustling hamlet now stands as a testament to the ebb and flow of prosperity, bearing the scars of a bygone era when it was a vibrant and thriving vacation hotspot.