The other day I was fortunate to meet Ismael “Ish” Martinez, Jr., author of Las Villas of Plattekill and Ulster County. As luck would have it, my good friend Juan Figueroa purchased me a signed copy of Ish’s book - and as more luck would have it, I had time to read this gem of a book in full earlier this week.
If you are a resident of Plattekill, New York and want to be inspired by the history of your town, then you should read this book.
You should also read this book if you care about:
- Upstate New York in general
- The Bronx
- Latin American culture
- Latin American cuisine
- Latin American music
- Leisure and recreation in the United States
- The Hudson Valley
- The human condition
Between about 1920 and 2000, the Town of Plattekill, respectfully known by many as the center of the Spanish Alps, served as the getaway location of choice for thousands of New Yorkers - many coming from Latino backgrounds. The historically significant Villas, such as Sunny Acres, La Copa, Casa los Andes, Villa Garcia, and Villa Victoria, served as places of refuge for city folk seeking fresh air, cool evenings, roasted pork, and live music catering to a family-friendly crowd.
The location, recreational opportunities, cuisine, and live music, in combination, made sure that Las Villas, serving busloads of weekenders all summer long for decades, played a substantial role in the development and lives of thousands and thousands of New Yorkers over the years.
Do you ever look around Plattekill and wonder what some of these large, outdated, empty old buildings used to be for? Ever wonder what the economic base of this town was back in the day? Did you ever picture this sleepy upstate town as teeming full of life from corner to corner?
Then perhaps you are, unwittingly, summoning the memories of days passed. Through a diligently organized set of photos and passages, Ish masterfully tells the story of the Golden Age of Plattekill. Once upon a time, Plattekill, NY was a majestic land - full of life and wonder.
Want to believe in Plattekill? And want to know what a vibrant and progressive Plattekill would look like? Then you should read Ish’s book.
And if you don’t believe in the future of Plattekill, then let me remind you of this eternal truth: History repeats itself. And to my mind (as I have suggested in another recent post), another Golden Age is just on the horizon for the sleepy upstate town that thousands of us call home.
And if you don’t believe in the future of Plattekill, then let me remind you of this eternal truth: History repeats itself. And to my mind (as I have suggested in another recent post), another Golden Age is just on the horizon for the sleepy upstate town that thousands of us call home.
The revitalization of Plattekill is only steps away. If you need something concrete to go with this sentiment, I strongly suggest that you go and get yourself a copy of Ish’s book. Las Villas of Plattekill and Ulster County is compelling, organized, and significant. If you live in the Hudson Valley and are looking for your next great read, I cannot over-recommend Ish’s book. Available now on Amazon.
Here is to our shared history. And to our shared future. And to Las Villas of Plattekill.
Reference
Martinez, I. (2016). Las Villas of Plattekill and Ulster County. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing.
