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History of Monticello

The Village of Monticello was founded by John Patterson Jones of Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut where he was born in 1779.  Jones was co-founder with his brother Samuel Frisbee Jones who was involved in making the road that became the Newburgh-Cochecton Turnpike to connect the Hudson and Delaware rivers.  While they marked the path through what was then Orange and Ulster County they saw an opportunity to build and invest. In 1803 the brothers purchased an 1861 acre tract of land that the new Turnpike would bisect, the place that was to become the new Village.  John and a dozen other men built a sawmill and other infrastructure to assist in the building of the Village.  The group left the area during the winter of 1803 returning in the spring of 1804 to continue the work.  The route of the Turnpike was finalized in the spring of 1804 and John and Samuel began the plan for the Village.  The first house was started on September 4th 18O4. It was located at Broadway and St John Street, where the Chase Bank is now located across the street from the Sullivan County Courthouse.  Having twenty homes constructed by 1813 the Village was officially incorporated on April 20th 1830. Just as parents are faced with the task of naming their child, so were the founders of Towns and Villages across America centuries ago.  Monticello was officially named on December 7th 18O4 by John Patterson Jones.  Although there is no official documentation it is likely the name Monticello was chosen because it was a very popular name.  At the time Thomas Jefferson was president and Monticello was his large estate in Charlottesville Virginia. Monticello means a small mountain in Italian.  John Patterson Jones was probably paying homage to Jefferson and he wasn’t alone.  There are at least 14 Villages and Towns named Monticello across America.  Interestingly Monticello is also known as the “Foothills of the Catskills” which also infers “Small Mountain”.

John Patterson Jones went on to become the first county clerk upon the formation of Sullivan County on March 27th 1809. He also served in the New York State Senate.  John Patterson Jones died in 1858 and is buried in the St John Street Cemetery a short distance from his home.

On the evening of August 10, 1909, a major fire started in the Broadway district of Monticello. The fire started in a local power station and quickly spread from building to building, engulfing the whole of Broadway Street in flames. Local fire departments were scrambled to stop the fire, quickly containing the fire and stopping its spread to residential areas. By the time the dust had settled, 40 buildings had been reduced to ash, causing roughly 1 million dollars in damages. Luckily, no one was killed in the fire and the village soon rebuilt.

The history of Monticello from 1930 to today reflects the evolution of a village that has been shaped by economic changes, cultural shifts, and developments in infrastructure.

During the early 1930s, Monticello, like much of the United States, was affected by the Great Depression. This period was marked by high unemployment and economic hardship. During World War II, Monticello continued to face the challenges of the global conflict. Many young men from Monticello enlisted or were drafted into the military.

In the post-war period, Monticello experienced moderate growth.  Monticello became known for its proximity to the Catskill Mountains, making it an attractive area for vacationers and second-home owners.

The development of the Monticello Raceway in the 1950s, a key attraction for the area, also began to shape the town’s economy. It became a popular site for harness racing, attracting visitors from across the region. The Raceway remains one of Monticello’s most well-known landmarks.

The 1950s and 1960s saw further growth in tourism as the Catskills became a popular destination for vacationers, particularly Jewish vacationers from New York City which gave rise to the term Borscht Belt . The rise of Jewish resorts, hotels and bungalow colonies in the Catskills, including in and around the Village were a major part of the village’s economy. Monticello itself was home to several bungalow colonies, motels, shops, and entertainment venues catering to tourists. Monticello, as the county seat, was positioned to benefit from this influx, and the village saw increased economic activity.

In the 1970s, Monticello saw a decline in its tourist economy due to changing vacation habits, increased air travel, and the rise of new forms of entertainment. The Borscht Belt hotels and resorts that had once flourished began to close, leaving a significant economic void.

In the 1980s, Monticello began to struggle economically as tourism continued to decline. Many of the old resorts had either closed or been repurposed, leaving behind large, empty buildings and hotels.

By the 1990s, Monticello’s population remained stable, but the economic decline of the previous decades continued to affect the village. Efforts were made to revitalize the downtown area and to attract new businesses. Despite the downturn, Monticello also began to diversify its economy.

The development of the Resorts World Catskills casino and Kartrite Resort and Water Park complex in nearby Thompson, which opened in 2018, has helped revitalize the region.

In the 2000s, Monticello’s struggles continued, though there were improvements. Monticello began focusing on improving its downtown, revitalizing old buildings, and developing its tourism infrastructure. The village also began to embrace new forms of business with a focus on bringing new investments to the region. The 2010s saw Monticello and Sullivan County working to diversify its economy and improve local infrastructure. Monticello also focused on improving its appeal to residents and visitors alike, with investments in public parks, cultural events, and new small businesses.

As Monticello entered the 2020s, the community faced the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also began to look forward to new opportunities for growth. The pandemic led to more people considering living in suburban and rural areas, and Monticello saw an influx of new residents seeking a quieter, more affordable lifestyle outside New York City.

The village continues to work on attracting new businesses and improving local amenities. The Village saw new investments in cultural venues.  The ETHELBERT B. CRAWFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY  was relocated and expanded in the center of the business district.  In cooperation with the SULLIVAN COUNTY LAND BANK, the BLACK LIBRARY focusing on celebrating Black History and Culture was established.  The ASSEMBLY  a contemporary art space featuring the work of 21st century artists was established in 2022 by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi and Lucia Corredor, ASSEMBLY is sponsored by the non-profit Foundation for Mexican Art and Culture. The space is located on Broadway. The former Buick dealership was restored by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach. ASSEMBLY is presented as a forum for the construction of dialogues between international art and the local community. With the continued success of the casino and the region’s natural beauty, Monticello will continue to evolve as a thriving center of commerce and tourism in the Catskills. Monticello is home to the Monticello Raceway. Located nearby is Resorts World Catskills a Vegas-style casino.  Just seven miles away from the Raceway is Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, and in the Town of Thompson an auto racing circuit, Monticello Motor Club.

Monticello is the largest village in Sullivan County in both population and area.  Monticello is the home of the County Seat. It is roughly located at the half-way point between Binghamton, New York and New York City along NY Route 17.  The village has a total area of 4.1 square miles.  The population was 7,173 at the 2020 census.

Monticello is located at 41°39′N 74°41′W (41.653, -74.690)

Notable People

Historical Documents

First Village Planning & Zoning Study 1958Download
Villages First Zoning Ordinance 1958Download

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