Place:Montela, Ulster, New York, United States

Montela is a former village in Ulster county, New York. Although settled in the mid-1700s, the village of Montela wasn't officially established until 1886. It was located in the Rondout Valley on the border of Sullivan and Ulster Counties. It was razed and flooded by the state of New York during the construction of the Rondout Reservoir, during the late 1930s.

When New York City began building the Rondout Reservoir in 1937, the future of three villages changed forever. In Eureka, Lackawack, and Montela lived over 1,200 people (250 families). They were forced to sacrifice over 1,000 buildings, including their homes, and move elsewhere. All the bodies from the eight cemeteries in the valley had to be moved. Of the three villages, only one, Lackawack, was relocated and still exists today. Building the reservoir required the work of over 400 laborers, while the construction of the aqueduct needed hundreds more. The main dam, called the Merriman Dam for the chief engineer, Thaddeus Merriman, who passed away during the construction of the reservoir, spans 2,600 feet from one side of the Rondout Valley to the other. ^[1]

The Rondout Reservoir waters covers three lost communities. Town of Neversink lost Eureka and part of Montela. The other section of Montela and the community of Lackawack were located in the Town of Wawarsing, Ulster County.

The village of Montela was known for the Battle of Chestnut Woods in 1778.

Summary

[Note: Text below generated by AI and edited by --cos1776 16:33, 5 May 2025 (UTC)]

Montela, a now-submerged village in Ulster County, New York, was once a vibrant community in the Rondout Valley. It, along with other hamlets like Lackawack and Eureka, were part of a thriving area known for its horse farms, post offices, churches, and other amenities. Montela's history is intricately linked with the broader narrative of Ulster County's settlement and development, and its eventual flooding is a reminder of the region's changing landscape. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Montela's Role in Ulster County:

• Ulster County itself has a rich history, dating back to its designation as a county in 1683 by the Duke of York. It was named after the Irish province of Ulster. ^{[5] [6]}
• Montela, like Lackawack, was located in the Rondout Valley, a fertile area along the Rondout River, which was a major route for goods and people in the early days of the county. ^[2]
• The Rondout Valley, including Montela, was primarily agricultural and rural in nature. Thomas Shields, who owned a horse farm and race track in Montela called Grand View Farm, exemplifies the area's focus on agriculture and the horse industry. ^{[2] [3]}
• Montela, along with Eureka and Lackawack, boasted post offices, churches, general stores, schoolhouses, mills, and hotels, indicating a thriving community life. ^[2]

Montela's Legacy:

• Montela, along with other villages in the Rondout Valley, was eventually flooded when the Merriman Dam was constructed.
• A hotel in Montela, later known as the Shields Hotel, burned down in 1917 and was replaced with a smaller version. This smaller version was later used as headquarters for engineers during the construction of the Merriman Dam.
• The flooding of Montela and other Rondout Valley hamlets is a stark reminder of the region's changing landscape and the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. ^[2]

In conclusion, Montela's history is interwoven with the broader history of Ulster County, showcasing the growth of rural communities, the importance of agriculture and the horse industry, and the eventual impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. While Montela is no longer a visible settlement, its legacy is preserved in stories and memories, reminding us of the vibrant life that once thrived in the Rondout Valley. ^{[2] [3]}

Sources

1. ↑ Lost Towns
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Flooding the Valley: The Loss of Lackawack, Montela & Eureka
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Wikipedia: Ulster, New York
4. ↑ Algarve History Association
5. ↑ Wikipedia: Ulster County, New York
6. ↑ Visit Ulster County, New York