Roadside Hotel Signage in the Catskills, Borscht Belt 1950s

This authentic color photograph, captured in the 1950s, depicts a classic scene from the heyday of the Borscht Belt in the Catskill Mountains of New York. The archival image features a roadside “sign board” hill, a common sight at major intersections in Sullivan and Ulster counties, where dozens of hotels and summer colonies vied for the attention of vacationing families. Prominent signs for legendary establishments such as the Royal Hotel, The Olympic, Biltmore, Evergreen Hotel, and Avon Lodge are visible, showcasing the mid-century typography and hand-painted charm of the era. A two-tone station wagon, characteristic of 1950s American family travel, is parked on the shoulder of the winding mountain road. This region served as a premier cultural and entertainment hub for the Jewish community in the Northeast for decades. While many of these historic resorts have since closed or been demolished, this factual record preserves the vibrant commercial landscape of the “Sour Cream Sierras” during their peak. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.