A long time haven for artists, writers, and musicians, perhaps the best story of the Catskill (Dutch for Cat’s Creek) Mountains comes from rival luxury hotels. In 1880 George Harding was staying at the luxurious Catskill Mountain House when he requested a specific meal from the staff which they refused to make. When the complaint reached the owner, he denied Harding’s request and suggested he build his own hotel if he’d like to be accommodated. So that’s just what Harding did, and the Kaaterskill Hotel was completed one mountain over the next year. Although both of those hotels no longer exist, the spirit of that natural luxury lives on in this 4 1/4” solid smooth red oak.