Uncover Ulster County's hidden history of unsavory characters and
stories of its wicked past.
Situated in the scenic Hudson Valley, Ulster County is a lovely location
to make a home and raise a family, but it wasn't always so pleasant.
Unsavory characters and immoral events have sullied its name. In the
1870s, the Shawangunk Mountains inspired fear rather than awe, as groups
like the Lyman Freer and Shawangunk gangs robbed and terrorized locals,
descending from the protection of the wooded peaks. Kingston was
torched, arson blazed in Kerhonkson and even the Mohonk Mountain House
was threatened by flames. In 1909, the Ashokan Slasher's bloody crimes
and sensational trial captured headlines across the country. Discover
these and other salacious stories buried in Ulster County's history.