The Arrowhead Ranch Story

The Arrowhead Ranch, formerly the Lake Plaza Hotel, dates back to the 1950s when the Catskills were at their peak as a vacation getaway for wealthy families from NYC. Like the fictitious “Kellerman's” from the movie Dirty Dancing, it embodied the spirit of the times and brought people together through outdoor activities, food and entertainment. The hotel was purchased in the mid-60s by Alan W Daniel, who changed the name, brought in horses, and expanded the capacity to 55 rooms. He named it Arrowhead Ranch, and it quickly became a popular destination for young singles.

 

When the Woodstock festival happened in 1969 only 17 miles away, more than 500,000 music lovers and artists took over Sullivan County. It’s rumored that Jimi Hendrix stopped by and played Arrowhead’s bar, and even returned a second time. This historical time changed the Borscht Belt forever, and a new generation of visitors and legendary musicians discovered the magic of the Catskills.  

 

The Hoff’s fell in love with Arrowhead, and purchased the property in 1989 from Daniel on a leap of faith. They were pioneers of the “camping/concert micro-festival” experience, and they turned this 800-acre ranch in the southern tier of the Catskill Mountains into THE place for music and nature lovers. 

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The Arrowhead quickly attracted good people, good vibes, good times and great music. In the cold, early months of 1991, Bill Graham joined forces with the Hoff’s by offering his considerable experience and a healthy investment to make The Arrowhead the "Fillmore of the Catskills". That summer, the fields were full of dancing when Phish kicked off the festivities with an unforgettable weekend of incredible music. The big stage was graced by The Band, Richie Havens, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Billy Preston, Hot Tuna, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Spin Doctors, The Radiators, Ziggy Marley, Max Creek, and many other up and coming bands and musicians that would go on to form the core of the emerging jam band culture.

Sadly, Bill was tragically killed in a freak helicopter accident near his home in Northern California later that year. All of the incredible momentum that was being built, and the Hoff’s vision, came to a halt.

Over the years, the property passed through a few other owners and, in 2015, Arrowhead suffered yet another devastating blow when an enormous fire destroyed the main building. It seemed that the Hoff’s beautiful dream would never be fulfilled. 

But love is real, and in 2017 Rose Barnett decided that she could not let it simply fade away. Kenny Schneidman joined Rose’s mission in 2019, and the foundations have now been laid to bring this sustainable community together in peace, serenity and fantastic music.

Join us as we try to honor the Hoff’s legendary vision.