The Red Apple Rest

 

It’s the place everyone used to go to that nobody goes to anymore. In 1931 Reuben Freed opened the Red Apple Rest on Route 17 in Southfields NY, it was 48 miles from New York City, 60 miles from the Catksills, and the perfect half way stopping point between the two. As the Catskills grew in popularity so did the Red Apple Rest. In the 1940’s there was even a place just like it on the other side of the road for travelers heading back south (called Orseck’s 999). They both were often packed with cars, had long lines of people, and few tables open to sit down to eat.

Owner Reuben Freed gave his life to the Red Apple Rest. While he and his family lived literally across the street, he was never home, instead he was always working at the Red Apple Rest. Family members had to walk across the street and grab a meal there if they really wanted to spend any time with him at all.

There are scores of stories told by those who fondly remember the place. Bill Graham explains “Twenty-eight miles up Route 17 from New York was the Red Apple Rest. This was a pit stop that you didn’t make. Your car went in there by itsef. It stopped whether or not you put on the brakes.” Author Phillip Ratzer explains, “For miles along this section of Route 17 we were seeing huge buillboards along the road proclaiming RED APPLE REST – 25 MILES, followed shortly by RED APPLE REST – 22 MILES, and so on. The Red Apple, in Southfields New York was known far and wide by all those heading to or from the Country as the place to stop.” 

1930s NY State Map showing the main routes to the Catskills and where the Rest was Located

The Rest was eqiupped with a myriad of snacks, bathroooms, and gas pumps. You could refresh both your car and yourself before continuing on to your vacation spot or coming back home. You could eat hamburgers, soup, bagels and lox, or just grab some candy.

Interior of the Red Apple Rest (splitimage.com)

The Demise of the Rest

Until 1957 almost everyone going to and from the Catskills from points southeast passed by the Red Apple Rest. But then emerged a faster and quicker route that allowed drivers to bypass it. The New York State Thruway had its own rest areas, its own roadway, was built virtually in the backyard of the Red Apple Rest, and allowed people to go right by it without ever seeing it. The completion of the Thruway, as well as that of the route 17 Quickway (the expressway way to the Catskills from the Thruway) a few miles to the north, all made the trip to the Catskills much shorter, and the Rest much less significant.

Meanwhile the Catskills was having problems of its own. Competition from new vacation places like Disney World and the advent of gambling in Atlantic City stole away many vacationers. Long familiar Catskill hotels and resorts began to shut down. Vacation travel along route 17 was greatly diminshed. In 1980, Freed, still deeply devoted to his restaurant, passed away. His family sold it in 1985. The subsequent owner struggled to eek out a living until it finally closed its doors, presumably for good, a few years ago. The building still stands, but the roof has been condemned, and it seems to just be biding its time before it is finally torn down.

Aerial of the Red Apple Rest 1952 and 2009

More Red Apple Rest Photos and Articles

Postcard of the Red Apple Rest

Postcard and ‘Today Photo’

Postcard and Today Photo (Dean Lefebvre)

Another Today Photo (Dennis Garone)

1957 Trailway Cafeteria Ad

Red Apple Rest Billboard

Another Red Apple Rest Billboard

Empty Tables and Full Memories; Lines are Gone at Fabled Cafeteria on Way to Catskills

Posted by Todd Berkun on April 18, 2011

https://placesnomore.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/redapplerest/