For decades, Wurtsboro was one of Upstate New York’s major transportation hubs, traversed by the Delaware & Hudson Canal from 1850 to 1942, and later the Ontario & Western Railroad. As people and goods were shuttled to and from New York City, the village thrived, and shops and restaurants sprang up to accommodate visitors. In the mid to late twentieth century, Wurtsboro’s proximity to Route 17 made it a favorite stop for downstate urbanites bound for the popular resorts for which Sullivan County was then famous.

To this day, Wurtsboro’s storefronts draw traffic from across the Hudson Valley region, and as environmental stewardship becomes a priority for many, the village’s scenic parks, preserves, and hiking trails attract ecotourists from throughout the New York metropolitan area.