On July 9, 1873, a few miles west of here, the “Golden Spike” was driven to complete the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad, later the New York, Ontario and Western (O and W). This rail link opened the interior of Sullivan County to millions in the New York metropolitan area who were eager to vacation amid its natural beauty. Tourism thus became a new and vital local industry, and it remained so one century later. The Route 17 Quickway here was built on the roadbed of the O and W.