Fritz G. Meier

Around Crawford (Images of America) Fritz G. Meier

The town of Crawford was initially settled by German, Dutch, Irish, and Scottish families who built mills along the Hudson River tributaries. By the early 1800s, the area was known as "the Butter Capital of the World." Nestled along the base of the Shawangunk Mountains, the town of Crawford has transitioned from a rural farming community to a residential oasis. Along the way, farmlands have become housing developments, local industry has given way to chain stores, and dirt roads have become paved highways. A collection of images from as early as the 1860s depicts the transformation of the communities of Searsville, Bullville, Thompson Ridge, and Pine Bush. Although the surroundings have changed, the hearts of area residents have remained loyal to the small-town ideals that define the town of Crawford.