Smallwood, New York

Smallwood is known for its early-20th century style log cabins and camps constructed by immigrants in the 1930s. A unique feature of the community is that the original home construction materials were locally sourced: Smallwood cabins were constructed of wood lumbered and milled on site, and the distinctive stone fireplaces found in most cabins were built of limestone quarried in Smallwood in the 1920s to 1950s. Most of these historic cabin structures survive as both summer and year-round residences.

The Smallwood development, as envisioned by developer A.N. Smallwood, was originally a "restricted" community, i.e., homes were available only to individuals who were eligible for membership in the Mountain Lakes Country Club, which was restricted to "caucasians of the Christian faith," according to literature and sales brochures. This began to change in the 1940s, but many deeds contained exclusionary covenants into the 1950s. In the past few decades, the community has become very diverse, comprising local year-round residents as well as summer-home owners who hail primarily from the New York City metropolitan area and from South Florida.

Municipal tap water for many Smallwood homes is only available on a seasonal basis from April to October. Other homes which have been winterized have wells.

Centrally located in the Hamlet of Smallwood, Mountain Lake is a private holding of the Smallwood Civic Association (SWCA). Only dues paying members of the Association have access to the approximate 65 acre man-made Lake and other facilities owned and operated by the SWCA such the as a beach, tennis and pickelball courts, basketball court, playground, ball field, and Lodge. Minnie Falls is a popular water fall and part of a large public park operated by the Town of Bethel called, The Forest Reserve at Smallwood. The Reserve features hiking trails for year-round outdoor activities as well as a large dog park The Falls are part of White Lake Brook, a water system which, upon entering Smallwood becomes Mountain Lake, and upon crossing over the lake’s dam becomes White Lake Brook again. The Club at Smallwood, also located in the community, is also private. While an entity separate from the SWCA, some “Smallwoodians” maintain memberships in both organizations.The Club offers a heated pool and recreational activities in the summer months. Both the Civic Association and Club at Smallwood are open to dues-paying residents. Smallwood residents also have access to the nearby and public, Lake Superior State Park(operated by Sullivan County)and the public Toronto Reservoir, which is adjacent to Smallwood and located at the end of Pine Grove Road. The Toronto access — permitted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allows for swimming and has a public motor-boat launch for fishing and other boating activities.