ARROWHEAD BLOG JULY 2025

Hi and welcome to our new blog on our new revamped website! As we progress along our journey, now in year 7, we appreciate all the supporters and followers… moving the dream forward…to restore a magical healing retreat destination…. of peace and love, art and music, that we can all enjoy!

Let's start with the history of Arrowhead...

The original hotel “The Lake Plaza” was built in the 50s, and was one of many, many Catskill destinations. In the 60s it was purchased by a young businessman from Long Island, Whitey Daniel, who would own the ranch for 30 years. He changed the name, brought in the horses, and built 2 accessory hotel buildings, bringing it up to 55 hotel rooms. There was 800 acres, a large bar with a separate pool room, a giant lobby, a commercial kitchen that fed everyone as a family, and a lake with a dock and boats. The trails were beautiful, the horses were well trained and healthy.

A young couple, Kenny and Michelle Hoff bought the ranch turnkey in 1989, with whitey as a silent partner. They started bringing in the music. The offs did a great job at creating the most amazing vibe- laid back, fun, and welcoming. The ranch made a strong impression on everyone who visited, there was always music and friends. Many staff came to visit and stayed to become part of the team. Many memories were made there. Rose Barnett became a regular, following a few bands from Long Island, and attending festivals. Kenny Schneidman became part of the early arrowhead’s team, doing art for posters and backstage passes, and managing vendors at events. He had his own room. He was on stage for Phish!

Phish at Arrowhead 1991 with Giant Country Horns. Current owner Kenny Schneidman is on the far left. Photo by Steve Eichner

The ranch had its moment in the spotlight in the summer of 1991. Blues traveler manager David Graham and his dad legendary promoter Bill Graham took an interest and booked a most incredible summer of music. Things went to the next level. The sky was the limit! but sadly, it was not to be. That fall 1991, tragedy struck, and Bill met with a fatal accident. Based on the west coast, his company pulled out of all business he had begun at Arrowhead. Reeling from the loss, confronted by unpaid contractors, and without bill’s leadership, the Hoffs moved on, giving the ranch back to Whitey.

The ranch continued to do a modest business, continuing to host music events started by the Hoffs. In 1999 a client bought it and ran it as a swingers retreat.

The Arrowhead Ranch was on EBAY in 2000

Rose Barnett actually met with that owner in 2000, to consider buying it. At that time the ranch was on Ebay! It was just a dream, Rose had no way to buy it. However, Rose saved the documents from that meeting all these years containing critical info on the property utilities!

In the early 2000s the property was sold to a rabbi who ran it as a boarding high school for troubled boys.

One cold day in 2015, during foreclosure, a dramatic fire burnt the main hotel building to the ground. You can see it on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdsD1Ly3Agc a local news crew member unprofessionally comments that the warmth of the fire “feels good.”

The arrowhead lay abandoned in decay. Most people thought this was the end. Rose never forgot and continued to stalk the property. Once while visiting the ruins, a powerful voice from within said” no one else is going to do this! this is what you are supposed to do”. Rose, who was a music promoter, horse enthusiast, and real estate rehabber, realized she had been preparing for this all her life. She listened and took the leap of faith, stepping up to the challenges that followed. In 2018 Rose met Kenny Schneidman at the colony Woodstock and he eventually became a partner. A series of profound miracles have followed and continue to happen every day, some really big ones!!