Lenapehoking is the Lenape name for the land on which Callicoon stands. Lenapehoking spans from Western Connecticut to Eastern Pennsylvania, including all of the Hudson Valley and Delaware Valley. The Callicoon Theater acknowledges the original peoples of this area and their homeland.

When the Dutch colonized the area in the 1600’s they found an abundance of wild turkey and marked the location on the map as “Kollikoonkill,” meaning “Wild Turkey Creek.” The area was a prime source for fresh-cut timber and the Delaware River served as a natural access route for transporting goods to the ports. During the 1760’s, timber rafting began and in the 1840’s the Erie Railroad opened the area further for industry.

Very few buildings in Callicoon are older than 1888 because of a devastating fire that nearly wiped out Main Street. The community immediately rebuilt, replacing every building by the year’s end. Today, visitors and new residents are drawn to the pristine beauty of “Callicoon-on-the-Delaware” as they enjoy one of the last wilderness regions with a rich and colorful history.