Sloatsburg Stories
Real people. Real places. The history beneath the highway. A documentary podcast exploring the voices and forgotten places of the Ramapo Valley - recorded on site in Sloatsburg, New York.
About the Project
Sloatsburg Stories is an ongoing documentary podcast created by Erik Larson and recorded across the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains. Each episode blends oral history, archival tape, and field recording to capture how one small Hudson Valley town has weathered nearly a century of change.
The series brings together longtime residents, local historians, and new voices to share how Sloatsburg connects to something larger: the story of movement, memory, and what gets left behind when progress comes through.
Listen to the Episodes
The Thruway, the Red Apple, and the Lost Hamlets
The highway promised progress, but it also carved through mountains, neighborhoods, and people’s lives. Featuring historian Carl Wright on how the Thruway reshaped Sloatsburg and erased the nearby hamlets that once lined Johnsontown Road.
How Sloatsburg Grew Up
Sloatsburg's story of growing up is told through the places where the community learned, played, and gathered. In this episode, historian Carl Wright recalls a village on the edge of change, when classrooms still echoed with chalk and laughter, when baseball was the heart of a Saturday afternoon, and when the first televisions brought faraway worlds into local living rooms.
Halloween in Sloatsburg
Halloween in Sloatsburg wasn’t always parades and fire trucks. In the 1950s, it was powdered donuts in church basements, apple cider in paper cups, and neighbors trying to guess who was behind each mask. Former mayor and historian Carl Wright remembers those nights, and how a handful of locals turned a small gathering into one of the Hudson Valley’s favorite parades.
Meet the Guests
Carl Wright - Former Mayor and Town Historian
Carl has dedicated decades to documenting Sloatsburg’s past. From early settlement records to the modern village archives, his work preserves the small details that make this place unique.
Share Your Sloatsburg Story
We are collecting personal memories and lived experiences from around Sloatsburg and the Ramapo Valley. Send us a voice memo or email to share a story that may be featured in a future episode.
What to Share
- A memory tied to a place, person, or event in Sloatsburg
- Stories about growing up, local traditions, or school memories
- Observations about how the village has changed over time
How It Works
- Record a voice memo on your smartphone.
- Include your name and your connection to Sloatsburg.
- Email the file to bluedoorpostproduction@gmail.com.
- If we include it in an episode, we’ll reach out for a follow-up!
Permission and Use
By sending a recording, you agree that your voice and story may be used in the Sloatsburg Stories podcast and related media. If you prefer to remain anonymous, please say so at the start of your message.
Support the Show
Sloatsburg Stories is independently produced through Blue Door Productions. Every interview, edit, and soundscape is crafted locally.
About Blue Door Productions
Sloatsburg Stories is produced by Blue Door Productions, a Hudson Valley creative studio founded by Erik Larson.
Recorded on site in Sloatsburg, NY - edited and mixed at The Lab. Music by Waistcoat Ruckus. Archival content provided by Carl Wright and the Sloatsburg Historical Society.