Delaware County is located in New York's Catskill Mountains, a region well known as a vacation spot for urbanites. Early settlers farmed the hillsides and valleys, while others sought the raw materials in the forests. By 1797, the population had increased, so the region officially became known as Delaware County. By the 1880s, the county comprised 19 towns, the same number as today. It was around that time when dairy farming became the mainstay of the local economy. However, during the last half century, traditional dairying has declined, and a great deal of agricultural land has been bought up by those seeking an escape from the city. New York City residents' need for fresh water has resulted in the construction of two 20th-century reservoirs within Delaware County's borders and the inundation of several communities. Meanwhile, the waters and the forests have remained, continuing to enrich the county by providing sustenance and comfort.