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Postcard images capture the transformation of the Pocono Mountains from secluded wilderness to vacation destination.

Excerpt

FOREWARD

So many of the wonderful early resorts, inns, farmhouses, cottages and hotels have passed into history, but the memories remain. Ghosts of the Past are still a part of what makes the Poconos a very special place!

When the “resort saga” began, around the turn of the19th century, it was more or less simply the beginning of the exercise of putting out the welcome mat for people who needed to escape from the cities. Factory smoke and enveloping heat made life in the summertime almost unbearable. Father would necessarily be required to remain at home during the work-week. But, thankfully, Mother and the children could come to mountain country, sometimes for the whole summer, to play, breathe, and survive. Weekends would bring the workingman for a two-day rest and recuperation before his necessary return to the hotbox that was the city.

It was a “saving grace” for the economically-depressed Poconos in those early days. Extra rooms in farmhouses were pressed into service. Family friendships, that lasted through the years, came about simply because the hosts made their guests feel so sincerely welcomed (at a very nominal fee, sometimes only $1 per week).

From this humble beginning came a multi-million dollar resort business that grew and prospered. The Pennsylvania Poconos could not have done it, however, without the beautiful bounty of a region blessed with forests, lakes, rivers, tumbling streams, fish, wildlife and a lovely natural beauty. There was even a wealth of rocking chairs for viewing and enjoying it all!

Yes, many of the early resorts and farmhouses are gone… but the memory, thankfully, lingers on. We know that a house built upon an insecure foundation cannot stand for long. It is evident that the foundation of the tourist industry must have been very secure, indeed.

Whether or not the 21st century attraction of gambling in the Poconos will equal the attraction of a naturally-beautiful vacation in mountain country remains to be seen. Time, alone, will tell.

Peggy Bancroft,
South Sterling, Pennsylvania

INTRODUCTION

My interest in resorts, hotels, boarding houses and inns started in 1969, when I attended a 4-H weekend conference at Monomonock Inn. Nestled in a forest of trees, Monomonock provided a wonderful view of the Pocono Mountains. The inn was charming, the food was great, and after attending the conference for a second year, I was hooked on resorts and the hospitality industry.

With my newfound passion, I headed to college to pursue a degree in hotel and restaurant management. During the summers, I returned to work in the Poconos. Upon graduating, I secured a job with a national hotel chain. For 10 years, I traveled and worked the East Coast, always searching out interesting hotels and resorts. My current career in the food industry has afforded me the opportunity to visit resorts and inns throughout the Poconos.

The past 25 years proved to be difficult for the hospitality industry in the Pocono Mountains. Sad to say, I have found that very few of the well known and not-so-well-known boarding homes, hotels, inns and resorts are no longer in existence. Most of those that remain have had to re-invent themselves and make many changes to their operation.

However, with the advent of the gaming industry, there appears to be a renewed and revitalized interest in reinvesting in the Pocono hospitality industry. I have been collecting postcards on various subjects for the past 35years. Using my collection, and those from friends, I have compiled a pictorial history, a tour of boarding houses, hotels, inns and resorts of Monroe County from Delaware Water Gap to Tobyhanna. This area was home to many famous, and some not-so-famous hostelries. Some are in business today, some are not.

To those who remember the Poconos of the past, enjoy. To those who are new to Monroe County, welcome. And to all who love seeing the present through the eyes of the past, I hope you enjoy the journey.

Alan Sweeney,
January 2007

CHAPTER 1
WATER GAP
ALTITUDE 390 FEET

Delaware Water Gap known as “The Gateway to the Poconos” is where we start our journey to visit the boarding homes, hotels, inns and resorts of the Pocono Mountains. The Indian name of this special place was Pohoqualin, meaning a stream between two mountains. Located in Smithfield Township of Monroe County, Water Gap started as a small hamlet in 1793 and by the 1830sthe popularity of the area’s natural beauty attracted visators to stay in homes. The area eventually blossomed into a vacation destination.

Situated alongside the Delaware River and nestled between the Kittatinny and Minsi mountains, the mountains rise over 1,000 feet from the waters’ edge. This part of the Blue Ridge range of the Allegheny Mountains is most picturesque. For the Victorian tourist of the era, this was a big attraction heightened by clean air and water.

It was originally named Dutotsburg, after Antoine Dutot the founder of the town. He was one of the first to build a small hotel overlooking the Delaware River. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad constructed a railroad through the area. It opened the area to the vacationing public. Water Gap in future years was known for its many fine boarding homes, hotels, inns and resorts. They led one writer to say, “Water Gap was the second largest inland resort town in the United States after the Civil War, and its clientele were the upper classes of Philadelphia and New York.”

The Water Gap train station served the hostelry of Minisink Hills and Shawnee. All trains were met with carriages, or as time went by buses, to take guests to their lodgings.

Water Gap was “The Gateway to the Poconos” for the tourists who frequented this majestic area of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Once crossing the Delaware River from New Jersey, they found good clean air and hospitable accommodations. The region was a mecca for vacationers.

Delaware Water Gap
Water Gap from Winona Cliffs

Delaware Water Gap
The Gap from Route 611 along the Delaware River.

D.L.&W. Railroad
Route 611 and the double tracked Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, as it moved away from the Water Gap station.

Water Gap Station
The first Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad station at Water Gap was constructed in the 1800s. This station was destroyed by fire on March 2, 1902. It was replaced by a brick station between 1902-1903. The name Water Gap was officially changed to Delaware Water Gap in 1942. The Delaware House on the right was the closest hotel to the station.

Bellevue House
Bellevue House had two prior names, the Juniper Grove House and the Arlington House. The hotel housed 150 guests. It had a veranda measuring 1,500 feet. Situated on Delaware Street, it sat between the Howard House and the Forest House. The Bellevue like so many other establishments changed ownership and made additions over its years in business. The Bellevue was destroyed by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

Bridge View House
Built around 1890, the Bridge View House was situated on Mountain Road. This small hotel had 25 rooms and was operated by G. Edinger. It was enlarged.

Bridge View House
The enlarged Bridge View House now accommodated 35 guests. The Bridge View advertised all modern conveniences, large airy rooms, a good table, pure water and a garage. Around 1998, part of the hotel was destroyed by fire.

Buckwood Inn
Built in 1911 by C.C. Worthington, the Buckwood Inn had Spanish style architecture. It was constructed to be fire proof with 12 inch walls made from a new material called concrete. The inn was located in Shawnee and bordered the Delaware River. It had a golf course designed by golf architect A.W. Tillinghast. The inn accommodated 150 guests and had all the popular amenities.

Buckwood Lodge
Buckwood Lodge was part of the Buckwood Inn owned by C.C. Worthington. The lodge was open June to October.

Buckwood Inn
The Buckwood Inn was sold to Fred Waring in 1941. He changed the name to the Shawnee Inn. The Professional Golf Association had one of its first tournaments at the resort. Under Waring’s ownership, many notables golfed at the resort and enjoyed its entertainment. Today, the property is known as Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. It is open year round.

Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls is located on a tributary of Marshalls Creek that flows into the Delaware River. Many other falls grace this section of Pennsylvania, Winona Falls on the Saw Creek, Indian Ladder on Levitt’s Branch, Paradise Falls on the Paradise, Resica Falls and Silver Thread on Dingmans Creek.

Caldeno Cottage
Caldeno Cottage accommodated 25 guests and provided an excellent table. It was located between Lake Lenape and the Water Gap House. This popular boarding home was destroyed when the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area purchased the land to make the Park.

Castle Inn
The Castle Inn was conceived and built by D.D. Drake in1905-06. It was constructed on a property bordering Delaware and present day Waring Drive. It was constructed of concrete, a new building material of the time. The Music Hall section was added in 1909. Entertainment and dancing were favorite activities. The inn accommodated 400 guests. It provided all recreational activities for guests’ use. In 1953, Fred Waring purchased the inn and recorded and conducted music workshops during his ownership. The inn suffered a fire in 1985. The Music Hall was lost. Today, business offices are all that remain of the inn.

Cataract House
The Cataract House started as a small boarding house in the 1860s. Many additions were made to the original home. It was located at Minisink Hills on Route 209. The inn accommodated 200 guests. In 1911, improvements included bowling, billiards, shuffleboard and a pool. It was also known as the Lakeview and later the Pocohanne. It was partially destroyed by fire on April 13, 1973. Today, apartments are all that remain of the once popular resort.

Delaware House
The Delaware House was a first class hotel built opposite the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad station. Built in 1900, it offered all modern conveniences such as cold-water baths on each floor, parlors, writing and smoking rooms. The hotel was beautifully furnished and hardwood encapsulated the interior. In later years, the property was known as Ma’s Hof Brau. The Delaware House was destroyed by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission after they purchased it in 1951.

Delawanna Inn
The Delawanna Inn was located on present day Route

611. It was on the route of the Stroudsburg and Water Gap Trolley line. The inn had three stories and was set on a hill that sloped down and abutted the Forest House. In 1968, the Delawanna was destroyed. The land became part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The Del-Ray
The Del-Ray sat close to the corner of Broad and Main Streets in Water Gap. Its neighbor was the Rinehart. This three story brick home accommodated guests by the night or by the week at $7 or $14 respectively. Good home cooking and large, airy rooms were key attributes.

Drake’s Cottage
Drake’s Cottage, located in Minisink Hills, was a farmhouse converted to a boarding house. It accommodated tourists who were vacationing in the area. It was one and a half miles from the Water Gap station. Operated by Thomas Drake, the Drake Cottage offered home cooked meals.

Eagle Rock Cottage
Eagle Rock Cottage, located at Shawnee, offered all the modern conveniences including boating, bathing and tennis. All food was grown and raised on the property. This small boarding house accommodated 15 guests.

The Edgewood
The Edgewood was located on Minsi Drive in Water Gap. It was built in 1912 by the Newhart family. Originally it had 12 rooms. In 1918 when it was sold and enlarged, it had tripled its capacity. The inn was renamed the New Edgewood. Located next to the Caldeno Golf Course, the property was park like. Over the years, it changed hands many times. The hotel was destroyed by fire on July 7, 1979.

Eilenbergers Bungalows
Eilenbergers Bungalows typified the small vacation boarding house found throughout the Poconos. Located in Minisink Hills, this homey establishment was noted for its fine table.

Forest House
The Forest House was next door to the Bellevue on Delaware Street in Water Gap. Its advertising stated, “the most picturesque hotel in the business district.” The hotel was close to all attractions including swimming and fishing in the Delaware River. The Forest House accommodated 30 guests. Over the garage was an outdoor garden for eating and dancing. The property was purchased and demolished as part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area.

Gap Inn & Indian Head Park
The Gap Inn and Indian Head Park was located on Route 611 on the way to Portland, Pennsylvania. The inn accommodated 15 guests. It had a stand for early auto travelers to purchase food and souvenirs. In the early 1920s the D.L.&W. Railroad and the Stroudsburg Traction Companies line directly in front of the inn. The proprietor was Myrtle Williams.

The Glenwood
The Glenwood was located on Main Street in Water Gap. It was constructed in 1855, originally as the Delaware Water Gap Classical School for boys. After the founder was killed in the Civil War, the school continued for a few years before it was converted to a hotel. At its height in popularity, the Glenwood accommodated over 200 guests. It had a spectacular view, great food, its own farm, tennis courts and later a swimming pool.

The Glenwood
When the Glenwood was converted to a hotel, it was surrounded by 18 acres of well-manicured grounds. The activities not only included a swimming pool but croquet, boating, fishing and an attached livery stable. Today, the Glenwood remains in operation with its fine tradition of hospitality.

The Hillcrest
The Hillcrest was located on Delaware Street in Water Gap next to the Howard House. This four-story brick hotel was constructed in 1914 by the Frank Howard family. It was a stone’s throw away from the railroad station. After the demise of the vacation business, the hotel was converted to apartments. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission purchased the property. The hotel was demolished when the bridge was constructed.

Island Park
Island Park was opposite the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western station. It was a few feet from the shore of the Delaware River. The island was accessed by a walking bridge from shore. Bathing, canoeing and picnicking at Island Park were favorite activities of the guests of various hotels.

Karamac Inn
Karamac Inn was located on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River from Delaware Water Gap. It was accessed by crossing the river at Portland. Built in 1886 as the Far View, it was rebuilt after a fire in 1893. Noted for its fine food and large, airy rooms, the Karamac was a popular resort with all the amenities.

Karamac Inn
The Karamac did not have a pool even after additional alterations in 1923. Instead, guests frequented the shoreline of the Delaware River. This resort attracted a younger clientele than other resorts. Dances were held a few times a week and movies were an added attraction. The Karamac boasted the largest recreation hall at the Gap. After the National Park Service acquired the property in1968, the resort was closed. One year later in 1969, the hotel section was destroyed by fire.

Kittatinny House
Kittatinny House was the first boarding house built in Delaware Water Gap. Started by Antoine Dutot in 1829, it ended in failure. It was purchased by Samuel Snyder in1832. He completed the project into a boarding home that accommodated 25 guests. By 1841, it housed 60 guests after an enlargement by W.A. Broadhead. Improvements were added through the years by the Broadhead family. In 1884-1885, the building was torn down and replaced by the hotel.

Kittatinny House
The Kittatinny House became “The Queen of the Delaware Water Gap Resorts.” Sometimes called the “Kit,” it was the largest and most popular vacation spot on the Delaware River. The water fountain was located at the entrance and greeted guests for many years.

Copyright 2008 Alan Sweeney. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.