Abandoned States: Places In Idyllic 1960s Postcards Have Transformed Into Scenes Of Abandonment
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On the inside of the matchbook, some text: "Swim n' Sun Indoor Swimming Pool at Penn Hills Lodge and Cottages. The Poconos' Finest Modern Resort." (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, matchbook publisher unknown.) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The indoor pool at Grossinger's, which opened in 1958. Elizabeth Taylor attended the pool's opening, and Florence Chadwick - the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions - took the first dip in it. From Ross Padluck's excellent "Lost Architecture of Paradise": "...The new indoor pool at Grossinger's was the zenith of the Catskills. Nothing quite like it had ever been built, and nothing ever would be again. It represented everything about the Catskills in the 1950s-style: extravagance, luxury, modernism and celebrity." (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by Bill Bard Associates.) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More of the indoor pool at Grossinger's. The tiled floor was heated, the entire structure air conditioned. Above, beautiful mid-century "sputnik" chandeliers cast a glow on the swimmers below. Below the pool are exercise rooms, a gym, salon and a host of other amenities. The pool has sat vacant since the late 90's and has fallen beyond repair. (Photo by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, historical photo published by Bill Bard Associates.)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunbathing and swimming in the Poconos. Postmarked, 1967. "Dear Jonnie: If you were only here, I would take you out for a horse-back ride - or else we could go golfing. Be good until I see you. Dr. Waterman." (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by Kardmaster Brochures.)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The caption on the back of this Pocono resort's postcard touts this theater as the "resort world's most modern showplace." With a capacity of 1200, it remains splendorous even in disrepair. This postcard is also postmarked, and filled out. "Having a lovely weekend here. All pleasure - only exercise is rowing a boat and playing shuffleboard! Nice to be lady-like and not "rushing" about! We will see you soon." (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by Kardmaster Brochures.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a fire destroyed the main building at this resort in the Poconos, a replacement went up in the early 70's. It is a truly striking sight, a modernist spaceship tucked away deep in the woods. (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard by Kardmasters)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cocktail lounge of a now-defunct resort in the Poconos. "Peaceful relaxation - healthful recreation," says the caption on the rear of the card. (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by Kardmaster Brochures)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Homowack Lodge now sits abandoned on the southern edge of the famed "Borscht Belt." On its lower level, maybe the highlight of the place, a four-lane Brunswick bowling alley. It has seen better days. The resort closed in the mid-2000's but lived on briefly, first as a Hasidic resort and lastly as the site of a summer camp—one which was forced to shut down after the NY Department of Environmental Conservation deemed it uninhabitable. (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by Bill Bard Associates)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grossinger's indoor tennis center. The rear of the postcard is an ad for Grossinger's rye bread, a local staple during the resort's operation. Resort royalty Jenny Grossinger lays out the pitch: "The fun and fresh air people get here at Grossinger's really gives them an appetite. They love all of our food - and a particular favorite is our Grossinger's rye and pumpernickel bread. Now you can get this same healthy, flavorful bread at your local food store. Try a loaf. I'm sure you'll love it." (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, postcard published by FPC advertising)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lane attendant at the Homowack lodge in the Catskills. (Photograph by Pablo Iglesias Maurer, before image courtesy of the Catskills Institute at Brown University).
