A few months ago, I spent an insane amount of money on this vintage Pocono Gardens brochure just to be able to get a high quality scan of the indoor pool rotunda. I had never seen this view before and knew this was my one shot to create a before & after view with the abandoned photo I had.
Yesterday, I came across a postcard of the same pool (top photo) for 25 cents at a flea market. Turns out I had two shots and could’ve saved a lot of money.
The resort ceased operations over 25 years ago and sat abandoned for a while before being burned down by vandals. You know this already - I’ve posted about it probably 10 times on this account.
What I haven’t shared is that Emil Wagner, the famed owner of Pocono Gardens, Mt Airy and Stricklands, ended his own life the day before he was supposed to go to court regarding money he owed in back taxes and overdue mortgage payments. $29 million dollars to be exact. He refused to see his resorts die. A tragic ending for an iconic man.
I still think of him when I wander around or research some of these abandoned properties. He was a visionary of his time and the honeymoon era definitely wouldn’t have been the same without him. RIP Emil Wagner, may your memory live on through the all the collectible brochures and postcards still floating around. 💘
