Skytop Lodge

The hotel provides the public with little information about its history. Our team researches the hotel's past, from the very beginning, verifying its exact opening date and providing an overview of its history up to the present day.?If you have any useful information and would like to share it, please send it to archives@famoushotels.org.?Thank you This is what we know so far (attention: unverified history!): From the careful siting of the lodge at the base of the West Mountains in the Poconos Mountains, to the 30 miles of trails that traverse its 5,500-acre site, Skytop has always been inextricably linked to its natural surroundings. Even the golf course, where deer will quietly graze, was designed to take advantage of the natural topography. The lodge’s 1928 Dutch colonial-style stone manor overlooks Skytop Lake and guests are treated to splendid views in every direction. A full-service resort, Skytop offers visitors an endless array of recreational activities year-round, from kayaking in summer to skiing in winter. Experts are on hand to provide instruction in golf, fly fishing, and shooting, and the lodge’s own naturalist leads walkers and hikers through pristine wilderness areas. (185 rooms and suites) detailed: Although its natural stonework appears to have shared its origins with the ancient mountains that surround it (an image which was visualized by the original planners), Skytop actually began as the idea of a few farsighted individuals in 1925. In the days of the "roaring twenties," our nation's prosperity following World War 1 was still at it's height, and no one could have predicted the economic collapse which would occur in just a few more years. There was optimism for the future, and big plans and ideas were common. Four men, John Stubbs, Frederic Smith, Earl Mayne, and Sam Packer - conceived the idea of building a grand resort in the Poconos, on a high plateau 3 miles north of the village of Canadensis. Eight contiguous tracts of land, totaling 2,500 acres, much of which was abandoned farm land covered with brush and stunted trees, were purchased from local residents. A landscape architect was hired to decide on the location of the lodge and golf course. The decision - with the lodge overlooking Skytop Lake, picturesque West Mountain rising intimately and clearly visible in the background, and the grounds right outside the lodge remarkably level and free of large trees for the construction of the golf course - proved to be perfect. To this day, all these elements continue to provide the highest degree of sublime scenic beauty and natural balance. The construction of the golf course began in March, 1926, and about a year later, ground was broken for the lodge. In June, 1928, both were opened. In 1930, the lake was enlarged to its present size by the completion of a new dam. The full story of financial hurdles, construction problems, personal doubts, dogged determination, and eventual successful completion of this venture is related by Frederic Smith in his book, Skytop - An Adventure, available in the Tea Room. In this account, Mr. Smith also tells of additional Skytop projects which soon followed, such as the construction of cottages and the acquisition of the 2,000-acre Goose Pond area. This tract was added not only to enlarge the estate, but "to provide extensive facilities for hiking through a mountain wilderness area during all seasons of the year" and to "foster the increase and growth of large and small game for which Pike County is famous". It is interesting to note in Mr. Smith's historical account that, although golf was considered by the planners as the primary outdoor recreational activity upon which to focus attention, hiking was also given great emphasis from the very onset of Skytop's development. Trails to all of Skytop's scenic areas were laid out and maps were drawn to enable the lodge's guests to visit "places of quiet beauty and restful charm." Today Skytop continues to invite its guests to enjoy the estate's incomparable beauty and natural diversity, not only on their own, but under the guidance of a professional naturalist who reveals many of nature's hidden secrets. The preceding article was taken from the book Scenes of Skytop, The Natural History of a Pocono Treasure which was written by our naturalist John Serrao and published by Skytop Lodge. You can learn more about our nature programs by visiting our nature programs page. Reservations: 800.617.2389 Comments or Questions Homepage - What Is Skytop? - Accommodations - Activities - Packages & Specials - Dining Business Info - Weddings - The Skytop Store - General Info - Become a Member of The Skytop Club Copyright © 1999-2000 Skytop Lodge All Rights Reserved.