The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Looks Back on the Last 75 Years Events from 1934-

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Looks Back on the Last 75 Years Events from 1934-1950

02/02/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alicia M. Quinn
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Phone: 570.421.5791
alicia@poconos.org

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Looks Back on the Last 75 Years
Events from 1934-1950

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA, February 2, 2009 – In recognition of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau's (PMVB) 75^th Anniversary Year, twelve monthly articles will feature key periods in time over the last 75 years, focusing on the history, events and people that have helped to shape tourism here in the Pocono Mountains. From the PMVB's organization in 1934, it has had a profound impact on the region, its' people and visitors from all over the world.

The following will take a closer look at the years 1934 to 1950.

Representatives of ten major resorts in the Pocono Mountains joined together in July of 1934 in an effort to better promote the region and its unique and exciting tourism attractions. Edward C. Jenkins of the Inn at Buckhill Falls served as the group's initial spokesman. The venture was originally an experiment in which each resort would pool their advertising resources and sell the Pocono Mountains as a whole, thus bringing together the Pocono Mountains to compete with other regions rather then individually.

Lake Wallenpaupack, constructed through the 1920s by PPL as a source of hydroelectric power, gained prominence in the 1930s as a top fishing location in the Northeast, especially among local residents. As the potential of the Lake as a tourism destination was realized, Hawley residents and PPL took action. Docks were licensed in 1939, a 1948 information booklet was published focusing on the recreational opportunities of the lake and surrounding areas and in 1950, resorts such as Hotel Pocopaupack (now Cove Haven) could offer motorboat licenses to out-of-state guests.

It was also during this time that the Pocono Mountains golf courses hosted legendary greats and famous players such as Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Tommy Bolt, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball and Jerry Barber, among others. The region has hosted some of the first PGA championships, including the 21st PGA Championship in 1938 at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, in which Paul Runyan shot 24-under par to beat out favorite Sam Snead.

The month of June was the time to celebrate the blooming of the state flower, the Mountain Laurel. The Pocono Mountains featured its Laurel Blossom Festival, a popular annual event that began in the early 1930s, lasting off and on into the 1990s. The Laurel Blossom Festival was well known to local residents and featured several women as princesses of the festival. Seen as a top social event in the region, many well known local business owners attended as the Laurel Blossom Queen was announced at the event's coronation.

During World War II, many GI's took their leave with their girlfriends and families in the Pocono Mountains. The area took on a romantic appeal for these young people, and many returned after the war as honeymooners. In 1945, Rudolf Von Hoevenberg opened a rustic operation consisting of some cabins and a main lodge, called The Farm on the Hill, the first honeymoon resort of the Pocono Mountains. Life Magazine later proclaimed the Pocono Mountains the "honeymoon capital of the world".

The four-season appeal of the Pocono Mountains was enhanced with the opening of the first commercial ski area in Pennsylvania, Big Boulder Ski Area, in 1946. In 1950, the first patent application for the making of snow by blowing water through a nozzle was filed. A few years later in 1956, the system was perfected and in place at Big Boulder Ski Area. This first helped to establish the Pocono Mountains as a bonafide ski destination.

About the Pocono Mountains
With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania's Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers. Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 35 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks.

Any time of year is a good time to visit the Pocono Mountains, located within driving distance of most major East Coast cities. This region teeming with history offers year-round cultural tours and art exhibitions, abundant antiquing and brand-name shopping and a full calendar of festivals showcasing the heritage, music and food of the Pocono Mountains.

Even the most discerning traveler will find comfortable accommodations in the Pocono Mountains, which offers an eclectic mix of resorts, distinctive properties and quaint, country inns and bed and breakfasts.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). The Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.

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