Recently, photographer Pablo Iglesias Maurer stumbled upon an old matchbook on his desk that immediately caught his attention. The matchbook featured a postcard-like image of a resort complex from the 1960s, prompting Pablo’s curiosity about its current state. This curiosity led him to embark on an incredible photo series titled “Abandoned States.”
One particular vintage photo titled “How to Run A Successful Golf Course” piqued Pablo’s interest, and he decided to visit the location depicted in the image. However, upon arrival, it became apparent that the owner of Penn Hills Resort had not followed the advice given in the photo’s title. Undeterred, Pablo set up his camera at a similar angle and captured a “5-decades-after” shot of the abandoned resort.
This experience sparked a deep fascination within Pablo, prompting him to search for more 1960s photo postcards on eBay. Armed with these vintage images, he embarked on a cross-country journey, capturing present-day photos of these once-beautiful buildings that now stand abandoned, serving as mere echoes of their former glory.
Pablo acknowledges the inherent haziness and idealized nature of the vintage postcards, acknowledging that the depicted places were never as idyllic as they appeared. Aligning the modern-day shots with the vintage postcards can be challenging, but over time, the differences blur, bringing the past and present into sharp focus.
The resulting series of then and now-photographs showcases the remarkable contrast between the past and the present, capturing the haunting beauty of these abandoned locations.
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#1
Lost Splendor: Rediscovering the Poconos Resort’s Decaying Domestic Haven. Whispers of Unforgettable Moments: Echoes from the Poconos Resort’s Neglected Domestic Relic. Enchanting Bliss: The Poconos Resort’s Abandoned Domestic Charm. We couldn’t be happier or have farther fun. See you soon! Love, Lou & Shiela.
#2
Looking down the side of that same 70’s structure.”The ultra-modern structure houses the dining room, blend Chesterfield, lobbies, and services.”
#3
Homowack Lodge’s Welcoming Lane Attendant: A Glimpse into Catskills Hospitality
#4
Birchwood Resort: Where Three Pools Beckon – Indoor, Outdoor, and Lakeside Bliss Pictured then’s beautiful Eagle Lake, at the bottom of the Village Green. Then couples enjoy the white- beach sand, chaise couches, bike and row boats, and fish off its props. Six low- cost all- expenditure package plans include inner swimming, airplane
lifts, pictures, bowling, horseback riding, all downtime sports, and 40 other free conditioning
Transformed Hangar: Bobby’s Unique Hideaway at the Resort’s Heliport
killer Eric Frein made the place his home during a weeks-long manhunt and was ultimately restrained just a gravestone’s gamble from Eagle Lake.
#5
Forgotten Grandeur: Descending Into the Abandoned Theater of the Poconos. The curtain last fell then eventually in the early90
#6
Architectural Marvel: Exploring the Mies van der Rohe-Inspired “Jenny G Wing” at Grossinger’s
#7
Dive into Luxury: Unveiling the Swim n’ Sun Indoor Swimming Pool at Penn Hills Lodge and Cottages
#8
#9
Elegant Serenity: Rediscovering the Cocktail Lounge of a Defunct Poconos Resort
#10
The Magnificent Abandonment: The Pocono Resort’s Once-Grand Theater
#11
Grossinger’s Inner Pool: A Historic Oasis of Glamour and Achievement.From Ross Padluck’s excellent” Lost Architecture of Paradise”. The new inner pool at Grossinger’s was the meridian of the Catskills. Nothing relatively like it had ever been erected, and nothing ever would be again. It represented everything about the Catskills in the 1950s- style extravagance, luxury, euphemism, and celebrity.”
#12
After a fire destroyed the main structure at this resort in the Poconos, a relief went up in the early. It’s a truly striking sight, a modern spaceship put away down deep in the forestland.
#13
Sunbathing and swimming in the Poconos. Postmarked, 1967.” Dear Jonnie If you were only then, I would take you out for a steed- reverse lift- or differently we could go golfing. Be good until I see you. Dr. Waterman.”
#14
#15
Grossinger’s inner tennis center. The reverse of the card is an announcement for Grossinger’s rye chuck. an original chief during the resort’s operation. Resort kingliness Jenny Grossinger lays out the pitch” The fun and fresh air people get then at Grossinger’s really gives them an appetite. Grossinger’s Culinary Delights: A Special Affection for Rye and Pumpernickel Chuck. Now you can get this same healthy, scrumptious chuck at your original food store. Try a loaf. I am sure you will love it.”
#16
The Homowack Lodge now sits abandoned on the southern edge of the celebrated” Borscht Belt.” On its lower position, perhaps the highlight of the place, a four-lane Brunswick bowling alley. It has seen better days. The resort closed in the mid-2000s but lived on briefly, first as a Hasidic resort and incipiently as the point of a summer camp — one which was forced to Closure Imposed: NY Department of Environmental Conservation Deems it Uninhabitable
#17
The browns and reds and oranges of this Poconos dining hall’s carpet have turned green, the color of the moss that is taken its place.
#18
Grossinger’s out-of-door pool, Olympic sized, was erected in 1949 at a cost of$ 400,000( about$ 5 million at the moment’s request.) Long gone are the private wickiups, changing rooms, and couches that used to compass it.
#19
Further of the inner pool at Grossinger’s. The tiled bottom was hotted, and the entire structure was air-conditioned. Above, beautiful mid-century “ sputnik ” chandeliers cast a gleam on the insensibility below. Below the pool are exercise apartments, a spa, a salon, and a host of other amenities. The pool has sat vacant since the late 90s and has fallen beyond form.
