Pocono Mountains, situated in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is a cherished vacation destination with a rich history that has captivated visitors for generations. Popularly referred to as the Poconos, the region is well-known for its stunning natural beauty of dense forests, rolling hills, amazing fall foliage, snow peaks and breathtaking rivers and waterfalls.
The Poconos has a superabundance of recreational activities to entertain you throughout your trip. It has gained continued popularity as a versatile year-round destination with diverse attractions. The Pocono Mountains history is immersed deeply in the culture of multiple Native American tribes whose influence is present in the region even today.
In this blog post, let us journey through time to explore the evolution of the wonderful vacation hotspot, Pocono Mountains. You can visit the Poconos to experience the remarkable historical retreat yourself.
Pocono Mountain History in Brief
The Pocono Mountains served as a home to various Native American tribes from time immemorial. Archaeological evidence even suggests that the oldest Native American settlements in the region dated back to over 10,000 years. And that is quite a long history any vacation spot can have, if you ask me.
Many of the popular locations in Poconos are named either after the original settlers or is derived directly from the Native American language. Few of them include Lehigh Gorge, Lake Wallenpaupack, Shawangunk Mountain and so on. The name Poconos itself is derived from a Munsee word “Pokawachne” which translates as “creek between two hills.”
The Pocono history highlights a heritage to the Native American culture. The region is a source of sustenance and spiritual connection for Native American communities.
The sheer beauty of Poconos allured several Europeans to visit and in the 17th century, European explorers began arriving in the region. The Dutch settled in 1659, followed by the English and the Germans. In 1725, Nicholas Depui became the first permanent resident of Poconos at Shawnee.
History of Poconos Resorts
Poconos is now a resort destination where you can easily book your resort for your vacation or getaway. But it all started in the early 1900s when Anthony Dutot established the first boarding house hotel in 1829. The boarding hotel offered accommodation and meal options to travelers leading to the origin of the successful resort industry in the Poconos. It also led to the growth of resort industry, which keeps evolving in the area to this day.
As cities such as New York and Philadelphia developed and became industrialized, many people sought comfort in the countryside during the summers. The bright scenic terrain and cool breeze of the mountains provided a perfect spot to escape from the noise and pollution of the cities. The construction of Lake Wallenpaupack provided hydroelectric power and developed the Poconos region to become a famous tourist destination. Gradually, resorts became the symbol of luxury vacation in the Poconos.
Poconos As a Honeymoon Destination
Poconos is a renowned honeymoon destination where couples can have uninterrupted romance and privacy. The Poconos romantic resorts provide a scenic atmosphere for couples in love to enjoy a great vacation or getaway together.
During World War II, many soldiers left with their partners and families to the Pocono Mountains as it had a romantic appeal for them. Then, in 1945, Rudolf Von Hoevenberg started a venture consisting of cabins and a main lodge and named it as The Farm on the Hill. This became the first honeymoon resort of the Poconos. In the 1940s and 50s, luxury lodgings were established that led the existing resort business in Poconos to flourish.
Later, the heart-shaped tub was introduced first at Caesars Cove Haven, Lakeville PA, in 1963. This inspired a flood of publicity, which resulted in Pocono Mountains being affectionately referred to as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World.” Later, in the 1980s, whitewater rafting, outlet shopping, golf and other attractions were introduced and several resorts started supporting this trend to attract more people to the Poconos. Gradually, romantic suites in Poconos popped up everywhere in the region to tend to the needs of romantic couples.
If you are a couple planning on a vacation or romantic getaway, you can check out the best honeymoon suites and romantic resorts in Poconos to know your options.
Places to Explore for History Geeks and Culture Enthusiasts
Poconos is famous not only for resorts or exciting activities, but also for the historical treasure it uncovers. If you are a history geek or culture enthusiast, you might be looking for places to explore the rich history of Poconos. Below I have suggested a few top places you can visit.
Quiet Valley Historical Farm:
Quiet Valley Historical Farm was established in 1974 as a unique, historical German farmstead in Stroudsburg. You can travel back in history by visiting this fabulous farm. Quiet Valley Historical Farm will give you a chance to learn the life of 18th century German farmers who settled in Quiet Valley. The skill and knowledge of the ancient farmers are still preserved here. Here I have provided the location of the farm for your reference.
| Location | 347 Quiet Valley Road Stroudsburg, PA 18360 |
Asa Packer Mansion Museum:
Asa Packer Mansion Museum, built in 1861 in Victorian Italianate architecture style, was the mansion of the philanthropist and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. The mansion was open to the public as a museum from 1956. It was recognized for commemorating the history of the USA and visitors can observe the contents of the mansion in its originality.
| Location | Packer Hill Ave, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 |
Pocono Indian Museum:
Pocono Indian Museum, established in 1840, is dedicated exclusively to showcase only the history of the Delaware Indians. The museum displays ancient artifacts, weapons and tools of the Delaware Indian tribe that were used for thousands of years. The gift shop of the museum offers various items of Native American origin like their jewelry, pottery and dolls.
| Location | 5905 Milford Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302 |
Old Jail Museum:
The Old Jail Museum was built in 1871 to house the jail inmates during their serving time. It is a two-story jailhouse that is open to the public to witness the history of its past inmates. The museum is full of intriguing stories and structures like the hand prints on the wall, hanging of seven Molly Maguires, dungeons and so on.
| Location | 128 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 |
Poconos Historical Trolley Tour:
One of the best ways to explore the enticing Poconos is through the historical trolley tour. Poconos Historical Trolley Tour operates outside of the Castle Inn that was built in 1906. The trolley takes the passengers to local landmarks such as The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in a one-hour ride. The trolley features authentic interiors and Fred Waring’s classic music.
| Location | 20 Delaware Ave, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 |
Pocono Festivals & Culture Attraction
Cultural festivals are a great way to remember and celebrate the rich customs and traditions of the past. Below are a few festivals and cultural attractions that are exclusive and traditional to Poconos.
Shawnee Indian Festival:
The Shawnee Indian Fall Festival is an annual celebration hosted by the Shawnee Indian Mission Foundation to celebrate the history and culture of the major Shawnee tribe of Poconos. The festival features live music, dance by Native Americans, pony rides, shopping for hand-made gifts, local food and drinks.
Quiet Valley Harvest Festival:
The Quiet Valley Harvest Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated at the Quiet Valley Historical Farm. The harvest festival shows demonstrations of various heritage crafts and trades, traditional cooking methods, common 1800s activities like candle dipping, weaving, spinning, tanning, Civil War encampment, wagon rides and folk entertainment.
Conclusion
Poconos has an enduring legacy of transforming from a home to the various tribes of Native Americans to becoming one of the best vacation destinations in the world. The region is filled with a rich history and a unique cultural heritage that is absolutely awe-inspiring.
Travel to the Poconos and immerse yourself into and appreciate the unique journey to this timeless vacation destination.
The Poconos is home to a number of incredible vacation rentals and HolidayKeepers is one of the best rental platforms that offer exceptional amenities. Get in touch with us to know more about our top vacation rentals.
FAQs
Q1: Where exactly is Pocono Mountains positioned in Pennsylvania?
The Pocono is situated in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania. The area is spread across multiple counties like Monroe County, Pike County, Wayne County and Carbon County.
Q2: When can the first settlements in the Poconos be traced back to?
The Pocono Mountains housed various Native American tribes from time immemorial. However, archaeological evidence suggests that the first settlements can be traced back to over 10,000 years.
Q3: How far is the Pocono Mountains from New York City?
Poconos Mountains are located about 80 to 120 miles northwest to New York City. It takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach Poconos from New York City by driving.
Q4: From which word is the name Pocono derived from?
“Pocono” is derived from “Pokawachne,” a Munsee word that translates to “creek between two hills.” The Munsee people were a subgroup of the Lenape Native American tribe who lived in the Delaware region.
With a decade of expertise in travel and hospitality, Aman Mehrotra, Senior Editor and Travel Manager at HolidayKeepers, is known for his compelling storytelling and insightful travel content. He skillfully combines strategic marketing wisdom with engaging narratives, covering everything from undiscovered destinations to the latest trends in vacation rentals. Aman’s writings resonate with both adventure enthusiasts and those seeking leisurely retreats. His global perspective and innovative approach make him a valuable asset to the HolidayKeepers team and a favorite among readers seeking inspiration and practical advice for their travels.
