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Mid-Atlantic Lost Ski Areas:

Henryville House Retreat

Henryville, Pennsylvania

Historical Overview - reported by M. Scott Smith, DCSki Editor

Kevin Whipple describes an area in Henryville, Pennsylvania that once offered skiing:

    “There was once a rope tow at the now-defunct Henryville House Retreat in Henryville, PA in Monroe County.  The main hotel (now demolished) was at the intersection of Route 191 and Route 715.  The rope tow slope is very easy to find as the new Henryville Post Office is located right at the base of the slope, with rope tow components right next to the parking lot.

    The Henryville House Retreat was a very historic and famous Pocono retreat dating back to the 1700’s.  The old hotel, which was sadly torn down, played host to many famous individuals in the Pocono heydays.  Presidents Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt stayed there, and Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley used to perform.  All food at the resort was supplied by an on-site farm.  In more recent times as a condemned structure, it was home to some of the most famous ghost stories in the Poconos (broke in there once myself) - before being demolished sometime around 2002-03.

    There were several outbuildings from the hotel on this compound.  One of which was a very large pool house, which in the winter months served as the base lodge.  A friend of mine learned to ski on that slope in the early 1970’s (right before closing its operation).  He recalls there being a nice picnic grove in the pine trees right at the top of the tow where skiers would mingle, and then a narrow and semi-steep trail that dropped from this grove to the base of the main slope.  I’m not sure this was technically a resort-maintained ski run, as this appears to have been a one-wide-slope with rope tow operation.  This trail was probably local-maintained.  He tells me the base lodge/pool house was a happening place back then with a bar, dance hall, pool tables, and ping pong.

    The skiing was primarily just one wide slope that descended from a pine grove at the top of the rope tow that ran on its own liftline.  Probably a 100 foot vertical drop, if that.  Looks like very bland skiing but a great place to learn the sport.  I don’t think there was any snowmaking or night skiing but I could be wrong.  The slope remains somewhat clear today, with the Henryville Post Office sitting at the base of the old slope.  The base components for the tow are still standing next to the parking lot.  The towline runs to the left of the main slope (skier’s right).  There are still some wooden towers with sheave wheels running along the line, and the summit components and drive for the tow are still at the top of the hill.  I can almost picture Teddy Roosevelt himself strapping on the hickory sticks for a run.”

Kevin provides the following photos, which he took during a trip in 2004.

 
A satellite image showing the rope tow location as the red line. The slope can partially be seen above this line. The yellow circle shows the location of the base lodge/pool house, and the green circle represents the location of the main hotel biulding. Routes 191 and 715 are labeled here, with the cursor directly on their intersection. Image provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
A topographic view of the hill with the approximate location of the rope tow. Image provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
The bottom remnants of the tow, with the new post office beyond this. Notice the sheave wheel still mounted on the telephone pole. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
Looking up the slope from the base of the tow. The main slope descends from the pine grove. You can make out the towline to the left of the slope. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
Looking down the towline from about 2/3 of the way up (still very clear). Notice the wooden tower with sheave wheel still attached on the ground. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
Looking down the main slope from right below the pine grove. The lower rope tow station is to the right, with the Henryville Post Office at the base. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
The top drive components for the tow which was an old tractor. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

 
The main slope as it descends from the pines near the top of the tow. Photo provided by Kevin Whipple.

Kevin Whipple provided the following image in September, 2008:
A 3-d view from Google Earth of the Henryville House with lifts and facilities labeled. Image provided by Kevin Whipple.

If you have any additional information about this ski area, please contact DCSki's Editor, or add your comments by scrolling below. To view historical information about other lost ski areas in the Mid-Atlantic region, click here. Note that DCSki's Lost Ski Areas section contains recollections pieced together by DCSki readers. We try to continually develop a clearer and more accurate picture of closed ski areas, but understand that some of the details reported on this page may be inaccurate.

Reader Comments

The views and opinions expressed in DCSki Article Comments are strictly those of the comment authors and have not been reviewed or approved by DCSki. If you believe a comment is inaccurate or inappropriate, please contact DCSki's Editor.

Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Kevin Creamer
January 15, 2008 at 11:52 am
I have no idea how my brother found your website but could add a ton of information and stories about Henryville and the Henryville House as my parent's property adjoined the Henryville House's land. My two brothers and I had an awesome childhood in that location and really enjoyed your comments.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Daniela
July 14, 2009 at 4:41 pm
HI I LIVED IN PA MAY YEARS NEAR THE HENRYVILL HOUSE. I DID NOT SEE IT TORN DOWN IN 2002 I LIVED HERE TILL 2005 WHICH THEN I MOVED TO FLORIDA. I REMEMBER IT BEING ROPED OFF WITH YELLOW TAPE. LIKE THEY USE IN CRIME SCEANS. WINDOWS WERE BROKEN AND POLICE WOULD NOT LET ANYONE ON THE PROPERTY. I WOULD OF LOVED TO GO INSIDE TO CHECK IT OUT. I DID HERE THOW THAT SOME CARPNTERS HAD GONE IN TO TRY TO REPAIR SOME THINGS WHILE THEY STILL HAD SOMEONE TAKING CARE OF THE GROUNDS AND HOTEL THE CARPENTERS SLEPT THERE ONE NIGHT AND WAS AWOKEN BY SOME NOAISE AND FOUND THERE TOOLS MOVED AND SOME BEING THROWN AROUND AND SO THE FLED OUT OF THERE NEVER TO GO BACK GAIN. NOW HOW TRUE THAT STORY IS I DON
T KNOW IT IS ONLY WHAT I HEARD. I HAVE PASSED BY THE BIULDING MANY, MANY TIMES. I KNOW IT SITS IN RUINS NOW BUT LAST I HEARD I WAS NOT TORN DOWN. I WOULD LOVE FOR A PARANORMAL GROUP TO GO IN THERE AND CHECK IT OUT LIKE PA PARANORMAL SOCIETY OR TAPS . THE HOUSE HAS LOADS OF HISTROY BEHIND IT. B NEVER A PARANORMAL GROUP TO CHECK IT REALLY OUT. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING IT THEY COULD DO THAT. I DID LOVE YOUR STORY. DANIELA RUSSO
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by kevin
July 15, 2009 at 10:48 am
in response to Daniela's comment: the hotel building itself was torn down in 2002. There still remains some out-buildings, including a large building that sits at the rear of the property, but the condemned main building is gone. You can see the old hotel in the black and white aerial photo, but it is gone in the more recent GoogleEarth image. The ghost stories from this place where among the most popular ghost stories in the poconos.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Scott Wien
August 14, 2010 at 11:47 am
Hi - we vacationed at Henryville House during the 70's. 10 or so families from NJ would descent on the hotel for a couple of days of rest and relaxation - to be honest we did not get a lot of rest - the kids played all day/night - either skiing, togonning, or sledding on the local hill - and or we would travel over to Timber Hill Ski area - (later called Alpine Mountain I think?) or Camelback.

There was no real night skiing operation - although there was a light a the bottom of the hill. We would go through sets and sets of gloves on the old rope tow - being pulled up through the pine forrest only to descent in true bliss down the hill trying not to crash through the hay bails and onto 191.

For entertainment at night - the owners would setup steeplechase rases which were so much fun for the entire family. Food was excellent and the hospitality was fantastic.

Everytime the group get's together we always reminice about the years we spend at this little slice of Pocono Heaven.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Joyce
September 11, 2010 at 10:57 pm
When I was a teen in the early 70's my family vacationed a couple of summers at Henryville House. We'd stay in the 2nd strip of units on the hill. I remember hanging out at the snack bar, pool, and evening entertainment like 'night at the races'. There used to be a pond on the other side of the highway where there was a rowboat tied up that you could take out. The dining room was all windows and they served great meals. In the main building, the entertainment director was always hanging around w/ideas of what to do. The owners at the time was a large family from Philly - lots of towheaded kids.
Was visiting the area this weekend and passed by. It was sad to see the present site. It was a lively place in its heyday.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by mike lewis
February 5, 2011 at 9:12 pm
i was a waiter and musician at the Henryville House during the summer of 1973...it was my first gig and i visited the grounds a few weeks ago...sadly i don't stay in touch with anyone i knew then....Mrs. Parks? Karen Maloznick?
mikelewistpt@yahoo.com
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by amanda fisk
February 5, 2011 at 11:55 pm
was this the home of patrick henry?
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Erin
April 10, 2011 at 1:59 am
I had actually broke in I climbed some scaffolding n went in threw a window into the dinning room it was absolutely beautiful even though it was graffiti n beat up by idiots u got the sense of loneliness when u were on the dining room u just felt sad like it was once so beautiful n had life n now just dead very sad the basement was kind of creepy the upstairs though felt like kids u could almost imagine pol running around n playing n just having a good time then leaving it's like u didn't wanna let go I wanted to buy the place so bad but of course I was just a kid :-(
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by joe velardi
June 7, 2011 at 8:39 am
the henryville house is still standing where it was back in the day and has not been torn down. i pass it everyday on my way to school
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by kevin
June 10, 2011 at 4:54 pm
once again, in response to joe velardi's comment... the main hotel building HAS been torn down, back in 2002... there IS still some of the other out-buildings remaining on the property when last I was through there, including a large structure to the rear of the property... please refer to the new verses old satellite images above
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by John Dean II
June 30, 2011 at 10:24 pm
1978 was the last year of operation for the Henryville House. I went there with a church youth group for a week-end in February that year. The following year we had to go somewhere else - Fernwood I believe, because it was closed.

There was snow on the ground when we were there and we used the ski slope for sledding. We would lay on the sled and grab the rope tow to catch a ride to the top. I went through two pair of gloves on that rope tow.

Our week-end included meals which we took in the main hotel. There was also a bar and a jukebox there as well. We did not stay in the main building. We stayed across the road and up the hill in the second set of motel rooms.

I just looked at the place on google earth. The two rows motel rooms are still there, but the main building is gone. The building left was behind the main building and was used to house summer help at one time - so we were told at the time.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by John Dean II
June 30, 2011 at 10:24 pm
1978 was the last year of operation for the Henryville House. I went there with a church youth group for a week-end in February that year. The following year we had to go somewhere else - Fernwood I believe, because it was closed.

There was snow on the ground when we were there and we used the ski slope for sledding. We would lay on the sled and grab the rope tow to catch a ride to the top. I went through two pair of gloves on that rope tow.

Our week-end included meals which we took in the main hotel. There was also a bar and a jukebox there as well. We did not stay in the main building. We stayed across the road and up the hill in the second set of motel rooms.

I just looked at the place on google earth. The two rows motel rooms are still there, but the main building is gone. The building left was behind the main building and was used to house summer help at one time - so we were told at the time.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Joan G
March 4, 2012 at 4:00 pm
My grandparents lived up the road within walking distance and I have many childhood memories of the Henryville House and swimming in the pool.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Doug Singer
July 30, 2012 at 7:30 pm
To the guy who said his house was next to the Henryville house,I too lived across the street from it on Rt715.Going to Barrett elementary I use to catch the bus with two brothers down at base of slope. Really like too know if this is you or your brothers.I now live in Atlanta. dougsinger54@yahoo.com
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Nick Cardinale
July 31, 2012 at 11:25 pm
The Historic Henryville House building was razed in 2004. The annex building remains standing to this day. My family owns the house next door to the property. I stayed there every summer of my life until it closed for good in the early 1980s. I have a Facebook page dedicated to Henryville House called the "Henryville House Memories Page" that is accessible to all. The page has photo backup of my timeline. I miss the old place terribly...some of the best memories of my life. A sin it could not have been saved.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Valerie Alba Lindeman
September 13, 2012 at 7:37 pm
My father, 82 now & his parents vacationed there for 2 weeks each summer in his youth. I just saw pictures of the hay ride and the bar on the opposite side of the road. My father has very fond memories of his time there, it sounds like a relaxing place to have been!
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Valerie A L
September 13, 2012 at 7:40 pm
My father, 82 now & his parents vacationed there for 2 weeks each summer in his youth. I just saw pictures of the hay ride and the bar on the opposite side of the road. My father has very fond memories of his time there, it sounds like a relaxing place to have been!
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by Anthony Palmisano
September 27, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I just found this site and I am very sad to see that Henryville House has been gone for sometime now. When I was twelve years old back in 1971 I spent a week with my parents, brother, and cousins. I remember that vacation like it was yestersay. I remember the working farm, the livingroom which was very cozy, the diningroom being very spacious, the swimming pool and this little kitten that I fell in love with. I would play with the kitten for hours and then before we left someone told my parents that the kitten was accidentally run over by a car. I was heartbroken.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat NO TRESPASSING - posted by DCSki Reader
September 29, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Anyone found trespassing on the property will be prosecuted.

PROPERTY IS UNDER 24 HR. SURVILLENCE
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by HVdad
September 30, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Lighten up junior.
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by kevin
January 11 at 5:59 pm
lol... so true... and you get a wonderful view from the very public post office parking lot... lift remnants next 2 parking lot... it's a field, not fort knox
 
Comments on Henryville House Retreat - posted by John Dean
February 21 at 12:19 am
Hey Nick, I tried to find that page on facebook and could not find it. Did you re-name it by chance?
 

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