Annual June Picnic The Williams House Pocono Rocks Hawley

Volume 10, Issue 6
Pocono Rocks
July 11, 7:00 p.m., the ELC, Hawley
A geological history of the Pocono Plateau by geologist
Dr Frank Pazzaglia
Hawley Opera House
August 19, 1:00 p.m., the ELC, Hawley
A history of the Hawley Opera House
Refreshment Committee – Bea Martin and Kristen Brown
Annual September Awards Banquet
Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort
Details to follow soon
Annual June Picnic
The Williams House
Thank you to all who attended
the annual June Picnic at the
Williams House on June 17.
The Society was able to open
the doors of the Williams House to
interested members and friends –
and the following road-trip to the Paupack Cemetery,
the Pellett House and the fort were well attended.
Page 2
The following text is reprinted, source:
THE HAWLEY TIMES
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1945
Another Chapter Added in History of Hawley Hotel
One of the most important real estate transactions in Hawley was consummated this week when the
Bergen Corporation, a Pennsylvania capitalization, sold the Hawley Community Hotel to Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Von Hake.
The hotel, which promised to be the outstanding business in this community, we nt “on the rocks”
several years ago.
The idea for this hotel was created in 1928, the method of financing to be through the sale of stock.
The building cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. About $62,000 of stock was sold when the depression
hit the country and it became impossible to raise enough money to complete the project and the builder
through court procedure, gained possession of the property. The building was later sold at Sheriff’s sale, and
the ownership rested in the Bergen Corporation, who disposed of it to the Von Hakes.
As far as can be learned, there are no definite plans for completing the building at the present time as
Mr. Von Hake, who is associated with the Fox Film Co., is in South Africa, in the interest of his firm, and
Mrs. Von Hake is in Hawley.
The building was designed by Lewis Welsh, a native of Hawley, who is a well -known architect. It is of
the English Manor type, exceptionally well designed and has 54 bedrooms , dining rooms which seat 150 – 200
persons, lounges, etc. It also has considerable parking space.
Had this hotel been completed, it would have been one of the outstanding hostelries in [illegible].
At various times plans for the acquisition of this property were made, but nothing materialized.
The people of the community hope that the building will soon be completed and put to use as it would
be a valuable addition to the entire community.
( continued, next page )
COLLECTIONS
COMMITTEE
Pictured, Ann Wiedenman
holds a recently donated memorabilia
item from Camp Pocono, a boys camp
on Lake Wallenpaupack from 1920 –
1969. The pewter anniversary plate
was donated by camp alumnus Dr
William Stouch of Vermont.
The Collections Committee
plans a Camp Pocono exhibit in the
Wallenpaupack Visitors Center for
Spring / Summer of 2016.
Also recently donated were
several hundred photographs of the
region by Tom Wren.
Page 3
-
Resume of Project
On Sept. 13, 1928, a number of influential citizens, recognizing
the need for a new hotel, began communication with the Hockenbury
System, Inc., of Harrisburg, Pa., counselors and directors in community
enterprises. It resulted in extensive surveys of the situation, and after
being presented to an official board, the plan was accepted and the
campaign begun.
A representative of the company, G. W. Swelgert, was sent here to
conduct the campaign and raise the necessary funds.
The campaign was launched by meetings being held frequently.
“Pep” talks and dinners were given and every citizen became very
enthusiastic. The slogan was “A failure will advertise to the world that
Hawley has ‘passed out.’” and the pass word, “We won’t fail.”
On the opening night of the campaign, Tuesday, November 6,
1928, $57,000 was reported. On November 14, 1928, amid a scene of
wild enthusiasm the announcement was made at a meeting in the
Maenerchor Hall that the intensive campaign had ended in victory; and
that the drive for a new hotel had gone “over the top”. At this dinner
were Eugene and Andrew Casey, of the well-known Hotel Casey,
Scranton. They each in turn congratulated Hawley on its new hotel.
On November 22, 1928, a reorganized sales force took up the
task of securing the remaining $30,000 needed for the completion of the
hotel. Mr. Swelgert, the Hockenbury representative, returned to his
home carrying with him congratulations for his splendid work in handling
the campaign.
On December 13, 1928, a meeting was held at which it was announced that the charter was expected
soon.
The contract was awarded to the late J. W. Murray contractor, on September 13, 1929, his bid being
$92,500.
On September 23, 1929, ground was broken for the new enterprise. Rapid progress was then made
until the depression when work was forced to be discontinued due to the lack of funds.
This article’s subject, the Hawley
landmark now called The
Settlers Inn (circa 1980),
currently contains 23 bedrooms.
The original design contained 54
bedrooms with shared
bathrooms. The building first
opened to the public in 1948.
Page 4
NAME:
Wallenpaupack Historical Society has volunteer
opportunities available for people interested in
participating in the mission of “Keeping the
history of Lake Wallenpaupack alive and
accessible for present and future generations.”
PHONE NUMBER:
VOLUNTEER INTERESTS
There are many activities that are conducted by
the Society, such as organizing and displaying
collections and artifacts, working outdoors on
upkeep of the Williams House or historic
Purdytown and Taft Cemeteries, organizing
annual programs and fundraisers, writing and
transcribing articles for the monthly newsletter,
updating the Society’s website, and serving on the
Board of Directors.
[ ] Organizing or displaying Society artifacts
[ ] Facilities upkeep for the Williams House and
historic Purdytown and Taft Cemeteries
[ ] Planning special programs or fundraising events
[ ] Contributing to the monthly newsletter
For anyone willing to donate your time, WHS
has a place for you to contribute either for a
single project or for an ongoing basis.
[ ] Website maintenance
If you would like to volunteer, please complete
this form and mail to:
[ ] Serving on the Board of Directors
[ ] Yearly financial auditing
[ ] Other interests such as:
WHS, P.O. Box 345, Paupack PA 18451
Membership benefits include a monthly newsletter, special notices of upcoming programs of interest, and the right
to vote in the corporation. Memberships are for the calendar year. New membership applications received in the
final three months of the fiscal year (October, November and December) are automatically
extended until the end of December in the following year.
Please complete the following form and mail with your payment, payable to Wallenpaupack Historical Society, to:
Wallenpaupack Historical Society
P.O. Box 345
Paupack, PA 18451
[ ] Student $5.00
[ ] Individual $15.00
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[ ] Corporate $50.00
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