Skytop, Pennsylvania · Founded 1928 · Building: 1927–1928
A 1928 Pocono Mountains lodge built from native fieldstone on an estate that grew from 2,500 acres to 5,500 acres.
Skytop Lodge opened on June 16, 1928, after a group of five investors developed a high-Pocono resort on land assembled from eight former farm tracts. Architect John Muller designed the Dutch Colonial Revival main lodge, while the Olmsted Brothers planned the grounds and Robert White designed the 18-hole golf course. The property now operates as a 5,500-acre resort owned and run by Skytop Lodge Corp.
John Stubbs, Charles Thompson, Frederic Smith, Earl Mayne, and Samuel Packer organize a plan for a Pocono resort and purchase eight contiguous tracts totaling approximately 2,500 acres.
Source: Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"; Skytop Lodge historical feature
The founders create Pocono Hotels Corporation to finance the project and Sky Top Lodges, Inc. to manage construction and operations.
Source: Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"
Construction begins on the Robert White-designed 18-hole golf course.
Source: Skytop Lodge historical feature; Historic Appraisal Services, "Showcase Series: Skytop Lodge"
Construction begins on the main lodge, designed by architect John Muller, while the Olmsted Brothers plan the surrounding landscape.
Source: Society of Architectural Historians, SAH Archipedia; Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"
Skytop Lodge and its 18-hole golf course open.
Source: Skytop Lodge historical feature; Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"
Skytop Lodge joins Historic Hotels of America.
Source: Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"
Skytop Lodge Corp. continues to own and operate the 5,500-acre, 193-room destination resort.
Source: OTC Markets, Skytop Lodge Corp. company profile
Every claim gets rated. A business's own website can never earn "documented."
The reviewed resort histories identify five founders: John Stubbs, Charles Thompson, Frederic Smith, Earl Mayne, and Samuel Packer. Howard Jenkins was not identified among the founders in the sources reviewed for this audit.
The reviewed architectural and hotel-history sources identify John Muller as architect of the main lodge. The Olmsted Brothers are credited with landscape design; this audit found no support for attributing the lodge to a Rossiter & Muller partnership.
Skytop histories consistently describe the lodge as built with native fieldstone or natural stonework that connects it to the mountain landscape. This audit did not retrieve construction specifications proving that every exterior stone was quarried directly from the property.
Skytop and Historic Hotels of America identify Robert White as the designer of the resort's 18-hole golf course. They also identify him as a founder and the first president of the Professional Golfers' Association of America.
Skytop Lodge Corp.'s current company profile states that it owns and operates a 5,500-acre, 193-room, full-service destination resort in Skytop, Pennsylvania.
Skytop was conceived in 1925 and opened in 1928, before New Deal programs began. It was funded and developed by private investors through Pocono Hotels Corporation and Sky Top Lodges, Inc.
Skytop Lodge was founded by four men, including Howard Jenkins.
The reviewed Skytop histories identify five founders: John Stubbs, Charles Thompson, Frederic Smith, Earl Mayne, and Samuel Packer. Howard Jenkins is not identified among them.
Source: Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"; Skytop Lodge historical feature
Skytop Lodge was designed by Rossiter & Muller.
Architectural and resort-history sources identify John Muller as the main lodge architect. The Olmsted Brothers are credited with landscape design.
Source: Society of Architectural Historians, SAH Archipedia; Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"
The resort began as a 5,500-acre estate in 1925.
The founding group initially bought eight tracts totaling approximately 2,500 acres. The resort later grew to its present 5,500-acre extent.
Source: Historic Hotels of America, "History of Skytop Lodge"; Skytop Lodge Corp. company profile
Skytop has lasted because the resort retained control of a large, unified natural estate while updating its lodging, recreation, dining, and events business. Its original project combined a purpose-built lodge, designed landscape, and golf course rather than relying on a single seasonal attraction. Skytop Lodge Corp. still owns and operates the 5,500-acre resort, and the lodge says its landscape has been held in conservation since 1928.
Skytop Lodge was built in 1927–1928 and opened on June 16, 1928. Five investors initiated the project in 1925, architect John Muller designed the main lodge, and the Olmsted Brothers planned the surrounding landscape.
Robert White designed Skytop Lodge's 18-hole golf course. White is identified by Skytop and Historic Hotels of America as a founder and first president of the Professional Golfers' Association of America.
Skytop Lodge Corp. owns and operates Skytop Lodge. Its current company profile describes the business as a 5,500-acre, 193-room, full-service destination resort in Skytop, Pennsylvania.
No. Skytop was privately planned in 1925 and opened in 1928, before New Deal programs began. The founders used Pocono Hotels Corporation for financing and Sky Top Lodges, Inc. as the operating and construction organization.
1 Skytop Lodge Road, Skytop, PA 18357
(855) 345-7759
Confirm current lodging, dining, golf, grounds, day-use, activity, and event-access policies with Skytop before visiting.