The Pines Resort (4/26/24)

History

The Pines Resort in South Fallsburg, NY, was once a thriving getaway in the heart of the Catskills. Originally known as the Daisy View Hotel, it was an early 20th-century retreat that catered to visitors seeking relaxation and entertainment. By 1931, it had transformed into the Moneka Lodge, a larger Mission-style hotel, and continued to evolve over the decades. At its peak, The Pines spanned 96 acres and featured a 400-room hotel, indoor and outdoor pools, a golf course, ski slopes, an ice-skating rink, a theater, tennis courts, and card rooms. Like many resorts in the area, it flourished as part of the Borscht Belt, a collection of vacation spots that catered primarily to New York City's Jewish community from the 1920s to the 1970s. Many famous entertainers got their start performing at these resorts, making them cultural hotspots. However, as air travel and changing vacation trends drew people away from the Catskills, The Pines—like many of its counterparts—fell into decline. Financial troubles led to its closure in 1998, and since then, it has been left to decay. Over the years, the resort became a popular site for urban explorers and photographers, drawn to its eerie, abandoned beauty. However, vandalism, weather damage, and multiple fires—especially a major one in June 2023—have left little remaining of its once-grand structures. Today, The Pines Resort stands as a haunting relic of the Catskills' golden era, its ruins slowly being reclaimed by nature.