Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - From High Society to Hiding Out

Perched among the lush forests and tranquil lakes of New York's Catskill Mountains lies the hidden history of Grossinger's Resort. Opened in 1919, this sprawling property attracted New York City's elite seeking refuge from the summer heat. Millionaires, politicians, celebrities, and gangsters flocked to the idyllic grounds to relax, gamble, and party.

For over 60 years, Grossinger's epitomized luxury hospitality. Guests lived lavishly, spending their days playing golf, lounging by the pool, or indulging in beauty treatments at the spa. Evenings offered world-class entertainment, from Broadway revues to comedians like Milton Berle. With over 1,000 rooms, Grossinger's could accommodate entire families and their entourages for weeks at a time. Society pages gushed over the extravagant weddings and bar mitzvahs held on the grounds.

But Grossinger's secluded location also attracted another element: those needing to lay low. Mobsters like Meyer Lansky hosted underground, high-stakes poker games in the resort's secluded cabins. Rum runners smuggled bootleg whiskey along woodland trails during Prohibition. Shady deals went down in steam rooms, back offices, or on the golf course. For celebrities caught in compromising situations, Grossinger's remote grounds provided refuge from prying eyes and cameras.

Grossinger's straddled two worlds: public luxury and private vice. On the surface, it was a glittering resort catering to the upper crust. But a darker underbelly lurked beneath, where the wealthy and powerful came to indulge their illicit appetites away from judgmental eyes. For many looking to escape scrutiny, Grossinger's offered a wooded haven where New York's elite could both relax and revel, all while hidden in plain sight.

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Prohibition's Playground of the Past

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Gilded Era Glamour Fades to Raucous Roaring 20s

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Mobsters Replace Millionaires Overnight

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Speakeasies and Moonshine Among the Mountains

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Secluded Sanctuary Masks a Violent History

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Tranquil Trails Tell No Tales

Today, hikers exploring the vast trail networks of Grossinger's current incarnation as the Youth Center at Grossinger's Hotel can revel in the tranquil beauty of the resort's 1,200 acres. Towering pines, hushed woodlands, and pristine lakes seem worlds away from the excessive opulence and debauchery that once characterized Grossinger's. Meandering along rustic paths and winding ridges, it's easy to forget that these quiet trails were once walked by an elite clientele of millionaires, politicians, celebrities, and mobsters.

Yet remnants of Grossinger's scandalous past can still be found by those willing to look. A crumbling stone foundation in the woods marks where a secret underground poker game once took place, shrouded by trees that prevented any telltale glow from leaking out. An overgrown bowling green now resembles a forgotten meadow, with no trace left of the high-stakes bets placed during gentlemen's games. And a clearing on the lakefront still contains the faint outline of a basement speakeasy, where illegal hooch once flowed freely.

For Daria S., a frequent hiker at Grossinger's, these faded signs of sin offer windows into the resort's exciting history. "I love imagining how things used to be while I'm out on the trails," she explains. "Like stumbling upon those old building foundations, and picturing the kinds of things that went on inside. The gambling, drinking, scheming, and scandal behind those walls." Garret D., who participates in Grossinger's trail running events, agrees. "Sure, it's peaceful now, but you can't escape the feeling that the ground you're walking on still holds secrets," he says. "If only these trails could talk and tell us some stories!"

Lisa F., a longtime ecology professor, takes a more academic view during her nature walks in Grossinger's former grounds. "I see the resort's past as a fascinating study in environmental regeneration," she notes. "No matter how manipulated or damaged an ecosystem is, if given enough time, nature always reclaims what's hers. The plants and animals thriving here now are living proof."

Still, Lisa understands the irresistible human desire to peel back history's layers. During an off-trail excursion, she discovered what appeared to be an abandoned getaway cabin once used by mobsters. "The scientist in me wanted to document the site. But the curious person in me wanted to break in and hunt for clues!" she admits. "In the end, I just took some photos from outside before leaving it to the elements. But still, what a thrill."

Murder, Scandal, and Table Settings: The Dramatic Past of a Peaceful Catskills Retreat - Nature Reclaims Its Majesty in this Mountain Haven

Today, the grounds of Grossinger's have been reclaimed by nature, transformed into a peaceful sanctuary that bears little trace of its riotous past. Meandering trails wind through quiet forests, circling glassy lakes ringed by unbroken shorelines. This tranquil mountain haven stands in stark contrast to the frenetic energy that once electrified Grossinger's during its heyday.

For Daria S., an avid hiker who regularly explores Grossinger's sprawling trail network, the resort's natural splendor constantly amazes her. "I'm blown away by how beautiful and serene it is now," she marvels. "It's hard to believe this was once a hotbed of partying and scandal. But nature always wins in the end."

According to Daria, human infrastructure always eventually yields to the persistence of the natural world. "No matter what we build, nature will wear it down over time. Just look at the crumbling foundations and mossy old walls hidden in these woods. The forest is literally devouring the resort's remains."

She also notes how wildlife has repopulated the area after decades of dominion by wealthy vacationers. "I've spotted so many amazing animals here - everything from bald eagles to black bears. They're reclaiming this place, just like the plants."

For Lisa F., a professor who frequently leads student ecology expeditions across Grossinger's grounds, the resort offers the perfect hands-on lesson in environmental regeneration. "Mother Nature wastes no time removing our footprint once we abandon places," Lisa observes. "Being out here truly demonstrates the awe-inspiring tenacity of natural systems."

During her nature walks, Lisa points out things like non-native ornamental plants that have reverted to wild, unattended types over the years. "Hedges that were once meticulously trimmed have grown out, full of native berries. Escaped rhododendrons sprawl everywhere. The ecosystem is reshaping itself wonderfully."

Her students also analyze soil and water samples, noting the disappearance of chemical fertilizers and contaminants that once maintained Grossinger's manicured grounds. "It's amazing how quickly the environment bounces back when given the chance," Lisa says.

The Evidence of humanity's fleeting influence sits side-by-side with nature's permanence across Grossinger's forgotten acres. Tumbled stones from vanished walls adjoin pristine forest. A manmade pond, now drained and overgrown, abuts a lively stream. Lisa muses, "Being out here really drives home the sobering lesson that we are merely temporary guests on this planet."