September 5, 2016 – Liberty, NY

Disclaimer: Exploring abandoned and/or ruined structures can be dangerous and you could be trespassing. Should you choose to enter the property of any of the places featured on this site, do so legally.

Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel was a resort in the Catskill Mountains in the Town of Liberty, New York. One of the largest Borscht Belt resorts, it was a kosher establishment that catered primarily to Jewish clients from New York City. After decades of activity and notable guests, it closed its doors in 1986.

In 1952, Grossinger’s earned a place in the history of skiing as the first resort in the world to use artificial snow. In 1972, the hotel had grown to 35 buildings on 1,200 acres that served 150,000 guests a year. It had its own airstrip and post office. During his fighting days Rocky Marciano would train at the resort. Elizabeth Taylor got married there and Jackie Robinson vacationed there. Unfortunately in the late 1970s and 1980s, resorts like Grossinger’s could no longer attract younger guests. In 1986, the Grossinger descendants sold the property. Grossinger’s main hotel and main resort areas closed in 1986, but the golf course is still open as of 2016.

Today, what is left of it sits in ruin and decay. Any semblance to yesteryear was stripped away long ago. It is a place of curiosity and a haven for urban explorers. There’s not much left to see as the place has been pillaged of anything of value or what may have been souvenirs. The tall grass and weeds have enveloped the roads and walkways that once paved the way around the property. The buildings that remain standing have been left to rot and and most are not safe to wander through. Nevertheless below are some images that were captured in September of 2016.

UPDATE: Demolition of the remaining buildings on the resort property started in summer 2018. According to the Sullivan County Democrat, all remaining structures are scheduled to be demolished by the end of 2018. They posted a video on Facebook of the Jennie G. building being torn down on August 12th, 2018.

I added an image from Google Maps and numbered the areas that were photographed.

The guard booth is the first thing you see coming up the driveway with the Jennie G. wing just beyond it.

1. First up is the Lyman Building. I believe it was named after Abe Lyman, a popular bandleader from the 1920s to the 1940s. It is top center on the map above.
   

   Lyman Building

   

   Lyman Building

   

   Lyman Building

   

   Lyman Building

   2. I believe that this is the main house.

   

   main house

   These shots were taken from the rear of what I assume is the main house.

   

   main house

   

   main house

   

   main house

   3. The power plant.

   

   power plant

   Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

   

   power plant

   

   power plant

   

   power plant

   

   power plant

4. The Paul G. wing.

Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

5. The conference center.

6. The Jennie G. wing.

Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

More images from the Jennie G. wing captured from the front.

Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

7. The Natatorium – which is the indoor pool area.

Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

8. The Joy cottage.

Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

So there you have it, what once was the crown jewel of the Catskills is now nothing but a mass of rot and decay. The bones have been picked clean and the rest has been reclaimed by nature. I hope that you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to follow my blog so you don’t miss any future posts. Until next time folks……..