Observations, Textures, and Trash

10.26.2009

Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel : 1919-1986

Every year in October I make a trip out to New York and I never leave without doing some exploring around the abandoned resorts of the Borscht Belt in the Catskills Mountains. The 250 square mile area contained almost 1000 hotels, which now most of them lie in a state of urban decay. The area was a popular vacation spot for Jewish people in and around New York City from the 1920s through the 1960s. During the late 60's the resorts started to see a decline of guests, because the cost of an airplane ticket to Vegas became the same price as driving upstate. Plus the invention of the air-condition made it more bearable to stay in the city all summer.

This year I visited the Grossinger's, one of the more famous resorts in the region. During it's peak the complex had around 35 buildings, and hosted 150,000 guests a year. I had a blast trespassing my way through 8 storey's of abandon rooms, the green house and one of the most sublime places of all the Borscht Belt, the Grossinger's indoor pool.

9.13.2009

2009 Vice | Scion Photo Contest

Just wanted to share this with you guys. I placed in 3rd in the Photojournalism catagory, and won myself a subscription to VICE magazine and a copy of the True Norwegian Death Metal book. My mom would be so proud...

http://www.scion.com/photo/