Come Fly With Me—Abandoned & Infamous: Birchwood Resort
“Come fly with me, let’s take off in the blue
Once I get you up there
Where the air is rarefied
We’ll just glide
Starry-eyed
Once I get you up there
I’ll be holding you so near
You may hear
Angels cheer, ’cause we’re together”
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Arguably, Birchwood is the most notorious of the abandoned resorts located in the Poconos. It’s most recent use as a hideout by an alleged cop killer added yet another chapter to the resort’s colorful history.
For decades, private pilots have used the term “$100 Hamburger” in reference to the expense of flying one’s own plane to small airports and airstrips in rural areas for a diner hamburger, which, when factoring in the cost of the airplane, was an expensive but adventurous lunch. Forget the burger—imagine the glamour of dropping down out of the clouds to stay at a resort!
Photo Courtesy of Katherine Rogers
Built on the site of an old farm during the 1950s, Birchwood quickly became one of the Poconos’ most recognizable honeymoon spots. In 1969, the Birchwood-Pocono Air Park was added to cater to resort-goers who wanted to add a little extra enchantment to their visit.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Brochures from the 70s offered “fly in” services for honeymooners who would fly, or drive, to the airport in Allentown to connect with the Birchwood Resort Plane waiting to drop them off at the resort’s private air strip. Because of the private airport, it’s been said the resort was a popular destination among mobsters and other nefarious individuals visiting from New York and New Jersey.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Birchwood was quite a destination! The resort offered all-inclusive, couples-only packages with amenities like private cabins, swimming, a night club, bowling, miniature golf, a shooting range, paddle boats, and badminton. Couples could also take off from the 2,500-foot runway using a glider to soar over the Poconos and soak in thrilling views of the Delaware Water Gap.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Katherine Rogers
Like the rest of the big Pocono Honeymoon Resorts, Birchwood was struggling to stay open by the late 90s, especially during the slow season of early spring and late fall. Since the promise of casino gambling fell through in the 80s, some resorts started to cater to fetishists who would book the entire resort for themselves.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
According to the Pocono Record, Birchwood hosted its fourth annual spanking party on April 20, 1999. Spankers from around the world paid $500 dollars each for a weekend of erotic play at the resort. The weekend after that was devoted to bondage. These events weren’t exactly a secret. The staff, who had the unpleasant task of cleaning up, knew about them. Neighbors of the resort heard rumors about naked hide-and-seek events in the woods, and gossip about a game called “spank the naked bowler”. The police knew because the spankers had a website where the curious could download pictures from their events.
Photo Courtsey of Jenn O’Malia
The local newspaper exposed the fetish events at Birchwood, and the story was picked up by the national news. Even comedians on late night TV were cracking jokes about the Poconos. After the Pocono Record exposed Birchwood, the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau put pressure on the resort to cancel these events. A few years later, the resort closed. And wasn’t heard about again until 2014.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
On September 12, 2014, accused cop killer Eric Matthew Frein allegedly gunned down Bryon K. Dickson II, 38, of Dunmore, and wounded Trooper Alex T. Douglass, 34, of Olyphant, in a sniper-style attack outside of the Blooming Grove state police barracks.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
A lengthy manhunt ensued, with many residents living in fear, while hundreds of law enforcement officers swarmed the region. Schools were shut down. Troopers set up checkpoints on local highways. Eric Matthew Frein became a household name with his photo plastered on billboards and area storefronts. Residents were ordered to remain inside in areas where the suspect was seen. The entire community was under siege with helicopters constantly flying overhead and heavily armed officers everywhere.
Following the 48-day manhunt that spanned two counties, he was finally captured outside the dilapidated Birchwood airport hangar in Monroe County. Frein was detained by U.S. Marshals at the resort while state police drove slain Cpl. Bryon Dickson’s car to the resort, then used Dickson’s handcuffs to place Frein under arrest.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Investigators found incriminating evidence, including the .308-caliber rifle used in the attack, inside the airport hangar. It’s not clear how long Frein was hiding out there, but a variety of items belonging to him were found including additional firearms, a bayonet, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition. He also had a computer, water jugs, toilet paper, binoculars and religious items, including New Testament writings from Psalms and Proverbs, a religious plaque, as well as seven DVDS and handwritten notes.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Birchwood resort first appeared in local phone books in 1953. Its last listing was in 2007. Some reports say the resort closed in 2001. Today the property looks like a ghost town of decaying cabins and recreational facilities, with nothing but broken windows, crumbling cabins and broken down doors looming over the lake and wetlands.
Photo Courtesy of Jenn O’Malia
Follow Me On Instagram
~*~*~*~*~*~
Return To
GUERRILLA HISTORY Table of Contents
Cheri Sundra © 2017
All Rights Reserved
This may be my favorite story so far!! I’d love to know more about the famous (or should I say infamous) people that visited and vacationed here. Great writing once again Cheri!!
What amazes me about abandoned places is that, well, they’re abandoned. Why wouldn’t the owners do some sort of furniture and other fixture sale, to get all the money they could out of it, before closing for good?
Why did the Poconos decline as a honeymoon spot? I remember all the ads in the bridal magazines back in the day. Also, when I graduated from high school in the early ’80s, lots of my classmates headed there to get “easy jobs.” Several of them were hired at one resort or another, got an apartment together and had a blast. It was their first taste of freedom!
What an interesting article, great location for a photoshoot, love the images also….J
was there any security? or did you have permission?
I know from experience that what you’re really asking is “how do I get to go there?” Research! Find out who owns the site and how to contact them. Contact the local historical society if you have to…. Get names. Write to them. Call them. Plead your case. Tell them why you NEED to be there. It takes some real effort, but it’s worth it!
Did you have contact info?
there is security and you will be sited for tresspass if caught
There is security and you will face charges if caught on property!
My husband and I honeymooned at Birchwood in 1978 – it was LOVELY and so well maintained. These pictures are heartbreaking but I appreciate you sharing…. I’ll hang on to the memories of a beautiful place with wonderful staff….
My husband and I honeymooned there in 1979 and It was beautiful, so sad what it has become
My husband and I honeymooned at Birchwood in 1979. We love the place too. We had one of those beds with canopy on it. So pretty and I remember his and hers bathrooms❤️
We honeymooned in 1969. Such a shame!
Couldn’t find much on internet about Birchwood until Eric Frein …. I remember a lot of these places shown here as my wife and I honeymooned here in June of 1977. It was a beautiful resort and the place was full of young couples like ourselves. we always wanted to go back some day. Thanks for sharing.
We spent our honeymoon there in 1964. It was lovely and the staff was so nice. Heartbreaking to see the pictures!
We also spent our honeymoon in Birchwood in July 1964. We had so much fun and although we wanted to return we never did. What treasured memories we have from that time.
My husband and I honeymooned at Birchwood in 1980. It was a wonderful place and we have fond memories of it. Breaks my heart to see it as it is today.
I’d like to come in and clean up the place and do the demo for the new owners and site work for the new water park and do the new run way and parking lots my name is Dillman Grieco and we are on Google under Dillman construction management Demolition and Dismantling. We have been trying to contact the new owners so we hope they read this and call us for us to do the work are number is 570 688 3996 anytime we are open 24/7 days a week thank you and God bless everybody we work anywhere Thanks for reading home base is in pa
awesome
We also honeymooned here in 1979. It was a great place. We heard an airline pilot owned the resort at that time and that was why there was an airport and the aviation theme in the nightclub
I forgot his name, but he flew for Pan Am. He ended up with a divorce and that added to the problems. Pilots found the Birchwood airport challenging.
Wally Hoffman
Wally Hoffman was that owner. My dad knew him from college and we visited and got to stay there for a night in summer of 68 during a trip to the east coast.
We also honeymooned in 1968 and it was a great place
We honeymooned there in 1986. This breaks my heart. Fascinating article, but I can’t believe this. I didn’t know anything about all of his, so I went on line to try to surprise my husband for our 31st anniversary. Our initials are carved in that covered bridge 😢. We have beautiful memories.
Our band was playing there when the Blizzard of ’78 hit. That place was awesome and we all had a great time there.
Hey, Chuck! What’s the name of your band?
We spent our honeymoon there Jan. 1966. It was a great place, so many activities. It is ashame that it was let go and in such a shambles now. Heartbreaking, but many memories of it’s
Hay day.
Beautiful weekend retreat.What a shame it’s abandoned.We spent weekend retreats there while dating in the late 80’s and have been together for 32 Happy years!Thanks for sharing the pictures.Maybe someday they can redo it.Will have to dig out old photos and reminisce.
My sister went every year on her anniversary with her husband too.If I won the lottery I would buy it.Remember the carriage ride,the boat ride the romantic cottage,the Red Baron inn,bike riding,strolling,such a wonderful memory.We also visited Memorytown Inn not too far from there.Maybe that is gone too.I hear casinos took over in the poconos.
Stressful to see this. Our honeymoon at Birchwood was May, 1964 and it was memorable. Times have changed since then.
we flew there in 1975 great place great memories so sad to see it now
I have been a guerrilla historian myself and now function as the real thing in addition to serving as a restoration architect.
It’s funny the number of young people that come to me and admit that they break into old buildings because they are just curious! Who wouldn’t want to see the past… and the thing is that those of us young and old who enjoy 20th century America —- even the recent past of Mid-Century and roadside architecture —- pretty much have little power over what the businesses, local governments, and the economy dictate. Do y’all know that the coolest motel complex on old Route 66 — beloved by people ALL OVER the world — was obliterated despite being on the National Register of Historic Places and having thousands of people speak up for it?
Yes, it sucks when communities don’t get what they want. And it sucks that stuff that was built in your parents’ lifetime is disappearing SO FAST before you can even revisit or save it.
And then there are the Poconos… I now live here. Your economy drops right at the PA line and businesses do not do so well, for a bunch of reasons I won’t waste time listing here. It will get better for many — Los Angeles has thrived since 1992 and EVERYTHING there is being either repaired or demolished. But do we really want TRIPLING monthly rent payments and demolitions of the past in exchange for jobs?
I tried to save a funky 1950s roadside motel along the pre Big Sur Coast in the area where Hearst Castle is. It was a lone, thriving, incredibly affordable ($27 per night!!!!) ocean-front resource that EVERYONE could afford, and it was a part of a chain of community along a 90 mile coastline that still looked as it did in 1950 with buildings only every ten miles, a place where the motel manager would treat you like a member of the family. When CA State Parks got it I predicted it would take them at least five years to rebuild it for the people. Instead it has been FIFTEEN and it still has not been repaired. State rangers get to live there, but the rest is being allowed to suffer “demolition by neglect.” Now nearby towns there have $500 per night hotel rooms for wealthy San Franciscans and working people can barely pitch a ten on the entire Central and Southern coastlines.
I guess the question is, why can Americans no longer be ALLOWED to have affordable resources, healthcare, education, homes? I know Poconos is an extremely politically conservative area, but… Don’t we work hard enough, harder than ever? As the NYC area expands, these things are coming to PA whether you want them or not. I can promise you that much.
We Honeymooned there in 1965. What a great place. We also took the plane ride and horseback. Great meals as well. Remember making the Candles and we still have them. Been married for 55 years now. Such a shame on what happened to the place.
44 years ago today, July 4, we arrived at Birchwood for our honeymoon. We, too, made the candles 🙂 and gave one to our son for his wedding in 2010 and one to our daughter for her wedding in 2012. Birchwood was a great spot back in those days.
My husband and I enjoyed many Valentines weekends at Birchwood I wanted to get married there. When we found out that it was closed we wanted to buy our cabin and bring it home with us so we had a place at home to get away then I came up with the idea it could become my she shed. Sorry it went down hill so fast my memories are beautiful
I was there in Feb.1960. Took photos of us in the snow wearing red sweaters.
The photo was so beautiful that it was used in Birchwoods advertising.
Anyone there at that time?
We went in October 1960. Beautiful place. While dining, out sofa went on fire. No screen in front of fireplace. Oops!!
We honeymooned there in May 1968 it was a great place we loved it. So sad to see now.
Hi Cheri… I’m the guy trying to save Good Shepherd Memorial Park. I have loads of personal info about the place and ironically as date would have it Birchwood Resort as I was married there and spoiler alert… I’m the guy who found Eric Frein at Birchwood Resort. My email is jasonkutney@gmail.com
I’m not linked with social media and couldn’t find your email so we’re starting here
Like Chuck, I also played there in a band several times in 1979. Our band was called Sarabande. I was shocked to see these pictures and needless to say, saddened. I see a few people responding they honeymooned there in 1979. Greetings to them!
His name was Wally Hoffman.
So sad to see. My wife and I honeymooned there in June 1980. It was a beautiful place!
When we honeymooned there in august 1967. We had no idea it was dry !! We had nice time. Good start to 53 years together
So sad to see that run down area . My wife and I had our honeymoon there in 1963,,, I guess we won’t be going back ?…..
Sad! Honeymooned there in August 1961! Radar was the photographer!
It has been 53 years today. We had a wonderful time and I was so sad that it was no longer. I know things change but it was a special place for our honeymoon.
I used to spend every valentines weekend with my now wife there. We wrote messages in the drawers..
it was kind of dated back then (28 years ago) but that was the charm.
It’s sad seeing the place in its present state. Many great memories. My oldest son is a product of the Birchwood.
So many wonderful memories from all our stays there….
Our son was a take home forever memory created there😂
Well done
It is sad to see it abandoned. My husband of 57 yrs & I spent our honeymoon there….met the nicest couples also on their honeymoons! Loved the charm & everybody was so nice…loved the piano playing at dinner time! Upon leaving there was terrible snow storm…all the way back to Michigan! Parents were worried sick about their “ kids”!😊
January of 1965 was our stay there…time flies when you’re having
fun!
Our 50th Annivrrsary is coming up in February. Was thinking of surprising my Husband to go back to Birchwood, where our married life began. We have our picture album to look back on. I am truly saddened to see the condition it is in now. Many memories of playi g pool. Basketball on roller skates, walking g across the pool on a log wearing an old fashioned bathing suit, snow mobilizing, archery, shooting g range and playi g the Newlywed Game.
We were there in 1973, pictures are heartbreaking
Was there in July 1973 for Honeymoon before going to Heidelberg Germany. Basketball on skates, Water Skiing and the Hypnotist are fond memories. Remember Janet and Dave a couple from NY .
Wonderful honeymoon in June of 1974! Became friends with 2 other newlywed couples whom we were seated with the first night and continued to dine with during our stay. Made a decision we would come back for our 10th anniversary! However, I was obviously pregnant and we opted out but so glad the others got to go. We kept in touch over the years and I was shocked when one couple contacted us with the demise of our Birchwood In the Poconos! A lot had been added: indoor pool, tennis, mini golf, et al since we stayed there in ’74 … it also became known as a “couples resort” instead of a “honeymoon resort” which may not be important to most, but seemed to take away some of the magic for us. We never got back, but we still have our candles.
Wow! Wally Hoffman, a retired pilot and his wife owned the resort and made it into a profitable honeymoon resort. He was a Board Member of The Kings College located then in Briarcliff Manor NY. He once invited our basketball team down for a weekend and we scrimmaged East Stroudsburg State on Saturday afternoon. We also were allowed to bring our girlfriends and it was there that my now wife of 53 years beat me handily in bowling. After I graduated from Kings, I then attended ESSC for my Masters. During that year I worked the front desk taking reservations, providing group activities and hosting potential honeymooners. It was quite the place in its day and now it is so sad to see its demise!