The Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. (PP&L) completed a massive dam at Wilsonville in 1925, creating Lake Wallenpaupack. Although it was created for the purpose of generating electricity, the lake quickly became a popular recreation center. Resorts and businesses were established to attract “vacationists” to the area, and the newly-formed Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce began promoting local attractions and destinations.
The Chamber’s beautiful hand-drawn map promoting “Pennsylvania’s Picturesque Vacationland” was designed by William J. Bumbala, a New York writer and artist who produced pictorial maps illustrated with scenes typical of the picturesque countryside in Pike and Wayne Counties. Published around 1930, the custom map captures the early era of tourism in the greater Lake Wallenpaupack region. Artistic and informative, it features dozens of “Resorts, Sports and Amusements” of the time period and undoubtedly served as a helpful guide for first-time visitors to the area.
“Vacationland” encompasses the communities of Greeley, Hawley, Newfoundland, Baoba, Tafton, Indian Orchard, Kimbles, Paupack, Blooming Grove, Lackawaxen, Peck’s Lake, Fairview Lake, Ledgedale, Lake Ariel, and Rowlands.
The following businesses, grouped by location, are featured on the map:
Lake Ariel
Hotel Ariel — “For your Vacation – Boating, Bathing, Fishing”
Hawley
Indian Orchard Hotel — “Home Cooked Meals, Sports – Dancing – Beverages”
The Colonial Tea Room — “Hawley’s Rendezvous Place. Accommodations for 10”
Wm. S. Watts Hardware — “Fishing Tackle–Sporting Goods – General Hardware”
Mickey’s Hall — “Dancing and Entertainment, Refreshments”
Warren P. Murphy, Insurance and Real Estate
First National Bank, Hawley
White House Dairy, T. Schaibly, Proprietor
Hotel Andres — “Modern Wholesome Food, Fishermen’s and Hunter’s Retreat”
Hawley Inn — “Hawley’s Leading Hotel, Oscar Wolle, Proprietor”
Lake Wallenpaupack
The Anglewood — “Home Cooking, Fine View, Tourists – Fishing – Boating”
Uncle Tom’s Cabin — “At the lake Entrance — Meals – Lunches – Cabins”
Bob’s Inn — “For the Best Food, Fun and Amusements”
Spinnler Point Colony — “Restricted Sights Available on Very Convenient Terms”
The Silver Birches — “Airy Rooms, Home Cooking, at Charles W. Singer’s Landing”
Seeley’s Landing — “Camping, Fish, Bait, Rooms and Bath. Accommodates 12”
Pep’s Inn and Village — “Cottages for Rent, Restaurant, Tourist Rooms”
Nemanie Lodge and Cottages — “Modern – Rustic. Phone–Hawley 69-R-6”
Gumble Bros. — “Real Estate and Building. Cottages for Rent”
The Earl Lodge — “For Rest and Quiet, Reasonable Rates on the Lake”
A.F. Josco — “Speedboating, Fishing, Cabins Fully Equipped”
Killam’s — “Cottages for Rent, Farmhouse Modernly Equipped”
Duffy’s Landing — “Camper’s Paradise. Cottages – Boating – Bathing – Fishing”
Paupack Beauty View — “Large Passenger Cruiser, Cabins and Cottages”
White Beauty View — “The Most Popular Spot on the Lake”
Buehler Lake
Buehler’s — “For a Real Vacation – Quiet, Restful – Rates $15 Weekly”
Fairview Lake
Camp Lenape for Boys — “Riding, Swimming, Woodcraft, Boating and All Sports”
Lenape Village for Adults — “A Cabin Camp with all Conveniences”
Camp Oneka — “Camp for Girls, Select Clientele, Established 1908”
Fairview Lake Farm — “For a Real Vacation – Own Farm Products”
Arbutus Hill Farm — “For a Real Vacation – Home Atmosphere”
Kleinhans Lake
Kleinhans Lakeside Grill — “Bathing, Camping, Fishing”
Newfoundland
Woltjen Lumber — Builder’s Supplies, Summer Bungalow Specialists
Charles E. Ehrhardt Atlantic Service Station
Lackawaxen/Upper Delaware
Mountain View House — “Excellent Table, Modern, Bathing, Fishing, Tennis”
Camp Teedyuskung — “Ann D. Wagner Camp for Girls”
Crystal Lake House — “Modern–Sports–Accommodates 100. Own Farm and Lake”
Pine Tree Cottage — “German Cooking, Modern, Quiet, Rates Reasonable”
Ott’s Tavern — “For Fun and Amusements, Popular Beverages, Luncheons”
Greeley Casino — “W. H. Greenfield, Proprietor. Theater, Beverages, Dancing”
Highland Lake House — “Vacationist’s Paradise, Modern, Popular, Reasonable”
Rosencrance Garage and Service Station, Greeley
Woodland — “For a Real Vacation. Modern Conveniences, Sports”
Peck’s Lake
Hillside Store — “Excellent Table, Beverages, Bathing, Boating, Fishing”
Sunrise Hotel
Mosier’s Inn — “Lunches, Beverages, Accommodates 18. Boating – Bathing – Fishing”
An original copy of the Vacationland map has been reproduced by the Greene-Dreher Historical Society and is available for sale.