Grossinger’s Resort, once a glittering symbol of the Catskill Mountains’ vibrant vacation culture, stands as a haunting relic of mid-20th century American leisure and Jewish heritage. Located in Liberty, New York, this once-renowned resort was the epitome of luxury and entertainment in the “Borscht Belt,” a region that catered to Jewish vacationers during a time when they were often excluded from other resorts due to discriminatory policies. Grossinger’s was a pioneering resort, famous for its glamorous amenities, world-class entertainment, and role in the golden era of Catskill vacation spots. At its peak, Grossinger’s welcomed over 150,000 guests annually, including celebrities, athletes, and notable public figures.
Yet, as American vacation habits changed and the Catskills fell out of favor, Grossinger’s too began to fade. By the 1980s, the once-thriving resort had closed its doors, and over the next few decades, it fell into ruin. This article explores the rich history of Grossinger’s Resort, from its humble beginnings to its rise as a cultural icon, and the factors that led to its ultimate decline and abandonment.
The Origins: A Modest Farm to a Vacation Haven
Grossinger’s Resort began with a simple farmhouse in 1914. Jennie Grossinger, along with her parents Asher and Malke Grossinger, immigrants from Austria-Hungary, founded a small boarding house in Ferndale, New York, just outside Liberty. The family’s farm welcomed Jewish immigrants, primarily from New York City, offering them a chance to escape the heat and bustle of the city and relax in the cool air of the Catskill Mountains.
Over time, word of mouth spread, and the family’s warm hospitality, combined with the growing popularity of the Catskills as a vacation destination, allowed the Grossingers to expand. The boarding house grew into a small hotel, which Jennie ran with vision and ambition. She understood the needs of Jewish vacationers, particularly those seeking a respite from the city’s exclusionary practices. Jennie emphasized kosher meals, warm hospitality, and leisure activities that reflected the interests of the Jewish community.
By the 1920s, Grossinger’s had already begun its transformation from a modest boarding house into a well-known vacation spot, with amenities like tennis courts and a swimming pool. This early success allowed the family to invest in expanding the resort, adding more rooms, dining facilities, and entertainment options. Grossinger’s soon became part of the burgeoning “Borscht Belt,” a nickname given to a string of resorts in the Catskills that catered to Jewish families.
The Golden Era: 1930s–1960s
The 1930s to 1960s marked the height of Grossinger’s success. As the resort expanded, so did its offerings, which came to include every amenity imaginable for luxury-seeking vacationers. Grossinger’s boasted Olympic-sized swimming pools, skiing, golf courses, tennis courts, theatres, and a range of social activities for all ages. At its peak, the resort spanned over 1,200 acres and featured over 35 buildings.
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Grossinger’s was its year-round operation, thanks to its indoor ice-skating rink and ski slopes. The resort was one of the first in the Catskills to offer winter sports, which helped it maintain popularity even during the off-season. The opening of Grossinger’s airport in the 1940s—a private airstrip where wealthy patrons could land their private planes—was a testament to the luxury the resort offered. Guests were shuttled directly to the resort from major cities like New York, giving it an exclusive appeal.
Grossinger’s also became famous for its food, especially its lavish kosher meals. The resort had several dining halls, and the kitchen operated around the clock, catering to the dietary needs of its largely Jewish clientele. Meals at Grossinger’s were legendary, with buffets offering everything from gourmet dishes to traditional Eastern European fare, all prepared under strict kosher supervision.
Beyond the luxurious amenities, Grossinger’s attracted attention for its entertainment offerings. The resort’s theatre, the Grossinger Playhouse, hosted some of the biggest names in show business. In the 1950s and 1960s, comedians like Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, and Jackie Mason performed at the resort, helping to establish the Catskills as a training ground for future stars. Musicians such as Eddie Fisher, who met and married Debbie Reynolds at Grossinger’s, were also regulars, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the resort.
Grossinger’s was also known for its role in the world of sports. The resort became famous for its boxing training camps, where world-class athletes, including Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali, trained for major fights. Grossinger’s boxing facilities, complete with outdoor training areas, offered an ideal retreat for fighters to train away from the spotlight while still remaining connected to the Catskills social scene.
Cultural Significance: The Catskills and Jewish-American Identity
The Borscht Belt, and by extension Grossinger’s, was more than just a vacation destination. It was a cultural touchstone for Jewish-Americans in the mid-20th century. For many Jewish families, Grossinger’s provided a rare opportunity for leisure in a time when they faced exclusion from many country clubs and resorts due to antisemitic policies. Grossinger’s catered to this community, offering a welcoming and luxurious space where Jewish families could relax, socialize, and enjoy life free from the discrimination they faced in other areas of American society.
The resort became synonymous with Jewish-American identity and culture, shaping the experiences of thousands of families who vacationed there year after year. Family reunions, bar mitzvahs, weddings, and other milestone events were often celebrated at Grossinger’s, helping to forge a collective memory for generations of Jewish-Americans.
At the same time, Grossinger’s and the Borscht Belt became a critical training ground for Jewish comedians and performers, who would go on to dominate American popular culture. The resort’s social atmosphere, combined with its tradition of nightly entertainment, gave young comics an opportunity to hone their craft in front of friendly, receptive audiences.
The Decline: Changing Tastes and Economic Challenges
By the 1970s, however, the golden age of Grossinger’s began to wane. A number of factors contributed to its decline. Chief among these was the changing nature of American vacation habits. The rise of affordable air travel meant that middle-class families were no longer limited to vacationing in regional resorts like Grossinger’s. Instead, they could now fly to more exotic destinations, such as Florida, the Caribbean, or even Europe, for the same cost or less.
At the same time, the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s meant that younger Jewish-Americans were less interested in the Catskills tradition that their parents and grandparents cherished. The rise of suburban life and changing tastes meant that the old-fashioned, all-inclusive resort model seemed increasingly out of step with the new leisure culture that was developing.
Economically, Grossinger’s faced increased competition from other resorts, including those within the Catskills itself, as well as from the growing number of hotel chains offering similar amenities at a lower price. The resort struggled to keep up with the cost of maintaining its vast property, especially as occupancy rates began to drop.
By the 1980s, Grossinger’s was in serious financial trouble. The resort’s once-glamorous buildings were showing signs of neglect, and many of the original clientele had moved on. In 1986, Grossinger’s closed its doors for good, unable to recover from years of dwindling attendance and rising maintenance costs.
Abandonment and Ruins: The Haunting Legacy
Following its closure, Grossinger’s was left abandoned, and much of the property fell into disrepair. The once-luxurious resort, with its sprawling grounds and impressive buildings, quickly deteriorated. Over the decades, nature reclaimed much of the property, with vines and trees overtaking the crumbling structures. The indoor pool, once a symbol of modernity and luxury, became a haunting ruin, with its tiled floor cracking and the water drained away.
For years, Grossinger’s remained a popular site for urban explorers, photographers, and those nostalgic for its glory days. The resort’s empty hallways, decaying buildings, and remnants of its opulent past evoked a sense of eerie beauty. Photos of the site’s abandoned golf courses, theatres, and dining halls became symbolic of the broader decline of the Borscht Belt, a region once synonymous with summer fun and glamour.
Efforts to redevelop the site were discussed over the years, but none of these plans came to fruition. In 2018, much of the remaining structures were demolished, erasing what little was left of the iconic resort.
The Enduring Legacy of Grossinger’s
Though the physical structures of Grossinger’s are now largely gone, its cultural legacy endures. The resort remains a symbol of a unique chapter in American Jewish history and the golden age of Catskill vacations. For many, the memory of summers spent at Grossinger’s still evokes feelings of nostalgia and a longing for the era when resorts like Grossinger’s were a central part of family life.
Grossinger’s also left a lasting impact on American entertainment. Many of the comedians, actors, and musicians who performed at the resort went on to become household names, shaping American popular culture for decades to come. The resort’s role in promoting Jewish culture and entertainment helped to bridge the gap between immigrant communities and mainstream American society.
In popular culture, Grossinger’s has been referenced in films, television shows, and books, including the iconic film *Dirty Dancing*, which was inspired by the resort culture of the Catskills. The Borscht Belt’s influence on American comedy and entertainment also remains a subject of fascination for historians and pop culture enthusiasts.
Grossinger’s Resort was more than just a vacation destination; it was a cultural institution that shaped the lives of thousands of families and helped define an era of Jewish-American leisure. From its humble beginnings as a small boarding house to its peak as a glamorous resort in the Borscht Belt, Grossinger’s played a central role in the history of the Catskills and the American Jewish experience.
Though the resort is now gone, its legacy lives on through the memories of those who visited, the entertainers who performed there, and the lasting impact it had on American popular culture. Grossinger’s remains a symbol of a bygone era, one that continues to inspire nostalgia, curiosity, and admiration for its role in shaping mid-century American life.
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