7 Towns In The Poconos That Were Frozen In Time

Do you ever wish you could turn back time or, at the very least, be able to freeze it in place? There are many places in the world suspended in time where visitors can get a glimpse of an age gone by. The Poconos Mountains are one such place, rich in history and natural beauty. The name Pocono comes from the Munsee word “Pokawachne,” which means “Creek Between Two Hills,” and this mountain range covers Pike County, Monroe County, Carbon County, and southern Wayne County in Pennsylvania. Today, it is a perfect destination for visitors to go hiking and enjoy outdoor adventures, perhaps skiing and snowboarding, with no shortage of water parks and resorts. So, come take a look at this breathtaking time capsule…if you dare make the climb!

Jim Thorpe

Some fairly old architecture still stands in Jim Thorpe, including an old town with Victorian-era buildings like the Asa Packer Mansion, dating back to the 1860s. This town has a mining history, and the area’s switch to tourism left many old mining sites untouched! Jim Thorpe even left behind a transport legacy, as it was originally a hub for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, where remnants of old train lines can still be seen. You can, in fact, take rides on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which was originally built in the 19th century. If you still want to see something frozen in time, make your way to the Old Jail Museum, built in 1871; it has hand-painted graffiti from inmates!

Milford

A town that has gone to great lengths to preserve its history, Milford is home to Grey Towers, a mansion built in 1886 that is now a national historic site. You can also find several famous movie sites, thanks to the town’s film history. Scenes from The Deer Hunter (1978) were filmed here because much of the landscape remains virtually untouched by human activity. A walk in Milford can make you feel like you are in the 1800s; also, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area surrounds the town, giving it its 19th-century appeal and incredibly vast sights of oak and maple.

Stroudsburg

A town with a strong Civil War connection, its Monroe County Historical Association preserves Civil War antiquities in a towering, 1795-era building. The town also houses the Sherman Theater—built in 1929—which is still a prominent venue for live performances to this day! Similarly, many original brick storefronts have not seen much change since the 1800s. It is worth paying one's respects to the Revolutionary War soldiers at the Stroudsburg Cemetery, which dates back to 1837 and holds significant historical value. It might also be a good idea to check out The Sherman Theater on Main Street, if for no other reason than to feel the 1920s vibes.

Hawley

A small town with an industrial past, Hawley grew around a canal system that used to transport coal—still visible to this day. All this was made possible thanks to the waterway: the Lackawaxen River runs through the town, but the loss of canal trade in the late 1800s stalled the area’s development, which means a lot of old buildings are quite well preserved. A good old-time spot, though, would be the Hawley Bridge—a 19th-century bridge that is still in use. And speaking of transportation, there is a tourist train known as the Stourbridge Line that connects this town and its rail history as far back as 1829.

Delaware Water Gap

A fairly small town in Pennsylvania, Delaware Water Gap has had access to the Appalachian Trail since the 1930s. It is a famous spot for that reason, thanks to the town’s preservation efforts. The National Park Service has done much for the land, but most of all, preventing large-scale modern development. So you can enjoy an unspoiled landscape or take a look at some of the old buildings still standing. The real prize here is the Kittatinny House, a hotel from the 1800s that is now a museum exhibit. It is right on the Delaware River, so you can relax and unwind after a long day.

Honesdale

This is the birthplace of the American Railroad. Honesdale is where the first locomotive test took place in 1829, the Stourbridge Lion. The town celebrates the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Festival each year in its historic district, and many buildings on Main Street date back to the mid-1800s and still operate as regular businesses to this day! The town feels frozen in time due to economic stagnation following the decline of the coal trade. On that note, the Wayne County Historical Society has preserved the original train engine on display—even though it stopped running long ago—making it definitely worth a visit.

Tannersville

If you ever find yourself looking for a general store but want one specifically built in the early 1800s, then Tannersville is the place to go. There are many such structures nearby, and the small population growth here kept commercial expansion to a minimum. One could visit the Camelback Lodge (a small cabin retreat in the 1960s) just up north for a combination of history and recreation or relax at Mountain View Park to end a long day. It is also worth paying respects at the Veterans Memorial Park, which commemorates those who served in the Vietnam War between 1955 and 1975.

It can be hard to find well-preserved locations and monuments when everyone is looking to the future. The Poconos does wonders to maintain itself as a land unspoiled and unburdened by massive skyscrapers or futuristic innovations. Here is where one comes to reconnect with nature, the country’s history, and ultimately one’s self. It is worth a visit, even if just for a hike, because the land itself—the simple act of wandering through those hills—can instantly transport you to a time long forgotten.