Monroe County Historical Association

VIEWS OF THE COUNTY | Monroe County Historic Photo Album

You don’t have to be a painter or photographer to appreciate Monroe County’s splendor, although nature’s wonders have lured artists and writers since the region was discovered. The Delaware Water Gap, alone, has been the subject of painting displayed in New York and Philadelphia art galleries, among others. Indeed, one painting was by a Russian traveler in 1813 who used it as an illustration for a publication called “Picturesque Voyage in North America.”

From the Gap to the refreshing spectacles of Buck Hill Halls and Bushkill Falls to panoramic views available from Mount Pocono, the landscape offers a never-ending, ever-changing show. Even today's most densely built commercial corridors are framed by picturesque mountain vistas.

These pages contain some views taken between 1836 and 1936 of towns and natural landmarks. Print out the pictures and take them with you on an afternoon exploratory mission to capture the same scenes today and compare the differences. Even the more built-up areas are beautiful.

Walk along Fulmer Street in Stroudsburg to see the view pictured from Crowley’s Heights. For a clearer view, you’ll need to go when the trees are bare. Then head on down to Route 191, through South Stroudsburg, across Route 611 and up to where Stroudsmoor is now. That site used to be the Highland Dell House. From there, look north – if you can find a place to peek between the homes and trees – and imagine how Stroudsburg looked in the 19th century.