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Fred Waring sold
Shawnee
to Karl
Hope, a successful Philadelphia real estate developer,
in 1974.
Hope opened Shawnee Village, the first timesharing development
in Pennsylvania, and one of the first in the U.S. The
Shawnee Inn now welcomed people from all walks of life.
Hope also transformed the Inn into a year-round resort
and conference center: he upgraded buildings, added DePuy
and Fairway Villages to the grounds, and built a ski
area on Shawnee Mountain. To ensure the success of the
new ski area, Hope hired three-time Olympic Gold Medallist
Jean-Claude Killy to head ski operations at the Mountain.
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When
Charles and Virginia Kirkwood
purchased The Shawnee
Inn from Karl Hope in 1977,
they began the exciting
experience that endures
today as the Inn's current
owners. To make Shawnee a cost-effective year-round resort,
the Kirkwoods have made numerous improvements to the Inn and
its facilities over the course of more than 20 years. In 1991,
Shawnee divided into three separate companies: Shawnee Properties,
responsible for managing and marketing the timesharing; Shawnee
Mountain, responsible for managing the ski area; and the Inn.
In 1994, the Kirkwoods renamed it The Shawnee Inn and Golf
Resort.
In December of 1995,
extensive upgrades and renovations began on the Inn, but no one expected that
just a month later, tragedy would strike. On the morning of January 20, 1996,
the banks of the Delaware River, only a hundred yards from the structure's
foundation, overflowed the Inn. The boilers, air-conditioning and other
mechanical systems were destroyed, and the renovations already completed on the
ground floor were completely demolished. Many holes of the C.C. Worthington's
Masterpiece were badly damaged. The Inn had to be evacuated, and was closed for
extensive repairs.
Even a severe act of Mother
Nature wasn't able to tarnish The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort's century-old
resolve. Since then, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has embraced its history
and begun a complete renovation of its majestic Inn on the Banks of the
Delaware River. A new look, new windows and shutters have given the Inn a
fresh new look. New keycard entry system, beds, TVs, carpet, wallpaper
and guest furniture have given all our guest rooms an updated look and feel. We
have embarked on an historic picture project that will adorn the walls of the
Inn's guest rooms and public areas. Hair dryers, irons, ironing boards,
coffee makers and other upgraded amenities add a modern touch to the nearly 100
year old property.
In addition,
2003 led the
way to the opening
of The Tillinghast Golf Academy; and
in 2004, the
state-of-the-art
practice facility
was completed. The
Red Brick House
that was built
in 1782 and stands near the entrance of the
Inn was renovated
to serve as the
home of The Tillinghast Academy,
practice facility
and Association. In
the summer of
2004, Sam Snead's
Tavern opened directly beside
the Academy adding one more amenity for the guests of the
Inn.
This golf-themed restaurant and bar is in
memory of Sam
Snead who played
at Shawnee for
many years. To
us, the history
of Shawnee is
very important
and we want to
share its history. It
reminds us of
our roots and
also reminds us of what has been accomplished
here through
good and bad
times. We pride ourselves on
our history, and
by embracing
that history,
we have found
our future in
creating a world
of class - a golf
destination and
more in our little Shawnee Village nestled
in the hills
of the Pocono
Mountains, Pennsylvania.
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