This area was originally called Stony Man Camp and started as a dude ranch. It was operated by George Freeman Pollock, who would become one of several men who began lobbying in 1924 for the area to become a national park.
Pollock was a showman. He blew a bugle each morning to awaken guests at the camp. This was one of the ways he tried to enhance the rugged outdoors image he wanted to promote.
Over time he built up the camp to become a resort. To attract wealthy travelers from Washington, D.C. and other parts of the East he organized teas, balls, and costume parties, as well as outdoor spectacles like jousting tournaments.
What Pollock wasn’t was Skyland’s owner. He had trouble keeping up with the mortgage.
Marrying a wealthy divorcee didn’t help his financial problems.
Was Pollock an advocate for establishing the park because of his love of the area? Or was he just hoping the park would put an end to end his financial troubles? I can’t say, but it is known that in his promotion of the area he exaggerated the poverty of the people who lived here in order to convince the government to buy the land. The locals despised him for that.
When the property was sold to the U.S. government to become the park, Pollock wound up gaining nothing from the sale. The banks got everything.
At least 500 families were displaced by the park.