The Old Assateague Island Hunting Lodges
Known today as a national park, Assateague was once the premier duck hunting destination on the east coast. Many local hunters built lodges, some for profit, but mostly just to enjoy the awesome hunting and to get away from their wives..........one lodge was actually called "The Hen-Pecked Lodge" but was burned down many years ago. I have photographed the remaining buildings which are now sealed. Included are imags of some of the interiors which a previous superintendent gave permission (at my own risk) to photograph. When the island became a National Seashore, owners were paid for their properties and given up to 25 years to continue to use them, this time has long expired and the NPS is just letting them "naturally rot away"...seems a shame to me, but after talking to Carl Zimmerman about them I understand the impracticability of the situation.. But A lot of history lost here. My fishing mentor, Capt. Mac Simpson, now 90 worked at some of these lodges when he was sixteen as a guide. He was kind enough to spend most of several winters hiking to all the clubs and telling me many a story of the "good ole days." Since then I have hiked and explored pretty much of the 12 miles of "Oversand Vehicles" area and re-photographed much as digital cameras have come a long way since 2003...enjoy! P.S. I have attempted to be accurate in my captions but I am not an historian nor claim to be one.....One other thing, the photos are in sort of an order and the captions contain information that was verbaly given to me by folks who actually experienced these wonderful places......,THE CAPTIONS ARE THE GOLD IN THIS GALLERY! The captions,at times, flow into the next image so if you have the time or inclination run through them in order.......allen
The "Club Room" was party headquarters after a good meal and a hard day of hunting. My guide on these adventures is Mac Simpson who passed April 2019 at the age of 90.
Susan Mariner
Allen Sklar there used to be big comfy sofas, all around the room. In the center was a large round table that had the legs cut down so as not to interfere with conversation. The table held the necessities... liquor, ice bucket, oysters and other snacks. In the afternoon it was the best place in the world to curl up with a good book by the fire or just look out the windows at Assateague and all it had to offer. It was also the best place to look for the boats to come in from the various blinds. As you well know the island is a great place for walking and the High Winds property was no exception. Thank you for sharing your pictures. A lot of good times in the octagonal living room.
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