Once a hunting grounds for a number of Native American tribes like the Delaware, Iroquois, Shawnee, Minisink, Lenape and Paupack, the first known European inhabitant (on the record) was Nicholas Depui, who built a home in 1725. The Pocono region saw an influx of European settlers in mid-1700s. A former lumber town, the town’s original name was Forks because five major roads intersected in this town. It was, however, changed to Mount Pocono in 1864 to better appeal to visitors and new transplants. The area quickly developed a reputation as being the place for fresh air, adventure, fantastic fishing, and luxury hotels. During the Prohibition period, which hit Pennsylvania hard, the Poconos hotels advertised themselves as being “friendly mountain resorts” with a wink and an elbow nudge.