Part 5/10:
However, the latter part of the 20th century brought significant changes that began to erode the appeal of the Catskills. As air conditioning became commonplace and gambling opportunities emerged in nearby Atlantic City, families began to seek out new vacation options, and private summer homes began to rise in popularity among the upper middle class. These shifts in guest demographics, combined with the significant operating expenses tied to maintaining such a sprawling property, led to declining visitor numbers.