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Industrialist S. Forry Laucks established Lauxmont Farms as his country estate in 1918. Over time, Laucks pieced together his estate with existing farm lands, which included the Sunken Garden. Eventually he acquired more than 2,000 acres. The Sunken Garden, which features a swimming pool fenced in by wrought iron gates, became the crown jewel of Laucks’ country estate. Laucks used the pool area to wine-and-dine politicians, entertainers, and celebrities of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and singer Kate Smith were among the many celebrities who visited Lauxmont’s Sunken Garden. The Sunken Garden was built by Charles Downing Lay in 1923. The New York-based landscape architect is famous for designing Battery Park, Bryant Park and Madison Square Park in New York City as well as the National Academy of Sciences in the District of Columbia. Lay made water the central theme of the Sunken Garden. The multi-tiered garden includes the swimming pool on the top level, followed by a large fountain on the second level and, finally, breath-taking views of the Susquehanna River in the valley. Roses, iris, azaleas and hydrangeas surround the pool area. In 1973, the Kohr family purchased Lauxmont Farms and began restoring the garden to its 1920s grandeur. After years of work, Ron Kohr, Jr. completed the restoration of the pool, fountain, and bathhouse area in the 2000s. Since opening the Sunken Garden for events, dozens of couples from around the country have been married at the unique location.