Could you imagine a time when there were fourteen hotels in Tyrone? Thanks to some wonderful sources gathered by Suzanne Sickler Ohl, the founder of the Tyrone Historical Society, we have this story for you.
In the first century of “this place we call home,” there was intense industrial effort, to harvest the forests, to use giant furnaces to create charcoal, or to “smelt the iron ore.” This is largely why the Pennsylvania Railroad was built through Tyrone. Soon, the Mainline of the PRR had 16 trains stopping here westbound and a similar number eastbound. The branch to Lock Haven had 3 trains daily each way, as did the train to Warriors Mark and Scotia, and the train “over the mountain.”
All of this made Tyrone a stopping point for literally hundreds of people every night of the week. So, it was natural that hotels would be built, all within close proximity to the railroad station.
City Hotel and Arlington Hotel
Suzanne concluded that the City Hotel was probably the first to be built, and it’s appropriate that the site is now memorialized as “City Hotel Park” at the corner of Tenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, (or at Main and Juniata Streets, as they were known in the 1850s). John D. Stewart built this hotel. His great grandson, Don, lives here and recalls hearing his family talking over memories of this time.
The Arlington Hotel at the corner of Tenth Street and Logan Avenue was built in 1853 by Joshua Burley, the first Burgess of Tyrone. It later was renamed the Logan Hotel, and finally the Towne House, and had numerous small shops and offices on the first floor, as well as being the bus terminal. It seems like only a few years ago that this hotel was torn down to make way for a convenience store/gas station.
Other Early Hotels
Within a short time, other hotels were built, but did not endure:
- The Tyrone Municipal Building now stands on the site where a hotel with the impressive name of The Constitutional Hotel was built 150 years ago.
- The Mountain View Hotel was next to the river at 951 Pennsylvania Avenue, and by 1924, George Reader’s Barber Shop was in the building, but by then it was no longer a hotel.
- The Farmer’s Hotel on East Tenth Street was later remodeled and used by Dr. Carl Babe for his veterinary clinic.
- The James Hotel was torn down to make way for the current Reliance Bank Building.
- The Myron Hotel became Shope’s Garage, and is now where the business complex is located.
- The Clearfield Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue was later used by Bob DeMay for his Buick dealership.
- The Central Hotel was located at 1300 Penna. Avenue, where a series of pizza shops have been located in the years since then.
- The National Hotel was located at Logan Avenue and 12th Street in the late 1870s — but not for long. By the early part of the 20th Century, it didn’t show in any records.
Keystone, Empire, and Pennsylvania House
If the walls could talk, the Keystone Hotel, located at 1052 Penna. Avenue, would be an interesting place to go and listen. It didn’t last too long as a hotel, and the 1920 City Directory said the upstairs was the location for the “Tyrone Club.” Does anyone know what this organization did in the “Roaring Twenties”? We wonder if you knocked 3 times and said “Joe sent me!”
The Empire House was located at 11th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. C. A. Bumgardner was the owner, but soon it was bought by the Garman family, and for many years was called The Garman House. In the 1920 Directory, it was called the Colonial Hotel, and was “wrapped around” the El Patio Theatre. We’re not sure when it stopped operation. But, in 1942, fire destroyed the entire building stretching from the corner halfway up the block to the Wilson Theatre, and there was no mention of a hotel.
One of the most tragic times in Tyrone’s history took place when the Pennsylvania House, at 1111 Penna. Avenue, was swept by fire with a great loss of life. Those who perished were memorialized by the naming of the new “high rise” apartment building that now stands on the same block of the Avenue.
The Ward House and Beyond
A name that is still well-known is the Ward House. 90 years ago, owner Louis Gruber catered to the growing number of motorists who traveled, by offering auto repairs in the garage that was part of “Tyrone’s Largest Hotel.” A portion of this old hotel remains standing at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Owned by G & R Excavating & Demolition, the old hotel’s first floor storerooms include one with a fascinating exhibit by Penn State Architectural Students who used artifacts from the hotel to create fascinating displays and useful items.
And, believe it or not, there was a hotel in Ironville! (No, there is no “s” in Ironville!) The Susquehanna Hotel was later used as a residence home.
For men who were traveling alone, or looking for a place to live, the YMCA had a group of rooms on the top floor. Many times, servicemen who had to wait for a train the next day would be welcomed to the “Y.”
Just think about the fact that at one point in time, there were 14 hotels in town! Today, there are two Bed & Breakfast facilities, and that’s all!
Share your memories