The last days of the Red Tavern, an Elizabethville landmark on South Market Street across from the railroad station, began when the property was sold at sheriff’s sale in January 1903. Its purchaser, Charles T. Snyder, a Lykens restaurant owner, announced plans to raze the structure and build a modern hotel. In July 1903, Snyder held a sale to sell the Red Tavern furnishings and then the hotel was razed. Meanwhile, a Millersburg architect. William Douden, drew up plans for the hotel. Snyder then sought out building materials and workers to build the new hotel, which he named the Hotel Snyder. It opened in early 1905.
The image above (colorized) is cropped from an old post card view of the Red Tavern.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, January 2, 1903:
The Red Tavern and other real estate of E. W. Jury will be sold at sheriff’s sale.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, January 9, 1903:
E. W. Jury has sold the property known as the “Red Tavern,” opposite the Station to Charles Snyder of Lykens, consideration, $1,600. We learn it is Mr. Snyder’s intention to erect a new and modern hotel on the premises, which will be up to date in all particulars.
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From the Lykens Register, January 9, 1903:
Charles T. Snyder, proprietor of Snyder’s Restaurant on Market Street [Lykens], bought the Red Tavern property at Elizabethville this week and will erect a new hotel on the site. It will be a modern and up-to-date building in every way. Mr. Snyder knows his business, which means Elizabethville will soon have a hotel in keeping with its rapid growth and handsome residences.
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From the Lykens Standard, January 9, 1903:
Charles T. Snyder, proprietor of The Restaurant, this place [Lykens], on Tuesday purchased the Red Tavern at Elizabethville, and the ground pertaining thereto, about one acre, from Emanuel Jury for $1,675. It is Mr. Snyder’s intention to erect a model hotel on the site next summer.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, January 16, 1903:
H. H. Weaver will build a brick liquor warehouse on his land opposite the Red Tavern.
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From the Lykens Standard, Elizabethville News, June 19, 1903:
L. B. Wagner, proprietor of the Red Tavern, fell from the hay loft of his barn and broke his left arm.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, June 26, 1903:
The plans and specifications for the new hotel upon the present site of the old Red Tavern building, are about completed, and work will soon be commenced upon the destruction of the old building, and the erection of the new. The new structure will be a three story brick building, sixty by eighty feet, with a large veranda extending the full length of two sides. On the opposite corner the Swab Wagon Company have already commenced the erection of a three story business block, 54 x 113 feet. These two buildings will be a credit to the town, and will add wonderfully to the appearance of that portion of our thriving village.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, July 3, 1903:
Charles J. Snyder of Lykens is in town [Elizabethville] this week making preliminary arrangements for the erection of the new hotel on the site of the Red Tavern.
Isaah Speck secured a fine picture at the old Red Tavern, prior to its being razed.
Adam Reichard brought to this office on Monday evening a piece of wood taken from an old cupboard which he secured at the old Red Tavern, in which the maker used wooden pins in place of nails to hold it together. Either nails in the days the cupboard was made were scarce or too high in price to be used for all kinds of work.
[Carsonville News] Thomas G. Lentz attended the sale oat the Red Tavern in Elizabethville, on Saturday.
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From the Lykens Standard, July 10, 1903:
Charles T. Snyder has received from Architect William Douden of Millersburg, the plans for his new hotel on the site of the old Red Tavern at Elizabethville, which is being razed. The new structure… when completed will be the finest hotel in the upper end of the county.
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From the Lykens Standard, April 8, 1904:
Charles T. Snyder left for Norristown, Tuesday to hire bricklayers for his new hotel at Elizabethville, which will be erected on the Red Tavern site. All the material for the building has been ordered and work on it will commence in a few days. When completed this will be the finest hotel in every respect in the Upper End, and an ornament to the town, whose beautiful homes are the admiration of all who visit that place.
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News articles are from Newspapers.com.
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