“Vickie’s Valley Inn” was located on the south side of Route 209 at the west end of Loyalton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, along the bank of the Wiconisco Creek. The fate of this building has been connected with its location since Hurricane Agnes devastated the business in 1972. The photograph above was taken about one year before the business permanently closed.
The restaurant and bar on this site was formerly known as “Pete Kennedy‘s Valley Inn,” but had been purchased by Leona Reisch in 1969. In 1972, patrons barely escaped as the flood waters from the hurricane rose rapidly and seriously damaged the building. It remained unoccupied and in disrepair until 1976 when it was purchased by Marlin Shade who re-opened it as the “Valley Inn.” Shade’s own band, “The Vagabonds,” performed here regularly, but outside groups were also contracted to perform. Eventually, the property was sold and re-named “Vicki’s Valley Inn” and operated as such for several years before another storm in 2011 permanently put the restaurant and bar out of business.
Although it was believed that the building was soundly constructed in 1930 from timbers salvaged from the Clark’s Ferry Bridge, the constant flooding of the Wiconisco Creek weakened the foundation. The owners in the 1930s, Robert Aboff and Ida [Bloom] Aboff, called their business the “Aboff Bar and Pool Hall.”
Over the years of operation the restaurant and bar business included entertainment such as square dancing, a pool hall and local band entertainment. Cock fights were also held here on a regular basis.
For a time during the 1940s, the building was an auto supply with gas pumps installed in front. In order to accommodate the weight of cars that were serviced here, a steel beam was installed under the floor. A coal yard was also located behind the building.
Today, although the building looks whole, inspections have determined that it would take a significant amount of money to make it usable as a business again. The restaurant signs are gone and “no trespassing” notices appear on the front doors.
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