An undated photograph of the Williamstown House Hotel, 205 E. Market Street, Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. This photo appeared in the Williamstown Sesquicetennial Book along with the following description of the hotel:
This hotel… situated in the center of the town… [is] in close proximity to the principal business houses, besides being commodious, roomy, and home-like, was one of the pioneer hostelries of [Williamstown], and from its inception had been landlorded by persons who were well versed in catering to the varies wants of the traveling public and the diversified tastes of its local patrons who were always numerous. From its roomy porch, which extends the length of its hundred-foot front, a delightful view is had of the Peter’s Mountain (also known as Berry’s Mountain or South Mountain) which overshadows the waters of the Wiconisco Creek, which flows at its base some two hundred yards distant, and the scene presented when the mountain slopes are draped in the garniture of spring and summer, or in the royal vestments of autumn, is of surpassing loveliness.
It had for its next door neighbor the Shadel Opera House, whose auditorium was commodious, while its upper rooms were occupied by Budd’s Pool and Billiard Parlor and by various secret societies. The Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran and Methodist Churches and the stately public school buildings, are within hailing distance. The depot of the Williams Valley Railroad, connecting with the outer world in every direction, was within five minutes’ walk. The Dauphin and Schuylkill trolley line, connecting Lykens and Wiconisco with Tower City, Reinerton, and Barmont, ran directly in front, its cars passing and re-passing throughout the day and night.
The office of the Williamstown Times newspaper was within a stone’s throw. The baseball grounds and grove were within a few hundred yards. The Williamstown Colliery, one of the most extensive and productive in the anthracite region, perched on a spur of Broad Mountain overlooking the town and hotel from the north, a fraction over a mile distant, was of easy access by a public road. It was always a point of interest to tourists and casual visitors.
Farmers came into town on Friday and secured rooms overnight and stabled horses at John Mates barn, located directly behind the hotel. The farmers would arise early, eat at the hotel, then proceed to huckster their farm goods until all were sold. They returned to the hotel to eat the evening meal and return home.
The hotel, started by M. Martin Maher, has since been landlorded by Messrs. E. B. Noviock, who had it enlarged and improved; Fauber Brenan, R. W. Shade, J. H. Pontius, John Welsh, who in 1884 sold the good-will to Solomon Hess, who purchased the property from the Noviock estate and landlorded it for twenty-two years, his widow succeeding, carrying on the business for four years. William H. Blecker, of Lebanon, ran it for a short period of time, and on the 22nd of June, 1908, sold out to Mr. Isaac D. Shammo, an obliging and experienced employee of the house for many years. The house has always been noted for its excellent service and punctilious attention. The charges were reasonable. Excellent stabling was connected with the premises and efficient horsekeepers were always on hand.
The individuals in the photo are not identified.
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Photo from the Sesquicentennial History of Williamstown and Williams Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, published in 1976. For availability of copies of this book, contact the Williamstown and Williams Township Historical Society, 115 W. Market Street, Williamstown, Pennsylvania 17098.
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