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Candlelight Tour and Victorian Christmas Ball
November 14, 2009
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| 1501
Glen Echo Drive 1501 Glen Echo was built in 1968 by Diane and Harold Stroehmann. The architect was John Hoffman. The house is constructed from California redwood and stone in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. It sits on the site of an old quarry, and although Glen Echo Road is not maintained by the City, it predates Vallamont Drive on old City maps. Chairs: Ted and Judee Lyon |
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| 1513
Campbell St. The Tomkin/Phillips home was built in 1932 by Harold Tomkin at the "end" of Campbell Street. This house was designed by Carl Tallman, an architect known for his custom hillside homes. This 10-room home is a quiet French Cottage. The original pegged living room flooring has been relocated to the library and the master bedroom. The dining room features a wonderful 1790 candlelit chandelier. Especially for children is the Phillips' collection of carved horses. Chairs: The Herdic House |
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1310
Campbell St. Chairs: Kathy Fenstamaker |
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800 Park
Place The keystone of Williamsports Millionaires Row National Register Historic District is the Civil War-era railroad hotel known originally as the Herdic House Hotel. Comissioned by lumber baron Peter Herdic, the historic hotel was built by Ever Culver, the architect who disigned most of Peter Herdic's and the city of Williamsport's Historic Buildings. Chairs: Le Jeune Chef Pastry Department |
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Herdic hoped to capitalize on the business from the newsly constructed Pennsylvania Railroad Depot at the rear of the hotel and at the same time stimulate growth in this section of town, of which he had substantial land holdings. He would be successful on all accounts.
Construction of the hotel began during the civil war in 1864 and was completed just after the close of the war in 1865. The building officially opened in September of that year. Completed at a cost believed to be $225,000 though no one knows the actual cost since Herdic asked Culver not to sumbit an estimate, for fear the cost might prevent him from actually building it.
The completed project was a four story hotel built in the Italianate style and capable of housing 700 guests. Situated in the middle of a five - acre park filled with oak trees and flowers, the hotel has a deer park fronting it, containing no less than six deer and a large decorative fountain.
Materials obtained locally were utilized throughout, such as the necessary lumber and marble from Mosquito Valley, which is evident in the First Floor Hall and North Lobby. The hotel contained every convenience for guests such as a telegraphoffice, barbershop, cigar and newstands and several first class restaurants.
Herdic also built a streetcar line to connect the hotel with downtown Williamsport.
The hotel got off to a shaky start when a gas works built especially to light the hotel burned to the ground only hours before the official grand opening. This caused Herdic and his staff scurrying rhroughout Williampsort to buy every oil lamp and candle they could find. Despite this, the opening was a success and the Hotel quickly flourished and gained a reputation as one of the finest hotels on the East Coast.
Unable to survive the financial panic that hit the United States in 1978, Herdic filed for bankruptcy and the Herdic House Hotel was sold at auction for $1200,00. It was purchased by Mr. R.J.C. Walker, the son-in-law of Heridcs' largest creditor, William Weightman and the husband of the woman who would be rumored to be the wealthiest woman in America, Anne Weightman Walker. The Walkers renamed the building the Park Hotel, and performed extensive renovations to the building and grounds while continuing Herdics tradition of making the Hotel the center of social Activity in Williampsort. As the local enonomy and train travel thrived, Williamsport became popular place for conventions and the Hotel a favorite place for visitors and vacationers.
Candlelight Tour 2008
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