Hotels
Updated - 11/07/2023
Hotels or other establishments offering temporary residence were a surprisingly common feature of many small towns or rural areas decades ago, due in part to the fact that travel wasn't as efficient or quick as it is today. Usually, the more hotels or rooming houses a town had, the more prosperous it was. At first glance, Auburn, Pennsylvania doesn't seem like it would have had any real demand for such establishments due to the fact that it is a relatively small town in a reasonably rural setting without any apparent draw. However, during it's peak, Auburn was a hub of activity due to multiple locks of the Schuylkill Navigation System (Schuylkill Canal) as well as three separate Railroad stations all within the Auburn Area. As a result, the town of Auburn once had several establishments which offered room and board to residents, both temporary and long-term.
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Jefferson Hotel
(a.k.a. Mohn's Hotel) While not within the town limits of Auburn in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the Jefferson Hotel was located approximately two miles west of Auburn in the small settlement of Jefferson (hence the name). Therefore, the hotel was within the "Auburn-area" geographical limits set for our historical society. The Jefferson Hotel was marked as having been owned in 1863 by an individual with the moniker "A. Reber" as the map pictured on the right indicates. When, and who, named the hotel "Jefferson Hotel" is currently unknown. "A. Reber" may have been either an Abraham Reber (1794-1862) or an Adam Reber (1781-1860), both of whom are interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, Summer Hill Road, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA, where a later Jefferson Hotel proprietor named Wesley Reber is also interred. However, whether either of these "A. Rebers" owned and operated the hotel is purely speculative; especially since Adam died three years prior to the map being published while Abraham died the year before it was published. However, if the map maker was working on information gathered prior to 1863, then a possibility exists it may have been Abraham Reber. The Jefferson Hotel was later owned and operated by an Alvin Z. Mohn circa 1896. A snippet in a news article found within the Reading Eagle dated January, 1896, reads: "Subsequently (Daniel) Steffe assaulted A. Z. Mohn, proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel, and also broke a lot of furniture. Mr. Mohn had him arrested and Steffe is lodged in jail awaiting trial." A second snippet later that same month reads: "Schuylkill Court - Alvin Z. Mohn (proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel), South Manheim Township, who is an applicant for the retail liquor license, on the grounds that the house is not necessary and that he has sold liquor on Sunday and on Election Day; also to minors, and that his bond is not sufficient. The papers were filed against him by W. M. Fausset." Apparently, hotel management did not suit Mr. Mohn. By February, 1896 a news snippet in the Reading Eagle reads: "A. Z. Mohn, proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel, will move into town in April and manufacture cigars. Westley Reber will take charge of the Hotel." Alvin Z. Mohn was born in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, PA, on 04/09/1865. He was the son of Peter Mohn and Elizabeth Catharine Zimmerman Mohn. He was a brother of Mary Z. Mohn Schad, Sarah Mohn Metz and Valentine Z. Mohn (although gender-neutral, the name "Valentine" here indicates a male). Alvin married (Sara or Sarah?) Sallie Valeria Berger Mohn in 1888. They had the following children: Albert W. Mohn, George Robert Mohn and Mary Edna Mohn. Presently, it is uncertain as to whether or not Alvin pursued a career in cigar-making in Auburn as previously indicated in this narrative. Alvin died in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA and was interred within the St. Michael's Union Church cemetery, Tilden Township, Berks County, PA. ********************************************* According to the above-quoted newspaper article, an individual named "Westley Reber" intended to take charge of the (Jefferson) Hotel in 1896. A presumption is made that the article may have misspelled that individual's first name and it should have been "Wesley". A website findagrave.com search for a "Westley" Reber failed to produce any viable results. A second search for a "Wesley" Reber indicated a highly probably candidate. Wesley Reber was born on 07/04/1858. He was the son of Charles Carl Reber and Lovina Overbeck Reber. He was a brother of Daniel Reber, George Washington Reber, Hannah R. Reber, Jacob E. Reber, Mary Ann Reber Stout and William Francis Reber. Wesley married Ellen Reichert Reber. They had at least two children: Ida F. Reber Kerschner and John Milton Reber. Wesley died on 05/03/1942 and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. ********************************************* An on-line obituary for Melvin J. Reber states that he was an "owner with (of the?) Jefferson Hotel". The website findagrave.com has a listing for a Melvin "Pappy" I. Reber (either the obituary or the website appears to have had his middle initial incorrect). Melvin "Pappy" (I. or J.) Reber was born in Adamsdale, Schuylkill County, PA, on 06/18/1932. He was the son of Lee Grant Reber and Agnes Fidler Reber. He was a brother of Forest L. Reber, Mavrin (not Marvin) Earl Reber, Merlin George Reber and Regina D. Reber Moyer Augustine. What Melvin's relationship, if any, to the prior proprietor of the hotel, Wesley Reber, is unknown at this time. Melvin married Evelyn "Effie" Donton Reber. There is no indication of the union producing children on the website findagrave.com. Melvin, in addition to being proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel at one time (circa 1950s - 1970s?), also worked for a period of time at Craftex Mills east of Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. One of his Craftex Mills co-workers recalled that Melvin, his brother Merlin, and Harold Reber (relationship to Melvin uncertain) were all "characters", adding that there was "never a dull moment" when they were near. The contributor also mentioned that Melvin raised livestock "nearby" and did butchering while managing the hotel. Melvin died in the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Montour County, PA, on 01/16/2008. He was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Keller's Hotel
(a.k.a. - "Bell" or "Bella" Keller's hotel) Keller's Hotel is somewhat of a mystery as very little information is available about this venture. In the booklet titled "Things I Remember of Auburn" by Verna Geesaman, she writes that Auburn once simultaneously had "three hotels, one owned by John Fahl, and one owned by John Schuckers, one owned by Bell(e) Keller, Canal St.". An undated and non-sourced handwritten note found within the Auburn Area Historical Society's archives states that "Belle" Keller had a hotel on Canal Street (of Auburn). A 1905 Auburn Business Directory lists "Kellar, Mrs. Bella (misspelled - should have been "Belle"), hotel" under the business listings but does not provide an address or further information. A 1910 Census of Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania lists residents of "Railroad Street". Canal Street, on which the Keller hotel was supposedly located, was officially renamed "Railroad Street" in the 1880s although many local residents kept referring to it by its original name of Canal Street. In this census, a "Belle Keller", 49 years of age, is listed as the head of household for a property there. Her son, Ralph Geissenheiner, 28 years of age, is residing with her. A "boarder", Jackson Moyer, 63 years of age, is also living within the structure and his occupation is listed as that of bartender in a hotel. This "Jackson Moyer" appears to have been the same individual who once was owner and proprietor of the Hotel Delmonico located just a few hundred yards away from Canal Street. Whether he was working as a bartender in Belle's hotel, in his old hotel "Hotel Delmonico", or in one of the other hotels in town, is uncertain. According to the 1875 DeBeers Atlas map of Auburn, a J. Moyer once resided in a structure located between the Schuylkill Canal and Canal Street (later called Railroad Street). Considering the 1910 census, a possibility exists that perhaps "Belle" Keller purchased the property from Jackson Moyer and opened a boarding house in which Jackson remained as a tenant, serving as a bartender in her "hotel". While this is presently speculation, it would explain the citing of a "Keller" hotel along Canal Street (laterRailroad Street) in Auburn. The proprietor of this hotel was Mary Belle Jones Geissenhainer Keller. Mary Belle was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1860. She was the daughter of Wellington Jones and Mary A. Moyer Jones. She was a sister of Cara Augusta Jones, Fulton Nicholas Jones and Lillie R. Jones Immel. Mary Belle was married at least twice. She was the wife of Lewis Gissenhainer (or Geissenhainer), from whom she was subsequently divorced. Her second husband was Philip Keller. A note states she was widowed (via Philip Keller) by 1900. She was a mother to Ralph Lewis Geissenhainer. Mary Belle died in Auburn on June 26, 1931, and is interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pa. |
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Eagle Hotel
(a.k.a. - "Auburn Hotel"; "Auburn House"; "Berger's hotel"; "Bressler's Hotel"; Brobst's hotel; Fahl's hotel; Henry's hotel; "Hotel Auburn"; Krammes' hotel; Raush's hotel; "St. Elmo's Hotel"; & "Washington Hotel") The Eagle Hotel was a stately three story brick Victorian structure which served as Auburn's primary hotel. The building was built sometime in the mid-1800s, possibly by S. M. Young, at the intersection of Front and Market Streets of Auburn. Unfortunately, Internet searches of the website findagrave.com had no conclusive listings for this individual, and Internet search engines failed to produce any viable results as well. ********************************************* In a vintage hand-drawn map dated 1855, there is a vague reference to a "Berger's hotel" listed on this site. ********************************************* The "Eagle Hotel" is clearly listed on an 1875 DeBeers Atlas map of Auburn, PA. The hotel was ideally located, not only along the main thoroughfare of Auburn, but it was also near the railroad terminals of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Reading Railroad and the Schuylkill & Susquehanna (or "S & S") Railroads, as well as office and canal lock for the Schuylkill Navigation System. Unfortunately, the owner of the hotel at that time is not indicated. ********************************************* By 1877, the hotel had been renamed the "ST. ELMO HOTEL". A vintage newspaper with an Auburn, PA byline featured the following news: "The proprietor of the St. Elmo Hotel (of Auburn) has a chicken which has attained the remarkable age of 14 years." James "Geedy" Raush was born in Maiden Creek Township, Berks County, PA on September 12, 1837. James was the son of Abraham Raush and Mary Long Raush. He was a brother of seven siblings, three brothers and four sisters. James was twelve years old when his family moved to Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA circa 1850. In 1860, James married Catharine S. Rhine Raush. The couple had twelve children to include: Annie Raush; Caroline "Carrie" Raush; Catherine (or Katherine) "Kate" Raush; Charlotte Raush; David Fitzgivens Rausch (Raush); Enoch A. Raush; Ida Raush Jungling; Laura Raush; Lillian "Lillie" M. Raush Mengel, Munroe Raush and Peter A. Rausch (Raush). In 1862, James became a brakeman on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna (S&S) Railroad. He was eventually promoted to the position of engineer, which he continued as such until 1877. In 1877, James became owner and proprietor of the St. Elmo Hotel in Auburn, in which position he served until 1888*. In connection with the hotel, James also kept a feed store, coal yard and grocery store. After selling the hotel, he continued with his feed store, coal yard and grocery store. James owned and operated a "feed store" located at 132 Market Street, Auburn. He promoted himself as a dealer in coal, feed, flour, grain, lime and other products. The feed store had a large porch roof which extended well over the sidewalk in front of his establishment. Amateur local historian Kermit Mengel (deceased) stated James was given the nickname "Geedy" because whenever he drove his wagon about town, he would urge the horse or horses by yelling "Geedy up!". Male residents of the town enjoyed loitering at "Geedy's" store, either lounging beneath the porch roof in the summer months or seated around the pot-belly stove, which was stoked so hot it glowed cherry-red, in the winter months, spitting the juices of their chewing tobacco at either the stove, the spittoons or sometimes simply on the floor of the establishment according to amateur historian Kermit Mengel (now deceased). In 1897, James was appointed as post master, a position he held until his death. James died January 13, 1904 and was interred in the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. ********************************************* An early advertisement was promoting the following: "ST. ELMO HOTEL, LEWIS R. HENRY, Prop. The Leading Hotel. Choice Brands of Liquors, Wines & Cigars. Table or Transient Boarding by the Week or Month. Stabling Attached. Auburn, Pa.". An on-line biography of Lewis states that he purchased the business circa 1896* and operated it for "five years" until he sold the property in 1891. (*NOTE: There exists an apparent overlap in ownership between the time James "Geedy" Raush quit proprietorship of the hotel, supposedly in 1888, and the time that Lewis R. Henry began proprietorship of the hotel, supposedly in 1886. Which date, if either, is accurate is uncertain at this time.) Lewis R. Henry was born in Pennsylvania on 09/09/1855. He was the son of John Henry and Lydia Reinhart Henry. He was a brother of Amanda Henry Teter, Amelia M. Henry Leibensperger, Jonathan A. Henry, Lydia Henry Drey, Mary Henry Wessner, Sarah A. Henry Gehret and Wilson A. Henry. Lewis married Ellavine B. Leiby Henry. They had the following children: Alberta Henry Robinhold, Curtis L. Henry, Effie (Euphemia?) L. Henry Deam, Ellen Rush Henry Elliott, Estella C. Henry Rhoads, Mary Lydia Henry Hahn, Warren W. Henry and Welmar L. Henry. According to his death certificate, Lewis died of septicaemia caused by appendicitis in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA, on 06/19/1923. He was interred within the St. Michael's Church cemetery, Birdsboro, Berks County, PA. His obituary mentions that (besides the "St. Elmo's Hotel" in Auburn), Henry was a prior proprietor of the "Mansion House" hotel and the West End Hotel in Reading. On his death certificate, his occupation is listed as "Hotel Landlord". ********************************************* It's estimated that sometime between its period as the "St. Elmo Hotel" and the latter "Hotel Auburn" (a.k.a. - the "Auburn Hotel", the structure spent a brief period of time known as the "Washington Hotel". ********************************************* Circa 1901, John Howard Fahl had purchased and rechristened the structure, previously known as the "Eagle Hotel" and "St. Elmo Hotel", as the “Hotel Auburn”. He promoted his business venture as “Rebuilt”, “Newly Furnished”, with “Steam Heat” and “Good Stabling and Delivery Accommodations”. He offered such "luxuries" as access to a “Bell Telephone” and to “a bar supplied with fine liquors and cigars”. On the third floor was “Fahl’s Auditorium” which was available “To Rent for Balls and Entertainments”. The same auditorium was also used for practice by the Auburn Band. John operated this hotel for approximately ten years. John Howard Fahl was born in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA on 05/26/1872. He was the son of James William Fahl and Amanda Dietrich Fahl. He was a brother of Charles Edward Fahl, George Washington Fahl, Joshua W. Fahl, Lewis Fahl, Maurice A. Fahl and William H. Fahl. John married Elizabeth Louise Ebling Fahl on 12/09/1895. They had the following children: James Ebling Fahl, Louise Jeanette Fahl Hoy, Martha Amanda Fahl, Mary E. Fahl Kellogg and Ruth Anna Fahl Nuss. In or about that same year, John relocated to Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. He accepted employment at the Delaware Seamless Tube Mill for approximately six years. He then left that employment when the mill temporarily shut down and, circa 1901, began his life as a hotelier in his newly renamed "Hotel Auburn". A Miners' Journal newspaper article dated Tuesday, January 11, 1910 read "While coasting (sledding) Mary, the fifteen-year-old daughter of John H. Fahl, of Auburn, sustained probable fatal injuries." NOTE: We are happy to report that Mary E. Fahl Kellogg not only survived her injuries, but she later married and lived to the respectable age of 82. John Howard Fahl purchased the previously named Auburn Flouring Mills circa 1910 (probably from Aaron Krause "A. K." Frederici). He is believed to have possibly paid $4,000 for the property. John renamed the business the "Auburn Roller Mill(s)", which he owned and operated until at least 1929 and possibly as late as 1937. A news snippet from an unidentified and undated source stated "The plant has up-to-date equipment (and a) full roller process". The mill produced the "White Lily" brand of flour. He is believed to have sold the property to Francis C. Phillips. A booklet titled "Turning the Pages of Time" produced by "The Call" newspaper indicates that Fahl sold the property in 1929 to Harry Brommer and that Brommer, in turn, sold the property to Francis C. Phillips in April, 1935. However, according to another booklet titled "Turning the Pages of Time", produced by "The Call" newspaper, John Howard Fahl sold the mill property to a Howard Ney, who in turn sold the property to Francis C. Phillips sometime in the "late 1920s". These articles are in total disagreement with the information they provide. Clearly, the information provided in the booklets "Turning the Pages of Time" cannot be trusted to be 100% accurate or factual. As mentioned above, John also purchased the mill property circa 1910 and may have retained the property until 1937. However, in the publication of the Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania genealogy published in 1916, there is a biography of John H. Fahl in which it states that he purchased the mill from William Wert. This seems to contradict the physical evidence that exists in the form of business invoices issued by both Aaron Krause "A. K." Frederici and William Wert. William Wert's invoices are dated in the mid-1890s while Aaron Frederici's invoices are dated in the early 1900s. Therefore, it stands to reason that John Howard Fahl would have had to purchase the mill from Frederici, not Wert. In the the Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania genealogy published in 1916, there is a biography of Charles H. Krammes. The publication states that Krammes purchased the "Auburn House" (hotel) from John H. Fahl on February 1, 1911. In 1911, John became a director of Auburn's first bank, the First National Bank of Auburn. He also was a director of the thriving Auburn Shale Brick Company and a trustee on the Auburn Board of Trade. He served as a member and secretary of the Auburn School Board. He was employed as the Auburn Borough's tax collector and served as the President of the Auburn Borough Council. On April 1, 1915, he was appointed postmaster of the Auburn Post Office. John also was one of the founders and treasurer of the Auburn Hose Company. On the social level, John was a member and served as treasurer for three different Auburn-based groups: the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), the I.O.R.M. (Improved Order of Red Men) and the P.O.S. of A. (Patriotic Order of the Sons of America). John died in Auburn on 10/12/1935 and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. ********************************************* In the publication of the Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania genealogy published in 1916, there is a biography of Charles H. Krammes. The publication states that Krammes purchased the "Auburn House" (hotel) from John H. Fahl on February 1, 1911. Why the genealogy refers to the hotel as the "Auburn House" is uncertain because it was named the "Hotel Auburn" during at least John Howard Fahl's proprietorship, into Charles Henry Krammes' proprietorship, and including Curtis E. Krammes' proprietorship after him. Charles Henry Krammes spent a brief period as a carpenter for ten years before going into the hotel business. In addition to the "Auburn House" (Hotel Auburn) cited in the aforementioned genealogy, he also was the proprietor at one time of an unidentified hotel in Summit Station; the "Red Lion Hotel" in Washington Township; an unidentified hotel in Rock; an unidentified hotel in Friedensburg; the "Half-way House" in North Manheim Township and the "Springer Hotel" in Cressona. There is no mention of his having sold the hotel by the time the genealogy was printed in 1916. Charles Henry Krammes was born on 02/12/1851. He was the son of Benjamin B. Krammes and Louisianna "Lucy Ann" Krammes Krammes Heimbach (Lucy was the daughter of a Daniel Krammes and Maria Magdelena Strause Krammes; Charles was Lucy's first of two husbands). Charles was a brother of Benjamin L. Krammes, David J. Krammes, Franklin "Frank" S. Krammes, James Krammes, Levi Krammes, Milton D. Krammes, Polly (Pauline?) Ann Krammes Ditzler and William W. Krammes. Charles married Sarah Jane Roeder Krammes. They had the following twelve children: Brua Clinton Krammes, Carrie (Carolina?) Virginia Krammes Clauser, Curtis E. Krammes (who would briefly manage the "Hotel Auburn" after his father withdrew from proprietorship), Elerttie E. Krammes Fegley, Fronie (Sophronia?) Jane Krammes Madenford, Hattie (Harriet?) F. Krammes (died at four years of age), Mabel A. Krammes Wilson, Mary L. Krammes Moyer, Qora M. Krammes Kantner, Richard E. Krammes, Rufus Victor Krammes (proprietor of the Columbus Hotel in Schuylkill Haven) and (Sara or Sarah?) Sallie A. Krammes Emerich. Charles died on 07/18/1932 and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. ********************************************* A "Curtis E. Krammes" was once proprietor of the hotel after his father Charles Henry Krammes, withdrew from proprietorship, but the time span in which he served in this capacity is uncertain. He is believed to have operated the hotel with his wife "Annie" sometime after 1916. Curtis E. Krammes was listed in the website findagrave.com as having been one of twelve children of Charles H. Krammes and his wife Sarah Jane Roeder Krammes. He was the brother of Brua Clinton Krammes, Carrie (Carolina?) Virginia Krammes Clauser, Elerttie E. Krammes Fegley, Fronie (Sophronia?) Jane Krammes Madenford, Hattie (Harriet?) F. Krammes (died at four years of age), Mabel A. Krammes Wilson, Mary L. Krammes Moyer, Qora M. Krammes Kantner, Richard E. Krammes, Rufus Victor Krammes (proprietor of the Columbus Hotel in Schuylkill Haven) and (Sara or Sarah?) Sallie A. Krammes Emerich. Unfortunately, an exhaustive search of the Internet search engines failed produce any results for Curtis, and he is not listed on the website findagrave.com as having been interred anywhere in the United States, so no further information is available about Curtis, his wife "Annie", or any children they may or may not have had, at this time. ********************************************* A "Clarence Brobst" is believed to have operated the hotel after World War I. In a 1924 advertisement the hotel was referred to as "the Auburn Hotel". Whether or not this was an official change from the "Hotel Auburn" is uncertain at this time. Clarence Sylvester Brobst was born in Pinedale, Schuylkill County, PA, on 01/29/1895. He was the son of Milton H. Brobst and Sarah E. Luckenbill Brobst. Clarence served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He was assigned to the U.S.A.A.S., Section 554. He served from 07/09/1917 until 04/22/1919. Clarence married Sue Ebling Brobst in 1921. They had at least one child: Richard G. Brobst, who was born in Auburn and who was a veteran of World War II. Clarence died in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, on 04/17/1973 and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. ********************************************* In the mid-1920’s, the hotel was sold to Oscar “Socky” E. Bressler. An undated and non-sourced newspaper clipping states that Bressler and his family lived in the hotel during the 1930s. It is believed that the hotel hosted a weekly auction on site where, among other things, whole bunches of bananas "like grow on trees" would be sold. Auburn-resident Sarah Berk recalled her father would purchase an entire bunch, paying usually fifty-cents to one dollar a bunch. He would return home and hang the bunch in the cellar and then the family "feasted on the bananas for the whole week". Auburn historian Kermit Mengel stated that many residents would spend a great deal of time at Bressler's bar (within the hotel) in the 1930s & 1940s. Whether or not the hotel officially changed names is uncertain, but it was referred to as "Bressler's Hotel" in certain advertisements. You could request for a reservation by calling "13 - R - 4". Oscar "Socky" E. Bressler was born in 1892. He married Cora O. Bressler and they had at least two children: Anna A. Bressler Schollenberger and Twila May Bressler Dewald. Oscar died in 1958 and was interred within the St. John's Reformed Church cemetery, Friedensburg, Schuylkill County, PA. Very little information could be discovered about Oscar using the website findagrave.com and Internet search engines. ********************************************* Mention of "the Eckert family" owning and operating the hotel is found but no dates accompany the entry so this is currently unconfirmed. An Eckert family did own an all brick rooming house a half block further west on Market Street, so it's possible there was some confusion about this issue. ********************************************* According to an article by prior Auburn resident Robert Carl, "Auburn had one hotel, the Washington, which is still there." However, Robert doesn't clarify to which hotel he is referring, when that hotel was operational, or whether the structure simply is still present. The assumption is that he was referring to the structure located at the junction of Front and Market Streets. ********************************************* Unfortunately, the hotel’s profitability was declining. The Schuylkill Canal hadn't operated for decades, and the railroad travel was rapidly becoming obsolete as motorized vehicles became the preferred means of transportation. Even the garment and textile industry, once so profitable for Auburn, was in decline. The attractive balcony which once graced the eastern end of the building was deteriorating and subsequently removed for safety reasons. The grand hotel, which had faithfully served Auburn for decades, closed its guest register for its final time. The building was then converted into apartments and still serves as a rental property to its tenants. |
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Eckert's boarding house
(a.k.a. Irvin Eckert's boarding house) Eckert's Boarding House was located at 124 Market Street, Auburn, PA. The lot originally hosted a shoe shop which was abandoned and subsequently demolished when the business relocated. Francis "Irvin" Irvin Eckert then purchased the property circa 1928 for $2,500. He then had a solid three story brick structure constructed for his wife and eight children at the cost of $15,353.67. A portion of this structure he used as a boarding house to supplement their income by renting or leasing the rooms to guests and providing them with meals. Several years later, "Irvin" opened "Eckert's Cafe" on this site, a small eatery as well as a butcher shop. After Ecker'ts departure, Gary Geschwindt operated a funeral home within this building for several years. Once the commercial interests were no longer present, the structure became long-term rental apartments. Unfortunately, the building experienced a devastating accidental fire in 2005 (from a child playing with a cigarette lighter) and became inhabitable. The ruins were then demolished for safety reasons. |
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Borkey's boarding house
(a.k.a. - Hannah Borkey's boarding house) Borkey's boarding house was located at 133 Market Street and is believed to have been constructed in 1885 (based upon the date engraved on a decorative stone block located within the front wall). The structure was the site of numerous business enterprises to include an early store and restaurant combination (pictured here) whose proprietorship is uncertain, Auburn's first bank (the First National Bank of Auburn), Leon "Scrappy" Staller's Ice Cream Parlor and Luncheonette and, for a period of time, Borkey's Boarding House which offered meals and tourist lodging. You could contact the proprietor, Mrs. Hannah Borkey, by dialing Auburn 3-2. Although this structure is still standing, it presently serves as a private residence with no commercial interests. The condition of the structure has since deteriorated to the extent that it may no longer be considered a viable option for restoration to its former elegance. |
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