The Honesdale citizen. [volume] (Honesdale, Pa.) 1873-1908, 1908-07-09
Additional Nearly Forgotten Facts

MAJ opening OF bne huou houeO, uhu
the writer believes himself the only per-
son nov living who took any part in the
actual mechanical work required 10 the
construction OF the original building.
That service was Of no greater extent
or importance than the painting OF the
numbers, and other necessary lettering,
on the doors OF the various rooms; but
q vivid recollection remains OF the satis-
faction with which the Job wac surveyed
when IL was finished blazing out as it
did in oil the glory Of gold leaf and
Chinese vermilion shading.
Houesdale had several hotels when
the Allen House was built, but its erec'
tion was nevertheless regarded az Deces-
sary to supply the stereotyped ''long
felt want" The old hostelries were
o popular and we'll patronized, but they
were all at that time types Of the old
fashioned wayside tavern, and not in
keeping with the general appearance of
the place, or adequate for thu accommo-
dation Of the travelling public. The
public hotels were tho Wayne Cjunty
| House, built 10 1928, hy Charles Forbes,
and then conducted by K. Reed; the
Mansion Rouse Thomas Sherwood, pro
prietur; the Union Hotel, corner Main
and Ninth streets, Isaac Clinton, land
lord; the Coyne House, corner Main
and 9Th streets. originally built by
Hiram Plum for Augustus Sacket, and
then the property OF Patrick Burns /;
with perhaps some smaller places of en-.
tertainment. All of these concerns were
subsequently, burned or demolished to
make room for more up-to.date struct-
urea, foe stores now occupy ing some Of
the eites, and handsome three story
brick hotels the others. Henry Dart
and Myron Jakway both disposed Of
their hotels IN the fall OF 1856, with the
intention OF going west. The former
located in Rock leland, ILL.,, and the lat
ter in Mettoon, Ill.
fnal erection OF the Allen House first
took shape IL the winter OF 1867.
Samuel Allen, after whom the hotel
was named, and who was it's proprietor
at tho time Of his death, was born in
Chelsea. Vt. November g 1878 He
grew up 10 his native State, and after
some youthful ventures in other direc.
tions, finally bscams quite extensive
~ interested in stage lines, the Con
cord thorough brace coach being at that
time about the only means OF passenger
transportation, and himself having be-
come an expert and popular driver
When twenty five years Of age he mar
ried Miss Betsey Barrett, also O native
OF Vermont. and for the convenience oil
his business changed his residence into
New Hampshire. In few years, how
ever, the construction OF railroad hav
ing paralleled his route in New England
he accepted a proposition TO transfer his
plant to Eastop, in this State. Somt
sharp practice or breach of faith on tht
part OF the parties with whom he hac
been negotiating induced him to start ar
opposition line of his own. which ht
was eventually enabled to dispose o
much to his advantage. Previous Il
lS4S, when the Erie Railroad was ex
tended through Narrowsburg, travel be
tween the soa,board cities and Nortl
EAstern Pennsylvania and Southern
Ne9 York was by the old North ant
South Road, and, after turnpikes sue
oeeded that thoroughfare on the sam
L hxx ha DaI- Qr
the Milford and Owego pikes. In 1851
the Honesdale and Delaware Plank roaC
was finished from Narrowsburg 4
lonesdsle, and stage lines were at ono,
established between those two points
connecting ct Houesdale with line owe
the Noosic to CE5ondale, and thence
to Hyde Park ani the Wyomiog Valley
lr. Allen was proprietor Of tbs Homes
dale-Nlrrowsburs route. with residenc
hero; w. w. Bronson of the Cirbo adal'
line, and "Aleck" Kenner, q brother o
the late David X ,nner. with what woul,
be- called now the scranton end. AL
we're experienced "whipJ," and coul,
handle six horses with quite as muci
grace and safety as though they hs
bsen chariot drivers for circus. Thi
arrangement soon resulted 10 partner
ship between Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Bronson
/ which was existing when the new hote
project came up for consideration.
By the beginning of N lrch, 1857, tn
matter had taken definite shape. Th
lot on which the original and main POI
tiou of the Allen House. stauds. on tn
corner of Ninth aud Church streets, III
to that time had been vacant. Severa
! liberal minded citizons then contribute
sufficient funds for tho purchase of tn
land, and made Messrs Allen Il Bronson
! present of 1t on condition that the,
would erect thereon, duriog that season
O concrete hotel, lGO feet in front an,
three stories in height. 1t was under
stood that the work should be comm snC
O. by the 6rst of Nay ami the building
3 completed by the fret of January, 1885
q By subsequent conveyances from Ny
y ron Jakway (Spslled Jacques in tn
original deed), Ezra Hurlburt, II. /
: Beardslee, c. p. Waller, T. II Russell
d W. II. Dimmick, aud others, the pie
. was very materially enlarged. maxim
possible the very extensive additions
and improvements in the hotel whlc
l. have fiuce been found necessary, an
= affor1ing room for the commodIol
stables. ice-houses, etc. Mr.. Allen
residence at this date was on the nortl
east corner of Court ami Eiev enl
streets, and portion of his stage barn
n then aud for several years atterwarl
on the opposite side OF 1lth stree;,
Henry Heath, then the principal ca
r, penter and contractor OF the town, W
It. engaged to superintend the erection
the building, aud the work was actual