Cambridge Springs in Crawford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William D. Rider
1846 - 1905
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2019
1. William D. Rider Marker
Inscription.
In 1895, William D. Rider, a prominent businessman, broke ground for the half - million dollar hotel and resort known as Hotel Rider. It opened on May 1, 1897 and was said to have been one of the finest hotels between New York City and Chicago and the greatest single contribution toward making our town a major mineral springs spa. Standing seven stories high overlooking Cambridge Springs you could see at least 25 miles from the roof garden. The grand lobby could accommodate 1,000 guests, and had steam heat, wood-burning fireplaces, stenciled plaster walls and oak woodwork. There were bowling alleys, billiard rooms, a barbershop, ballroom, theatre, indoor swimming pool and gyms for men and ladies. Offices for the Postal Telegraph Co. and Bell Telephone Co. were there also. In 1904 the hotel hosted an international chess tournament. The Hotel Rider was destroyed by a fire on Jan. 20, 1931.
Erected in 2016 for the sesquicentennial
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1897.
Location. 41° 48.197′ N, 80° 3.568′ W.
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Marker is in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of Venango Avenue (U.S. 6) and Spring Street, on the right when traveling west on Venango Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Spring Street, Cambridge Springs PA 16403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania and in Greater Erie. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,475 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 15, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
