Smethport in McKean County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Great Events in Smethport History
EAST-WEST ROAD (now US Route 6) & Smethport's famous, giant ASTOR HOUSE HOTEL
— Located 707 and 713 W. Main Street —
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
1. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Smethport & the great East-West Road
Authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1809, the construction of the East-West Road opened up settlement across northern Pennsylvania. Mud-rutted roads and corduroy log bridges reached across what is now basically US Route 6 to Smethport and then west to Warren, PA, along today's Route 59. Smethport was reached in 1828 and the road followed Main Street. Rainstorms turned the corridor into a wild mud hole. Bricks finally replaced mud and dust in 1908.
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The ASTOR HOUSE HOTEL was Smethport's giant, posh Federal-style hotel built for travelers on the early East-West Road (today U.S. Route 6). The Astor House featured fine dining, elegant accommodations, as well as a tavern and a general store. Built in 1831 the Astor House was an immense 108 feet long & featured a ballroom in the back section.
The Astor House Hotel was destroyed by fire on March 28, 1868.
Erected by Pennsylvania Lumber Heritage Region.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1868.
Location. 41° 48.564′ N, 78° 26.981′ W. Marker is in Smethport, Pennsylvania, in McKean County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Great Events in Smethport History (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); McKean County Civil War Monument (about 500 feet away); 1861: Birth of Civil War Bucktail Regiment (about 600 feet away); American Legion Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Smethport (about 600 feet away); "The Bucktails" (about 700 feet away); McKean County (about 700 feet away); 4 Courthouses on Smethport's "Public Square" (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smethport.
Also see . . . 1858: The Astor House Hotel on the old East-West Highway. smethporthistory.org (Submitted on November 2, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
2. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Top Left photo
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
3. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Bottom Left photo
The original Astor House reached all the way to Holmes Street on the west. Following the 1868 fire owner William Haskell constructed a new residence on the west end of the hotel site. In 1905 the Bouton House was constructed on the east end of the Astor House location.
The original Astor House reached all the way to Holmes Street on the west. Following the 1868 fire owner William Haskell constructed a new residence on the west end of the hotel site. In 1905 the Bouton House was constructed on the east end of the Astor House location.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
4. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Bottom Right photo
The East-West Road was the major thoroughfare across northern Pennsylvania.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
5. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 30, 2021
6. Great Events in Smethport History Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
