Ambridge in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Economy Hotel

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 13, 2022

1. Economy Hotel Marker

Inscription. Visitors to Economy stayed at the hotel in the center of town on the southwest comer of 14th and Merchant Streets. Owned and operated by the communal Harmony Society, hired workers later staffed the establishment in the 1890s. Eventually the hotel was sold and torn down around 1905.
The Marquis de Lafayette, William Henry Harrison on the way to his presidential inauguration, President Zachary Taylor, and Rudyard Kipling sojourned at the hotel. One visitor remarked that he was told to arrive promptly at 4:30 for supper, so as not to keep others waiting. One day he found out why. The "tramps” or "unfortunates,” as they were called, were fed after the other guests and staff. The Harmony Society fed and sheltered 15 to 25 of them each day.

Erected by Ambridge Historic District, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Ambridge Rotary Club, Old Economy Village.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 40° 35.805′ N, 80° 13.84′ W. Marker is in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. It is at the intersection of Merchant

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Street and 14th Street, on the right when traveling south on Merchant Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ambridge PA 15003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Water Pump, Bank, Restaurant, Croatian Club (a few steps from this marker); Distillery, Cider Press, and Laundry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blacksmith and Wagonmaker Shops (about 400 feet away); First Harmonist Church and Fire Department (about 400 feet away); Carriage House and Summer Kitchen (about 500 feet away); Harmony Society Church (about 500 feet away); Harmonist Church / St. John's Lutheran Church (about 500 feet away); Schools (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ambridge.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 13, 2022

2. Economy Hotel Marker

Left Photos

The hotel pump on the northeast corner of the intersection, and the livery stable on the southeast corner, completed the hotel complex.

North Side of the Economy Hotel

Just west of here, the first Frederick Rapp House on the north side of 14th Street became the "Tramp Hotel" or the "Hotel of the Unfortunates."

Hotel Dining Room
Hotel Office
The hotel had one of the first telephones in town, indicated by the bell sign.
Beer signs on the hotel.

Economy Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 13, 2022

3. Economy Hotel

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 13, 2022

4. Economy Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.