Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Eagle Hotel and Bolton Hotel

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. Eagle Hotel and Bolton Hotel Marker

Inscription. On the site directly across the street stood the Eagle Hotel, a three-story brick structure opened by George Buehler in January of 1812. It was here that Charles Dickens stayed when touring America in 1842 during which time he authored "American Notes" and in which he praised the hotel's proprietor. The Eagle Hotel was enlarged under the new ownership of the Bolton family in the early 1860's when it was renamed the Bolton Hotel. At that time, a series of neighboring townhouses that had earlier been joined together to form the Eagle were capped with a fourth and fifth floor and adorned in Second Empire architectural styling. Both the Eagle and the Bolton represented popular destinations for noted individuals and politicians of the 19th century. The building was demolished in 1990 to accommodate the development of the adjacent Hilton Harrisburg.
Photo
Late 1800's view after the Eagle was expanded, "Victorianized" in the Second Empire style and renamed the Bolton.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1812.

Location.

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40° 15.614′ N, 76° 52.967′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is on North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north. Between Strawberry and Walnut Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 N 2nd St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King City Government Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Trust Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square During The Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vance C. McCormick Public Service Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Dauphin County Prison (about 300 feet away); Capital Of The Keystone State Preserved! (about 300 feet away); Market Square (about 300 feet away); Prelude To Gettysburg (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. George J. Heisely Residence and the National Anthem (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Site of Eagle Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. Site of Eagle Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,030 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.