THE HISTORIC PENN WELLS HOTEL CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL OF ITS GRAND OPENING ON JULY 28, 1926

The Wellsboro Hotel Company is proud to announce the upcoming centennial of a defining moment in the history of Tioga County: the grand opening of the Penn Wells Hotel, which took place 100 years ago on July 28, 1926. This milestone marks a century of hospitality under the Penn Wells name, celebrating a visionary community efort that saved a downtown landmark.

While the site at the intersection of Main Street and Waln Street has hosted travelers since 1816, the legacy of the current building dates back to 1869 when local attorney and real estate investor Albert Pitkin "A.P." Cone began constructing the current hotel building. In the decades that followed, the property experienced fluid ownership and multiple names, most notably operating as the "Coles House" from 1885 to 1920 under brothers J.S. and William Riley Coles.

Following a devastating 1906 fire that claimed the building's fourth floor and Mr. Coles decline in health and

ultimate passing in September 1920, the hotel faced an uncertain future and struggled through the opening years of the 1920s. Recognizing the critical importance of a premier downtown hotel to Wellsboro's economic future, a group of 60 visionary civic and business leaders mobilized in late 1925 to form the Wellsboro Hotel Company. Rather than demolishing the hotel and building a new structure, those community leaders chose preservation. They completely overhauled the interior and exterior, proudly reopening the property as the "Penn Wells Hotel" on July 28, 1926.

The grand reopening in July 1926 was an immediate benefit for the region. Shortly after its historic 1926 debut, the Philadelphia Inquirer heralded the property as "the gem of the Roosevelt Highway." Throughout the late 1920s and the 1930s, the Penn Wells thrived as a vital, high-volume stopover along U.S. Route 6 (then known as the Roosevelt Highway), which served as the preferred route connecting New York City and Chicago. Regular bus lines operated directly from New York’s Waldorf-Astoria to the Penn Wells, bringing a steady stream of tourists, business travelers, and even Hollywood stars to experience the unique hospitality of Wellsboro and the nearby Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

"The reopening on July 28, 1926, was a testament to community stewardship and forward-thinking grit," said Shawn Bryant, CEO of the Wellsboro Hotel Company. "When local leaders came together a century ago to save this property, they ensured that the heart of downtown Wellsboro would remain vibrant. As we celebrate this 100-year milestone, we look back with gratitude for those who laid the foundation on which we continue welcoming travelers to our historic property today. And we take inspiration in their example as we continue the hard work of preserving the Hotel for future generations to enjoy."

Today, as a member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Penn Wells Hotel -- alongside its sister property, the Penn Wells Lodge -- continues to serve as an active, year-round hospitality hub.

For more information regarding historical highlights, reservation availability, or upcoming events, please visit www.pennwells.com.