Genetti Hotel

Genetti Hotel
Front entrance to the Genetti Hotel
Former names	Lycoming Hotel
General information
Status	Operational
Address	200 W 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701
Town or city	Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Coordinates	41°14′28″N77°00′20″W / 41.2410°N 77.0056°W / 41.2410; -77.0056
Construction started	1921
Opened	1922
Cost	$900,000
Owner	Genetti Hotels
Height	192 feet
Technical details
Floor count	11
Lifts/elevators	3
Design and construction
Architect(s)	William Lee Stoddart
Website
http://www.genettihotel.com/

Genetti Hotel, based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was built in 1921. It was originally named Lycoming Hotel.

History

The hotel was built in 1921, in the midst of Williamsport's logging boom. The hotel opened on June 21, 1922, as Lycoming Hotel. ^{[1] [2]} It quickly became a destination site for convention planners representing business, civic, military, and professional associates across Pennsylvania. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

The hotel's architect was New Jersey-born William Lee Stoddart. ^[2] The hotel's first manager was John F. Letton. ^{[6] [7]} One of the grand opening ceremonies for the hotel included a formal presentation by a Pittsburgh chapter of The Gideons International, during the afternoon of June 21, 1922, at which time representatives of the organization presented a gift of Bibles to be placed in each hotel room. The Rev. Dr. C. Everest Granger delivered a formal address during that program. ^[8]

A hotel amenity in 1922 and 1923 was a soda and candy fountain that was managed by Christian Kirias. ^[9]

On September 30, 1922, Republican gubernatorial candidate Gifford Pinchot, delivered an address to the Women's Christian Temperance Union at its annual convention that was held at the Lycoming Hotel, which adhered strictly to the federal Prohibition laws that outlawed the sale of alcohol. ^[10] During that speech, Pinchot expressed his support for prohibition as he advocated for the repeal of the Brook's license law to "put the law in Pennsylvania suqarely in accord with the Volstead Act and the Eighteenth Amendment." ^[11]

1970s

In 1975, hotelier Gus Genetti purchased the Lycoming Hotel, announcing that he planned to renovate the facility at an estimated cost of $250,000. Improvements were subsequently made to the hotel lobby, kitchen, restaurant, and ballroom. The name of the hotel was also changed at that time to reflect Genetti's ownership. ^[12]

Construction

Designed by architect William Lee Stoddart, the Lycoming Hotel (now known as the Genetti Hotel) took a little over a year to build, with construction starting in 1921 and the project being completed in 1922. It is the second tallest building in Williamsport as the Trinity Episcopal Church stands 210 feet tall. ^[2]

The hotel has been through many renovations, such as a new modern ballroom, new elevators, and a restoration of the hotel's exterior.

See also

• Georgian Terrace Hotel
• Ellis Hotel
• Penn Tower

References

1. "At Hotel Opening." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Evening News, June 22, 1922, p. 13 (subscription required).
2. Brigandi, Dana (1971). Williamsport: Images of Modern America. Arcadia Publishing. p. 14. ISBN   9781467123600.
3. "The Ex-Service Man's Column." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, August 20, 1022, p. 17 (subscription required).
4. "All Aboard for Wellsboro." Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: The Wellsboro Gazette, December 6, 1922, p. 1 (subscription required).
5. "Legion Convention." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, August 10, 1922, p. 11 (subscription required).
6. "Manager Moves Away." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, June 17, 1922, p. 8 (subscription required).
7. "Tioga County Locals." Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: The Wellsboro Gazette, December 13, 1922, p. 3 (subscription required).
8. "Gideons Present Bibles." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, June 20, 1922, p. 9 (subscription required).
9. "Social." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, November 1, 1922, p. 18 (subscription required).
10. "Women Give Warning on Wet Propaganda." Franklin, Pennsylvania: The News-Herald, October 14, 1922, p. 8 (subscription required).
11. Grundish, William I. "Brooks Law's Repeal Urged by Pinchot at W.C.T.U. Meet." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 1, 1922, front page (subscription required).
12. "Genetti purchases Lycoming Hotel." Berwick, Pennsylvania: Berwick Enterprise, June 2, 1985, p. 15 (subscription required).

External links

• Official website