Congratulating the Waterville Hotel

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize The Waterville Hotel, a cherished institution in Waterville, Pennsylvania, as it marks two centuries of service to the Pine Creek Valley community.

In 1825, Abraham Harris founded what was then known as the Harris Hotel, strategically positioned on Route 44 overlooking Little Pine Creek.

It quickly became more than a simple roadside stop. It provided rest, refuge, and warmth for lumberjacks, hunters, fishermen, travelers, and politicians traversing our rugged Pennsylvania Wilds.

As the logging and lumber industry flourished in the 19th century, so did the hotel's significance. It hosted community meetings, business affairs, social gatherings, and even served as a way station for elected officials, becoming an integral part of the region's political and civic fabric.

Through wars, Prohibition, economic strangulation, and the decline of rail, The Waterville Hotel pressed on. Under the stewardship of generations, most notably under Jess and William Smith from 1933 to 1945, it reinvented itself, evolving along with its patrons and the purpose it served, the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Fast-forward to 2023, when local residents Jason McConnell and Vanessa Brown, whose families had roots and ownership of the adjacent country store, joined forces with longtime friend Brad Wyland to revitalize both the hotel and the restaurant.

Their vision has been rooted in pride and preservation, honoring family ties and restoring beloved menu items including a throwback menu featuring The Original Mountain Burger, a culinary emblem of community heritage.

Today, The Waterville Hotel stands as a vibrant hub, serving hearty fare from burgers and fries to vegetarian dishes, complemented by local craft beers and wines. The interior is filled with photographs spanning generations, each snapshot a testament to traditions, memories, and the moments shared.

For many, this hotel is far more than a place to eat or sleep. It is a community gathering place. It is their own Cheers, as longtime staff member Dan Collar described. It is a place where locals and visitors alike return year after year, bound by a shared experience of belonging.

The Waterville Hotel serves as a gateway to the spectacular Pine Creek Valley, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and the Pine Creek Rail Trail.

From summer activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, and fishing to winter pursuits such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing, guests make the hotel their base for outdoor adventures throughout the seasons.

As we celebrate 200 years from its humble origins in 1825 to its enduring cornerstone status today, we honor not just a building but a living legacy woven into the heart of Waterville.

It has cultivated community, supported local economies, and preserved a connection across generations.

Looking ahead, under the stewardship of McConnell, Brown, and Wyland, and buoyed by devoted staff and loyal patrons, the Waterville Hotel embarks on its third century with the same spirit of resilience, innovation, and community pride that has carried it this far.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Waterville Hotel's bicentennial, a symbol of heritage, community, and hope.

May its doors open to new chapters for generations to come.

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