Virtual Walking Tour of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
The Talleyrand Park Citizens Committee
Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association

Stop 3.  The Bush House Hotel
 

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Built in 1868 and 1869 by Daniel G Bush, the Bush House was one of the first hotels in the country to have electric lights.  Coming to Bellefonte in 1856 as a map salesman, Mr. Bush decided to stay.  Between 1865 and 1873 he constructed nearly twenty-seven (27) buildings, including the Bush House, as part of a post-Civil War boom.  Among his other buildings is the nearby Bush Arcade.  Mr. Bush lived in a mansion on Spring Street.
     There was a man, a town notable, who was in the employ of the Bush House. He stood at the Bellefonte train station and called out to passengers as they disembarked, "Walk ya' to the Bush House." There was fierce competition in those days between the Bush House, the Brockerhoff House, the Haag House, and other hotels for travelers and patrons.  Thomas A. Edison stayed at the Bush House when he came to Bellefonte in connection with electrification of the town.
     In more recent years, the building contained several businesses, including Schnitzels Restaurant, featuring outdoor dining along the banks of Spring Creek, and held receptions of various kinds.  Unfortunately, the Bush House burned to the ground on February 8, 2006.

Click here to view a gallery of historical images of The Bush House and West High Street

                                                   Fred D Smith Collection