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The
Montrose House lot was cleared and settled in 1811, when Isaac
P. Foster, newly arrived from South Hampton, Long Island, built
his home and store here. At this time Montrose, then called
Hinds' Settlement, consisted of one or two other residences, a
tavern, a store or two, and a hotel.
Isaac was Montrose's first tanner and shoe maker, and he built
his tanyard behind the home, where he turned cowhide into
leather at first by order and later for sale in his store. The
cellar of Foster's home also served as one of the town's first
schools and as the town's first jail until one was built in
1813. |
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In 1827,
Foster sold his tannery, home and store, and shortly thereafter
the new owner's son-in-law, S.F. Keeler, closed the business and
converted the home and store into a hotel. Nearly continuously
since then, and by various names (Keeler's Hotel, Exchange
Hotel), one has existed on this site. The location was ideal,
being close to the Milford [New Jersey] and Owego [New York]
Turnpike, one of the few existing roads at the time.
At daybreak on Christmas morning 1923, the Exchange Hotel was
entirely destroyed by fire. The owner, John J. Burke, lived in a
private adjoining residence. As was his routine, he went to the
hotel early to start lighting the fires, the building being
heated entirely by stoves at that time. He found smoke and
flames from a fire that had been left burning to thaw out frozen
pipes. The only occupants were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Theodos, who,
when awakened, threw first their mattresses and then their
bodies out of their second floor window. No one was injured.
Burke began the long process of rebuilding. After a year or so
he had the restaurant back in business, but he died unexpectedly
before the hotel accommodations were finished. On November 14,
1936, the new owners held their grand opening of the "Donlin
Inn," featuring rooms by the day or week and meals
anytime.
Over time, the building has been home to a few different
businesses, including a hair salon, apartments, etc. The current
set-up which includes a full service restaurant, tavern,
overnight hotel rooms, and a banquet facility has been in
operation for over 25 years.
Although the establishment's name and ownership have changed
again since then, it continues to thrive and carries on a more
than 175-year-old tradition of providing food and lodging in the
heart of Montrose, Pennsylvania.
This information was provided by the Susquehanna
County Historical Society. For more history of Montrose and
Susquehanna County, visit their website. |
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