While the new Lykens Hotel was under construction and set to have its opening in early April 1926, the Lykens Standard published an article (November 27, 1925), which described the value of having a modern hotel in the valley, which would enhance the reputation of Lykens and bring about an increase of commerce and tourism. The article also described some the features of the new hotel, including 40 modern guest rooms about half of which would have private baths.
“THE LYKENS” WILL BE GATEWAY TO ANTHRACITE FIELD
Lykens at last will soon realize the dream of years and dire need for a modern and distinctive hotel, one thta will be known for its service, comfort and architecture; a hotel that will be one of the show places in Lykens and Williams Valley.
The need for such a hotel has not been so apparent to some of us living here as it has been to those who come here to visit our industries, our wholesale and retail establisments, to say nothing of the tourists who come thru this vicinity, the people who sue the hotel. Visitors have spread broadcast the story of our inadequate hotel accommodations with distinctive features.
Now Go Elsewhere
Those who would formerly run to Lykens and vicinity to spend a week end or probably a longer period now go elsewhere because of inadequate distinctive hotel service. With this condition existing a number of public spirited citizens formed themselves into a Hotel Committee with the purpose of securing for this community a hotel that would do credit to its name and meet all of our hotel needs.
Stock Sales Over Top
At the instigation of this Hotel Committee and organization of Committee for the Community Hotel Corporation of Lykens was formed and it secured permission from the proper authorities to go ahead with the placement of this stock in this great community enterprise. A body of about 85 of our leading citizens organized for the purpose of familiarizing the community with the project and after a successful campaign the $150,000 drive went “over the top” with a surplus of more than a thousand dollars.
Gateway to Anthracite Field
Yearly thousands and thousands of people travel over the highways and because of inadequate service in Lykens, tourists have been avoiding Lykens. There is but one anthracite field in the world and Lykens is the gaateway to that anthracite field. There are many people to whom the mining industry is a very interesting feature and we will now be able to hold these people for several days, so that they may at their leisure look over the attractive and interesting things to be found in Lykens, Wiconisco, Williamstown, Tower City and all of this surrounding territory.
Construction is Rapid
With the stock sale for this community enterprise going “over the top” plans were laid and material secured for advancement of the new hotel. Today finds the basement floor plans with the foundation about complete; the brick wall of the first floor progressing rqpidly with but three additional floors to be added. Work is advancing at a rapid pace and the Hotel Committee are planning for the opening of Lykens‘ Community Fireproof Hotel, the gateway to Williams Valley, for April1st, 1926.
Distinctive Features
In the new hotel no single detail will be omitted which has been found necessary to make a hotel so distinctive in design and equipment that it will always bring back for the second time, the guest who has once stayed here, and at the same time meet all the hotel needs of the vicinity.
It is planned to have approximately 40 guest rooms, which will all have either street frontage or frontage of a large open court. Approximately 50 per cent of the rooms will be equipped with either tub or shower baths. There will be a store room and banking quarters available for rental on the the ground floor, as well as a modern coffee shop, with a pool room, barber shop and grill room on the basement floor.
Two Conventions Coming
To this time there are two organizations which will likely make their headquarters at the Lykens new Hotel. The Pennsylvania Womens Relief Corps has accepted the invitation of the local organization for the annual sessions to be held in Lykens, and Wiconisco Fire Engine Company, of Wiconisco will be host to the County Firemen’s Association for the forepart of next June. Hotel accommodations is not availale in Wiconisco, our sister town, and likely the new hotel will be made the headquarters for the visiting firemen.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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Who owned the Lykens Hotel?