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| The Nittany Inn in 2019 Author's Image |
The land for the future Nittany Inn was deeded to John Geary in May 1826. Construction of the inn commenced soon after. Geary sold the building in 1830 and relocated to Hublersburg to operate the inn there (the current Hublersburg Inn). Around 1848, John Orr purchased the Nittany Inn after presiding over the Hublersburg Inn for some time. Orr ran the establishment for about a decade before selling it. Thus the histories of both the Nittany Inn and the Hublersburg Inn are intertwined through these two common owners.
One of the more fascinating backstories concerning an owner of the inn involves Henry Robb, who took over the business after he returned from serving in the Civil War. He had served not once, but twice during the conflict. His first term of service lasted from June 1861 to June 1864 while in the ranks of the 34th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Henry did not hang up his marching boots for long after leaving the army. Only a few months passed before he once again was headed back to war, this time as a "substitute." The Conscription Act allowed draftees to pay a substitute to take their place in the ranks. Joseph Long, a local wealthy landowner, paid Henry to take his place.
Henry entered service with the 51st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in October 1864. Wounded in the leg while in Virginia, he was spared amputation in a battlefield hospital (which may have saved his life). Henry was mustered out of service in July of 1865, having witnessed the war from beginning to end. The money he received from serving enabled him to purchase the Nittany Inn upon his return.
In the years after the war, the condition of his leg must have worsened, for in May of 1878, Henry had his leg amputated by Dr. Joseph Huston of Nittany. This did not discourage Henry, as he continued to run the inn until his death in 1894.
As time marched on, the inn was sold, deeded, or rented to a long list of individuals. It continued to be a very popular watering hole until its closure in 2016.
Like many historic buildings, the Nittany Inn has gone through numerous additions and renovations over the years. Originally, the inn was a simple two story frame structure. By 1839, the inn was comprised of the main building, a kitchen, carriage house, and two stables. Though updated and modified in the present day, it is not difficult to imagine the original building through the modern additions.
The building is currently undergoing extensive work as of this post. The work has exposed the building’s “bones,” giving a glimpse at the architecture that has enabled it to stand for so long.
Henry did not hang up his marching boots for long after leaving the army. Only a few months passed before he once again was headed back to war, this time as a "substitute." The Conscription Act allowed draftees to pay a substitute to take their place in the ranks. Joseph Long, a local wealthy landowner, paid Henry to take his place.
Henry entered service with the 51st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in October 1864. Wounded in the leg while in Virginia, he was spared amputation in a battlefield hospital (which may have saved his life). Henry was mustered out of service in July of 1865, having witnessed the war from beginning to end. The money he received from serving enabled him to purchase the Nittany Inn upon his return.
In the years after the war, the condition of his leg must have worsened, for in May of 1878, Henry had his leg amputated by Dr. Joseph Huston of Nittany. This did not discourage Henry, as he continued to run the inn until his death in 1894.
As time marched on, the inn was sold, deeded, or rented to a long list of individuals. It continued to be a very popular watering hole until its closure in 2016.
Like many historic buildings, the Nittany Inn has gone through numerous additions and renovations over the years. Originally, the inn was a simple two story frame structure. By 1839, the inn was comprised of the main building, a kitchen, carriage house, and two stables. Though updated and modified in the present day, it is not difficult to imagine the original building through the modern additions.
The building is currently undergoing extensive work as of this post. The work has exposed the building’s “bones,” giving a glimpse at the architecture that has enabled it to stand for so long.
EDIT:
As of 2022, the building no longer stands. From talking to the current owner, it appears the building had been neglected for far too long and could not be saved, although they tried to the best of their ability to do so.
Information Retrieved From:
Walker Township Historical Committee (2000). History of Walker Township, 1810-1999.Published by the Walker Township Committee
Information Retrieved From:
Walker Township Historical Committee (2000). History of Walker Township, 1810-1999.Published by the Walker Township Committee
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