Sometimes traveling near home can introduce you to things you never knew were there. I’m from Erie, Pennsylvania and stopped in my home town to visit with my parents for a few days before heading home to Europe. We were going to head to Niagara Falls but high winds and snow (in May!) foiled our plans for a helicopter ride over the falls and biking through the vineyards at Niagara on the Lake. Instead, we found ourselves exploring the Smethport Mansion District.
Smethport Old Jail
Smethport is a historic town in Pennsylvania. Named in honor of and financed by a Dutch banking family, the De Smeths, Smethport was founded in 1807. The town actually has a number of things it is known for, like the Old Jail being the sixth most haunted place in Pennsylvania. As the lore goes, the Old Jail is haunted by Ralph Crossmire, who was convicted of murdering his mother and then hanged there for his crimes in 1893. Old Ralph had threatened to haunt the jail if he was hung and inmates soon began begging to be moved to other facilities out of fear of Ralph’s ghost.
Aside from being home to Pennsylvania’s sixth most haunted place, Smethport can claim the invention of the first magnetic toys in the United States. Wooly Willy was invented in 1908 and is still in production today. America’s first Christmas Store and year round yuletide shop also opened there in 1935, though sadly it closed in 2005.
The most notable attraction of the historic town is the Smethport Mansion District. Located along both sides of West Main Street, the architecture of these Victorian mansions is a reflection of the wealth that built Smethport. Some of the mansions are now lovely bed and breakfasts; others are in a state of disrepair. Plans are being formulated by the Route 6 Heritage Community to develop the Smethport Mansion District into a formal historic section of the town. But no matter, the mansions are each beautiful and impressive. A few were even instrumental in shaping Smethport.
Henry Hamlin Mansion
The Henry Hamlin Mansion saw the birth of the Smethport Mansion District. It was with the completion of this 1860 Victorian Italianate mansion that the door to development swung open in the 1880s. Architects, stonemasons, contractors, and builders flocked to Smethport to design and create mansions.
The owner, Henry Hamlin, commenced banking in Smethport in 1863 with what became the Hamilton Bank and Trust Company. By 1892, Hamlin was reported to be the wealthiest private banker in the United States.
Delano R. Hamlin Mansion
Henry Hamlin’s nephew, Delano R. Hamlin, built his own Victorian Queen Anne mansion right next door to his uncle in 1881.
Orlo J. Hamlin Mansion
Henry Hamlin also built a mansion as a wedding gift for his only son, Orlo and his new bride Mirabel Folger. Orlo eventually took over the bank his father started, Hamlin Bank and Trust Company.
Judge Joseph Bouton Mansion
The Judge Joseph Bouton Mansion, a Victorian Queen Anne built in 1905, stands on the former location of the Astor House Hotel, which was destroyed in a fire in 1868. The mansion, though, I imagine is as grand today as it was when the all-American McKean County President Judge occupied it. An American flag billowed in the breeze and white Adirondacks rocked on the whitewashed wrap around porch.
It was lovely to stroll down the historic tree-lined street, even on a cold and cloudy day. I would have loved to peek inside some of these beautiful mansions, but tours of them are only available during special festivals in Smethport.
Kay says
I love old mansions! We have quite a few here in AtIanta too. Interesting stories behind them.
I wish someone could build a mansion as a gift for me 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
No kidding! I apparently forgot to a mansion to my wedding registry. 😉
Sofie @ Wonderful Wanderings says
Such beautiful houses! I love the ones with the big porches and can already picture myself sitting there on a warm summer night:)
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely, Sophie! Glass of wine in hand, rocking with the breeze, and lightning bugs lightning up the night sky.
Larry says
Beautiful photos of these old homes. Would be cool to actually own one.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks for taking me to see them! They have some pretty neat history. Would have loved to see the haunted jail!
Bob says
The Orlo J. Hamlin mansion is for sale if interested,
Katherine Belarmino - Travel the World says
I love touring old homes when traveling. I am putting these on my list.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I only wish I had been able to get a peek inside some of these! Don’t they look incredible? I’ll have to go back when they are open to tour sometime.
Marissa says
I love the idea of exploring your backyard. You don’t have to travel far to have a fantastic travel experience. These mansions are gorgeous!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Now, you sure don’t Marissa! There is so much to explore in your own backyard no matter where you live.
Andrea says
I absolutely adore historic homes like these…would love to peek inside all of them!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Me too, Andrea! There was a woman coming out of one and I was so tempted to ask her for a quick tour inside.
Mandy says
What lovely grand old mansions! I like the Delano R. Hamlin Mansion best but I’d love to spend a night in the haunted old jail.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I really wish the jail hadn’t been closed when I visited. I did peek inside the windows and it looks to be very interesting! I’m not sure I could be convinced to spend the night, just in case ol’ Ralph decided to pay a visit.
Ali says
Those houses are really pretty! Always nice to find some good history near home.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely! I am sure there is a lot I would appreciate about my home town and its surroundings now that I’m an adult. It just all seemed so boring when I was a kid.
Turtle says
I misread your hometown as Eerie and thought that of course it must be haunted!! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Haha!! Erie and not Eerie, yes. Though there are parts of Erie that the Underground Railroad ran through and of course plenty of stories about Erie’s historic buildings being haunted.
Andrew Kane says
Jennifer, a correction that should be made…the bank is Hamlin Bank & Trust Company not Hamilton. It is named after Henry, my great grandfather. Thanks.
michae says
I was given the rare oportunity today to see the mansions in these photos that u have on here. I was walking by admiring them and got into a conversation with the man who now owns the Henry Hamlin mansion. He was such a great guy and invited me into the mansion, it was truly,,,,words cant describe. Then after showing me everything and chatting for an hour we went outside, the lady who owns the mansion next door said hi, one thing led to another and there i was being welcomed into her home. This mansion was just as incredible as the other one. Finally after that the lady who now owns The Mansion Inn bed and breakfast showed me all around her home , it was beautiful….thank u Holly… These homes are everything u would think they would be…i was blown away…