Finally got a good picture of the Whitacre House thanks to Wellsville Historical Society President "Brassy" Berresford. This is a Grace Burford sketch that appears in Edgar Davidson's book. The picture in the book is too small to reproduce. The museum has the original sketch.
The Whitacre House was located where the old Potters Bank & Trust now sits at 4th & Main. No less than three U.S. Presidents stopped and spoke there, the most notable being Abraham Lincoln while en route from Illinois to Washington for his first inauguration in 1861. Confederate raider General John Hunt Morgan and his men that were captured out near Lisbon was housed there after they were taken into custody in 1863. Some time between 1895 and 1900 it was completely destroyed by fire. It was after that the land was sold to a banking interest.
The Whitacre House was a hotel. It faced the river and the railroad tracks which were both very important to the ville's beginnings.
ole nib
3 comments:
What other Presidents traveled through Wellsville?? Out of curiosity, did they take the same railroad track route that is in place today?? Just wondering.
According to the reproduction of The Wellsville Patriot it said "At other times, presidents-to-be, James A. Garfield and Andrew Johnson spoke from the front of the Whitacre House."
I believe the track is in the same location as it is today. At that time Riverside was called Water Street.
nib
Very interesting nib, thanks.
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