‘INN’ PLACE: The Christmas Inn in Smethport is featured in the
winter 2006 edition of Arrington’s Inn Traveler in a piece, “A
Timeless Journey Through History” written by Les Jordan Jr.

The article, which we hope to tell you about today and tomorrow,
is a flattering portrait of the inn and a fascinating look at
Smethport’s early history.

We quote: “Bill and Phyllis Simms purchased Smethport’s historic
Christmas Inn nearly two years ago. Their personality and integrity
match the Victorian charm and elegance of the stately mansion, once
owned by one of Pennsylvania’s wealthiest private bankers.”

“The inn was originally the private home of Orlo J. Hamlin. The
Hamlins were the prestigious founders of Smethport’s Hamlin Bank
and Trust Company and were early pioneers of the town, the county
seat of McKean County. The home remained in the Hamlin family until
1991, when it was converted to the Christmas Inn. The original
decor and ornamentation all remained just as was built in 1900.

“The inn displays a unique architecture in Smethport’s historic
Victorian mansion district. The Greek columned porch bears a
reflection of America’s Federalist era and of grand Southern
plantations built before the Civil War.

“The interior of the house is just as elegant as the outside.
Fine artisans crafted hand-carved woodwork, decor and window
casings and supremely decorated fireplaces complete with cast-iron
decorative inserts. …

“The fireplace is made out of 1/4 sawn red and white oak and
includes a ceramic insert of a tavern scene signed and painted by
G.R. French in 1902.

“When the Simms acquired the inn, they found a Hamlin family
genealogy in the basement wine cellar. Surprisingly, the Hamlins
trace their lineage back to William the Conqueror in 1099, and
later to King Henry VIII.

“A guest who worked in the public relations department for the
city of Philadelphia explained that the pride of that lineage is
reflected in the main hallway fireplace, where a hand-carved ‘H’ is
surrounded by intricately carved patterns and griffins that guard
the family fortune.

“A lion’s head at one end of the fireplace contains a wooden
ring through the lion’s mouth. The ring moves freely up and down,
and it contains no seam to indicate that it was installed
separately after the lion’s head was carved. The cast-iron
fireplace insert holds a design that illustrates the North wind
blowing down on a Viking ship.”