The Old Hickory

[Wendylou]

The picture reflects how I "feel" when I look at this house.
It is amazing, simple and depressing.
F.W. Knox, President of the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad, began
construction of this magnificent Italian Villa style home in 1875. It is said that
Knox used materials from Potter County alone. The mansion was later
converted into a bar called The old Hickory. It is rumored that famous
prohibition agent and author of The Untouchables, Elliot Ness, drank there
in his later years. At some point I heard it was bought by the Rigas Family/
Adelphia Cable who later went bankrupt and at present time I am not sure
who owns it. It has been cause for many rumors that say it is haunted by a
man who can sometimes be seen from the second story. The only thing I am
sure of is that it is still beautiful after all these years though it appears the earth is
reclaiming its territory.

A few of my favorite places

 

[Mully]

I like the overall darkness as it lends itself to the haunting feeling of the building....very neat old house.

 

[Wendylou]

Thank you...I checked out your site. I love your photos!

 

[Rick58]

Wow...what a shame to let such a beautiful home go into disrepair

 

[Wendylou]

The windows in the highest part are broke, it is so sad to think snow and rain, weather and such is getting in Its an important part of our local history going to waste.

 

[tirediron]

Wonderful! Any chance of getting inside to document the interior?

 

[sm4him]

Wow, what an incredibly interesting old house! And I'm with tired iron--I wonder if there is any chance of getting inside? Because that thing isn't going to be around for the long term and it would be a shame not to at least have pictures.

We have a Historic Preservation organization here that tries to get historic, but badly deteriorating, buildings enough publicity that someone will come along and save them. I am not always in agreement with how desperately they seem to try to save EVERYthing old, but a great old building like that...it'd sure be nice to see someone buy it and restore it.