The Genetti Hotel, is a historic hotel in downtown in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, built in 1921 as the Lycoming Hotel.
History The Lycoming Hotel was constructed in 1921, in the midst of Williamsport's logging boom. It opened on June 21, 1922."At Hotel Opening." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Evening News, June 22, 1922, p. 13 (subscription required). It quickly became a destination site for convention planners representing business, civic, military, and professional associates across Pennsylvania."The Ex-Service Man's Column." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, August 20, 1022, p. 17 (subscription required)."All Aboard for Wellsboro." Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: The Wellsboro Gazette, December 6, 1922, p. 1 (subscription required)."Legion Convention." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, August 10, 1922, p. 11 (subscription required).
The hotel's architect was New Jersey-born William Lee Stoddart. The hotel's first manager was John F. Letton."Manager Moves Away." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, June 17, 1922, p. 8 (subscription required)."Tioga County Locals." Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: The Wellsboro Gazette, December 13, 1922, p. 3 (subscription required). One of the grand opening ceremonies for the hotel included a formal presentation by a Pittsburgh chapter of The Gideons International, during the afternoon of June 21, 1922, at which time representatives of the organization presented a gift of Bibles to be placed in each hotel room. The Rev. Dr. C. Everest Granger delivered a formal address during that program."Gideons Present Bibles." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, June 20, 1922, p. 9 (subscription required).
A hotel amenity in 1922 and 1923 was a soda and candy fountain that was managed by Christian Kirias."Social." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, November 1, 1922, p. 18 (subscription required).
On September 30, 1922, Republican gubernatorial candidate Gifford Pinchot, delivered an address to the Women's Christian Temperance Union at its annual convention that was held at the Lycoming Hotel, which adhered strictly to the federal Prohibition laws that outlawed the sale of alcohol."Women Give Warning on Wet Propaganda." Franklin, Pennsylvania: The News-Herald, October 14, 1922, p. 8 (subscription required). During that speech, Pinchot expressed his support for prohibition as he advocated for the repeal of the Brook's license law to "put the law in Pennsylvania squarely in accord with the Volstead Act and the Eighteenth Amendment."Grundish, William I. "Brooks Law's Repeal Urged by Pinchot at W.C.T.U. Meet." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Gazette Times, October 1, 1922, front page (subscription required).
In 1975, local hotelier Gus Genetti purchased the Lycoming Hotel and renamed it the Genetti Hotel, renovating it at a cost of $250,000, including improvements to the lobby, kitchen, restaurant, and ballroom."Genetti purchases Lycoming Hotel." Berwick, Pennsylvania: Berwick Enterprise, June 2, 1985, p. 15 (subscription required).
Construction
Designed by architect William Lee Stoddart, the Lycoming Hotel (now known as the Genetti Hotel) took a little over a year to build, with construction starting in 1921 and the project being completed in 1922. It is the second tallest building in Williamsport as the Trinity Episcopal Church stands 210 feet tall.
The hotel has been through many renovations, such as a new modern ballroom, new elevators, and a restoration of the hotel's exterior.
See also Georgian Terrace Hotel Ellis Hotel Penn Tower
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