Mar23 |
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Preservationists Worry About Famous Inn Tons Of People Died Trying To Get To
The historic — and by “historic” I mean “old” — Perkiomen Bridge Hotel is up for sale, and since even the seller says it’s probably just best to tear it down and use it for the land, history buffs are worried about the fate of the 300+ year old hotel. The inn, built in 1689, used to be a stop on the Philadelphia-to-Reading carriage line. But the Philly-to-Reading line has fallen into disuse in recent years and SEPTA is even thinking of eliminating it its upcoming budget cuts. And so the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel has been a sports bar, an upscale restaurant and an abandoned hotel in recent years. But why is the hotel historic? Duh, it was the Brownies 23 East of its day!
Ahh, yes, the old great tradition of going to a bar and getting plastered by banging on giant drums. History buffs fear for old hotel’s fate [Inquirer] |
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I worked here for several years while living in Royersford PA. and attending Drexel University in Philadelphia. I would commute on the train that went into the older Reading Terminal. I worked here in 1976 to late 1977 as a busboy, and also helper and dishwasher and other jobs. Some of my memories include the family that owned it at the time… Sam Chiccarine Sr. and his sons Lou and Sam Jr. I apologize if I spelled the names incorrectly, but have fond memories of working here. A chef named Rick and his assistant chef named Winnie worked the kitchen that served lots of people in the larger dining room. The bar was open in the morning to serve the tire factory up the road. Brisk sales of beer were done as the beer stores in PA. are closed on Sundays, so I did a lot of filling up the fridge display in the bar. I remember how kind the owners of the Hotel were to me, and they gave me extra hours of work to help me pay for my college expenses. I also recall going “into the basement” to collect the then returnable beer bottles and put them into the wax boxes for the beer delivery people to pick them up…. one time, I ventured WAY BACK into the very back of the cellar area and found many old Coke and other beer signs from the early part of the 20th century. I was allowed to take them home and sold them for a lot of money in Philadelphia at an antique dealer.
The other story I remember is that kids would catch snapping turtles around the River and bring them to the chef to sell to make snapper soup. One time, Winnie and Rick had me go into a walk in fridge to get some frozen french fries, then said “look in the corner” ! There, was a half frozen, yet still alive turtle, with a mean snout that was trying to bite me, should I venture closer. Of course, in jest, Winnie and Rick closed the door on the freezer, and turned off the light (the switch is on the outside)… well,…. I took my 150 pounds and climbed up as high as I could on the boxes of frozen food! Lots of funny stuff…. and I was initiated into the working at the hotel.
I remember making a lot of money as a busboy on Thanksgiving…. I got about 10% of the tips of the waitress’ and I remember coming home with over $70 !!! The ladies that were waitresses were the old style type that smoked, worked hard, and were very much a pro when it came to taking care of their patrons.
I have other memories, and hope that others share them…. I will return and write some more…..
Sincerely,
George