About The Station Inn
Situated ten miles west of Horseshoe Curve, The Inn is a unique Bed and Breakfast which faces the old PRR main.
Guests are provided food and lodging in a classic mountain resort hotel, built twelve years after J. Edgar Thomson pushed the Pennsylvania Railroad over Allegheny Mountain and on to Pittsburgh. Since 1993, The Station Inn has served as a bed and breakfast inn.
History
Built in 1866, twelve years after completion of Horseshoe Curve, The Callan House was a summer retreat for Pittsburghers who traveled by train to vacation at Cresson.
Over the years, the Callan House became the Commercial Hotel, and in later years it was an apartment building. The basement’s 1904 cherry bar features a tin ceiling and tile floor, and originally served hotel guests. The basement “saloon” operated for many years as Jane’s Pizza.
Tom Davis starts a Bed & Breakfast
The Station Inn, as we know it today, first opened in 1993, the brainchild of New Jersey railfan Tom Davis. Tom had retired from a career of school district administration with various school districts in northern New Jersey, and was considering his next steps.
Tom had the idea to establish a B&B for railfans in a popular rail hot-spot, such as the Altoona area. During his travels, he’d see railfans congregating at various locations and asked himself, “Where do they sleep?”
After a yearlong search for locations across PA and NJ, The Station Inn was born when Tom purchased the apartment building and began converting it to a B&B. Tom renovated and expanded the facilities, including a restoration of basement bar & restaurant as The Yard Office Saloon for several years.
Introducing the Lang Family
New owner Alex Lang first visited The Station Inn in October 1994 as a wide-eyed high school senior, and returned many times since. Alex later helped Tom with IT and website duties for many years, coming to know Tom and the Inn closely. Alex introduced Leah to The Inn in 2008, and she fell in love with it immediately, reminded of an old Inn that was previously run by her grandparents.
The Langs and Tom became friends, with Tom visiting the Langs for Christmases and Thanksgivings, and the Langs celebrating their wedding reception at the Inn in 2010. Over the years, many meals and drinks were shared.
Tom suffered a stroke in 2017 and his health declined, and to a degree the Inn declined with him. Sadly, Tom passed in October of 2021, leaving behind a legacy of friendship, hospitality, and a deep love of the railroad industry.
A New Chapter Begins
Alex & Leah, passionate to see the Station Inn continue as Tom intended, purchased The Station Inn Bed & Breakfast in May, 2022. Alex & Leah have begun some renovations and modernization, while preserving the original mission to bring rail enthusiasts together.
Leah’s aunt Pat Barry is our live-in Innkeeper, welcoming guests and making all feel welcome. In 2023, Aunt Pat introduced Sid to the Station Inn Team. Sid, a perfect name for the “Station Inn Dog”, has been a great addition to the relaxing atmosphere here at the Inn! We hope you’ll come by, relax, and watch some trains!
