I had visited this resort in 1988 just before it closed for almost two decades. It was a grand place, but on a steep decline and now it's back and I hope it is a success.
A few things that struck me that did not make the story were the fact that the staff did not know there was a listing about the resort on Wikipedia; it was a first stop for me just to get a little information. Another thing, for a project that used a lot of public money to create jobs in a depressed area, I saw about a dozen Mexicans hard at work on the golf course. What was that about? Lots of pick-up trucks with license plates from Texas and Florida, not Pennsylvania. That said, what a place to stay, it would be worth the trip. This is a recent story from June, 2007.
By ALAN FOSTER
Daily American
There are ghosts in the halls. Not the scary kind, but those channeled spirits you might want to spend some time with while you are there. This is a place that has been around for 200 years and has high hopes for 200 more. That place is the Bedford Springs Resort just south of Bedford, Pa in the mountains of western Pennsylvania. Formerly known as the Bedford Springs Hotel the massive 2,200 acre property has seen a $126 million makeover that was true to the design of the original owners. Its new slogan is “History Reborn.”
George Washington strolled the woods nearby. Aaron Burr and his grandson were among the first guests. Maybe that was him on a rocking chair on the second level porch. Maybe he was thinking he might have found a better way of working things out with Alexander Hamilton. The musty smell of the old hotel has been replaced by the newness of drywall and fresh paint, but the presence of history remains. Was that Andrew Jackson in the dining room? He was there. Imagine bumping into Zachary Taylor or Daniel Webster in the lobby. They were there too. What would you ask Dwight Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan if you saw them on the golf course? They were guests.
It is this presence that makes the resort kin to places such as Monticello to the south and Falling Water to the west. Or Independence Hall in Philadelphia to the east. The knowledge that history was made here. That leaders enjoyed the fresh air and the solitude of the mountains and contemplated what was going to happen in the United States and the world.
While there is hope that future presidents and leaders will visit the resort will be home to large meetings and conferences. “We want to attract senior level executives of Fortune 500 companies for meetings,” Todd Gillespie, resort sales and marketing director said.
In addition to meetings and conferences the restored facility has luxury spas, a wedding grotto, indoor and outdoor pools, world-class dining, tennis, and a redesigned golf course. The golf course is among the oldest in the United States and first opened in 1895. The spa facility alone would be the envy of ancient Rome. Off the dining room etched in the glass are the initials of couples who were married at the springs. The carvings were made by brides with their new rings and it is a tradition the resort will carry on.
Local real estate agent Lacy Fitch said property values are going up and that there is not enough property available for buyers these days. “We have been wanting it to happen. It (the resort) is the best kept secret in Pennsylvania. The golf course is amazing,” Fitch said.
Some amenities not available to nineteenth century visitors, but available today are wireless internet in every room, large flat-panel televisions mounted on the wall, double sinks, and imported water-fall showers.
The facility does not expect to compete with the yodeling, alpine theme park that is Seven Springs, but more with the upscale destinations such as Nemocolin Woodlands which is only about 60 miles away. Rooms will be $279 on weekends and $249 during the week with special rates for large groups.
“As to the impact on tourism, I’m glad it’s there because a lot of people are betting it will go. It’s super. We have already had lots of inquiries about staying there and dining there. I’m delighted they breathed new life into the place,” Dennis Tice, director of the Bedford County Visitor’s Bureau said.
The restoration has been a boom to the Bedford economy creating many new construction jobs, but many jobs went to out-of-state firms. The local economy will benefit initially from the hiring of 160 new workers in 2007 and that number will expand to 250 be the end of 2008.
According to Bedford County Commissioner Steve Howsare the payroll will be a major boost to the region. He also said the restoration will benefit farmers too. “I know the chef has met with area farmers to match his needs with what they can provide, “ Howsare said. He said he expects to see strong growth in the County’s hotel room tax. “Right now we collect $160,000 and after the facility is up and running we expect to collect over $300,000 per year.” He explained the project has been a dream of his, but said his predecessors in the commissioners office have been working on it for more than 20 years. “I’m very happy to see it come to fruition,” Howsare said.
He discussed the tangle of financing the huge project, saying most of the money, about $100 million was from private investors, while another $26 million came from the state moved along by former State Sen. Robert Jubilier. On the federal side Rep. Bill Shuster obtained $8 million for the road built behind the hotel which provided easier access. Howsare stressed the state money was not a grant , but a reimbursement that had to be reviewed and approved after completion.
The resort will open on June 27 and WQED the public television station in Pittsburgh is planning a special on the history of the facility due within the next year. For more information the web address is : BedfordSpringsResort.com.
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