A Brief History of the Lightstreet Hotel

A Brief History of the Lightstreet Hotel

                                                                                                   

Back Side of Lightstreet Hotel

       The Lightstreet Hotel which is located in Lightstreet,Pa has been a staple of success for many  years in Bloomsburg. It is open 6 days of the week from 3pm-9pm and 11am-8pm on sundays. It has been around for a 163 years and it has kept its original foundation ever since. It's so old that it has been there since before the Civil War!At first it started out as just a hotel but over the years it got converted to both a restaurant and bar like it is today. With it's long history there comes the tales of many ghost stories about the hotel. There is an urban legend that goes around that has been passed down from generations that there is a  ghost called Gus who was formally a railroad worker, past owners have put his spirit in room 8 which is right above the bar, one employee has claimed to hear footsteps at the end of a shift at night and also saw the lights flickering. The Lightstreet Hotel has stood the test of time. The three most recognized historical parts of the Lightstreet Hotel are the bar,jukebox and patio, they are the most integral parts of the Lightstreet Hotel.  Amanda Dunne who is the current owner of the Hotel had purchased the Hotel in "December of 2007". "After finishing my masters degree, the old owner was getting ready to sell the place and I decided that since I already worked 8 years there that I would purchase it. There was just a certain charm of the place that I loved".  

Front Side of Lightstreet Hotel

         As you walk in through the  front dining entrance as seen in figure 2 above you will see that as you walk in a doorway that is located immediately to your right along with the bar. Right as you walk up to the bar a strong scent of alcohol immediately hits you in the face and the clinking of glasses along with the swooshing sound of the beer as the bartender is pouring it to the customer.There are barstools for customers to sit on in front of the bar. Along with  a smooth brown countertop for you to set your drinks or food on to enjoy and eat. Along the back wall of the bar you will see a big flat screen TV that play's ESPN for all the sports fans that like to come in and enjoy watching football.   Along with the bar and its past in the Lightstreet Hotel, Amanda replied with what her favorite memory was. "We've had so many wonderful and memorable events held at the bar... one that sticks with me is the Guest Bartending event we held for a 5 year old girl named Audrianna who passed a couple months later after; I feel her spirit flutters around us and I think about her everyday."The bar is an integral part of the Lightstreet Hotel because of cherised moments like these.

   
    The Hotel has many interesting historical features such as the bar and also the jukebox.  There is a Touch Tune Jukebox in the corner of the restaurant that is adjacent to the bar. It creates a sense of relaxation and enjoyment to the customers needs. It is brightly lit up that is about 2ft high off the ground. It varies from the basic colors of everyday life. The jukebox that is currently there is a replacement of the old one being 26 years of age. As Amanda states, " The old jukebox was not Wi-fi compatible like the current one is, you had to put coins in that rotated CDs; the newer jukebox now is compatible with Wi-fi via your cellphone and can play whatever you desire, one of the more ferequented songs customers play are classic rock and country."

Front View of Touch Tune Jukebox

       Another historical piece of the Hotel that the hotel has to offer is the patio. Walking through the restuarant you come to a set of french doors that leads you to the patio. Walking out around dusk the twinkling ferrylights mixed with the smell of the hydrangeas and fresh food right out of the oven creates a sense of comfort and relaxation to the customer.  As I stand on the patio Amanda states "This is our generation of the hotel, it was a wasted space of dirt and grass...it was time to make  a move and build it; we host many wedding proposals,fundraisers ,birthdays, we are very proud of the space that we created."

View of Patio from Porch deck.

     As you can see the Hotel is filled with relics of both the past and present. The Lightstreet Hotel being opened for 163 years has affected many people including my own. Over the years working there myself and seeing the crowds coming in and out every night I have seen it evolve greatly. The history of the bar, patio and jukebox have all affected the community. In particular throughout history the bar,patio and jukebox have all brought  highly spirited customers in who just bring in a great atmosphere and make the workers night wonderful. It will continue to be a staple of success throughout the future in Bloomsburg.