Scranton Pennsylvania – HOTEL JERMYN – Historic Building
Image by Bill Badzo
Wealthy coal operator John Jermyn built the Hotel Jermyn from 1894-1896. The hotel opened in 1896 with over 10,000 people viewing the interior of the building. It was built on the same location as the old Forest House, which was built in 1855. John Jermyn purchased the Forest House and had it razed for his new hotel. The hotel is a seven-story structure designed by John A. Duckworth, with 200 rooms made of stone and steel with metal doors for fireproof construction. Owned for many years by the Jermyn Estate, it was first managed by Fred Godfrey until 1910, followed by L. L. Shoemaker until 1917. The Hotel featured a well-known restaurant and nightclub, the Omar Room and the Manhattan Bar. Numerous celebrities were guests, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The hotel was later renamed the Jermyn Motor Inn, and is now called the Jermyn Apartments and features 85 apartments.369