The Sterling a building's story of success and hard times

USA | Thursday, 27 June 2013 | Views [425] | View Smaller Image

The owners hired Oppenheim’s String Orchestra to entertain dinner guests in its dining room, known after 1911 as “The Palm Room.” A renowned New York chef assembled delicacies such as high-flavored and well-dressed oysters, mince pie or plum pudding…and wine-cured cheeses (The Times Leader). The elegant five-star hotel was considered one of the best in the northeast United States. Only the richest stayed in the Hotel Sterling.

Tags: urbanexploration, abandoned, abandonedbuilding, thehotelsterling

The Hotel Sterling was established in 1898 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, my home town. It was built during a time of vast wealth and prosperity in Wilkes-Barre. The coal industry was booming, as well as factories and newly built railroads. Hundreds of people traveled each day from New Jersey and New York to Pennsylvania to stay in The Hotel Sterling. Named after investor and businessman Walter G. Sterling, the hotel was seven stories tall with a luxurious lobby. The former grandeur of the building included marble and brass columns and staircases, intricate ceiling detail and linen wall paper. Fine paintings and sculptures throughout the public areas created a sense of big-city sophistication.

< previous

2 of 5

In recent years the inn has suffered a fire, vandalism, a leaky roof and has had its basement flooded to a height of several feet leaving behind inches of mud. In 1998 it finally closed for good. The graffiti on the door reads, “The star in the valley shines brightest in its darkest hour.”

next >

Return to photo gallery >>

The Sterling a building's story of success and hard times

Share