History of the Old Hickory

Andrew Jackson

(Editor's Note: The late Rev. Robert B. Merten researched the history of the Old Hickory for the Rigas family in 1990. Here are some excerpts from his findings.)

Having seen a house in Pittsburgh that he admired very much, attorney Franklin W. Knox decided to build one exactly like it in Coudersport.

Construction was completed just a few weeks before the great fire of May 18, 1880. The house was undamaged.

All of the wood used in construction grew in Potter County: maple, cherry, black birch, pine, hemlock, oak, chestnut, butternut, etc.

Knox, a Tioga County native, was a co-owner of the weekly newspaper, the Potter Enterprise, and was instrumental in bringing the railroad and public water system to Coudersport.

In 1903, Thomas J. Lawler bought the house from Knox. In January 1928, Lawler sold his home and properties to H. H. Pett, Willard E. Schutt and Howard N. Schutt.

They named their establishment 'The Old Hickory,' in honor of Andrew Jackson, the celebrated military commander in the Battle of New Orleans who was later elected President.

The new owners used a unique emblem for signs and stationery to promote their business, depicting Jackson riding a donkey. It was drawn by a guest who had no means of paying his bill and designed the emblem in lieu of payment.

H. Hollingsworth and Kay Pett came from New York, joining the Schutts in Coudersport to decorate the Old Hickory with fine furniture and beautiful wallpaper.

Arrival of the Great Depression forced the owners to split for a time. Willard Schutt and his wife, Agnes, stayed in Coudersport and installed the downstairs tavern.

A succession of owners would follow, including John Karr, from 1948 to 1967; Wilber and Hilda Franklin, from 1967 to 1972; Richard and Anna Nicka, 1972-76; Frank and Billie Hendrix, 1976- 78; Ted and Suzi Bear, Kathleen Wilson and David Marshall, 1978- 1987; Olive Richard, for most of 1987, and Dorellenic Corporation starting Dec. 9, 1987.