Washington
The George Washington Hotel
Hundreds of residents raised over $1 million in 1922 for this William Lee Stoddart hotel on the National Road; it opened on Washington's birthday.
- Built
- 1922–23HHA: 'Built in 1922 by renowned architect William Lee Stoddart'; its history page says construction concluded about a year after the 1922 fundraising campaign.
- Style
- Beaux-Arts
- Architect
- William Lee Stoddart
- Type
- Grand hotel
- Credentials
- Historic Hotels of America member; Inside a National Register historic district
The story
With National Road traffic overwhelming Washington’s small boarding houses, the Chamber of Commerce raised more than $1 million from hundreds of residents in 1922 to build an upscale hotel designed by William Lee Stoddart. It opened on February 22, Washington’s birthday, and hosted guests including Lou Gehrig, Bob Hope and Henry Ford. After decades of decline it served as a Washington & Jefferson College dormitory and then an assisted-living facility, and preservationist Kyrk Pyros bought it in 2003 and spent four years restoring it.
The ghost story
Historic Hotels of America's Most Haunted lists (2024–2026) say ghost hunters, including the TV show Ghost Hunters, report activity on the fourth, eighth and tenth floors, and guests describe the lobby piano playing itself, portraits of George and Martha Washington whose eyes follow them, and figures drinking in Bradford's Lounge.
Source: www.historichotels.org
Good to know
- Address: 60 S Main St, Washington, PA 15301
Sources (4)
- https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/the-george-washington-hotel
- https://share.phmc.pa.gov/pashare/resources/view/5744366
- https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/the-george-washington-hotel/history
- https://www.historichotels.org/us/press-room/top-25-lists/the-2025-top-25-historic-hotels-of-america-most-haunted-hotels-list-is-announced
Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.