Vacant White Mills Hotel burns down after conditional use granted for worker housing
The White Mills Hotel has burned to the ground as plans were proceeding to rehabilitate the vacant structure.
As of late Wednesday morning, the cause was still being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit.
Lake Region Development, Inc., led by Justin Genzlinger, CEO of Settlers Hospitality, had intended to turn the building into apartments for Settlers Hospitality employees.
Plans were presented at a conditional use hearing before the Texas Township supervisors on March 19. The conditional use request was granted on Monday evening. By Wednesday morning, only charred remains, the foundation and chimney bricks were left, strewn on the ground.
The hotel was located on Main Street (Route 6) at the corner with Elizabeth Street, across from the Dorflinger Factory Museum in White Mills.
"Last night’s fire at the White Mills Hotel is a loss for the entire community," Genzlinger said in a prepared statement. "Thankfully, as far as we know, everyone is safe, and no one was harmed. We’re grateful to the local firefighters who worked so diligently to extinguish the flames and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. Historic preservation is a core value of Settlers Hospitality, so we’re very disheartened by the loss of a building with such a rich history and a landmark in White Mills. It’s especially hard since we received approval for the restoration just days ago. It’s a setback, but only a setback. We’re committed to creating employee housing and providing places for people to live amid the housing crisis."
"It's a shame. I think they could have done a lot of nice things with the building," Texas Township Supervisor Chairperson Daniel Weidner said, adding "I hope they find out what caused it."
White Mills Volunteer Fire Department is a few doors down the street. A post on its Facebook page reads: "Around 3 a.m. the White Mills fire department was dispatched to a structure fire in the area of Elizabeth Street and RT6. Our engine arrived on scene to confirm the structure to be fully involved. Good work done by all companies and thank you all for the help."
Fire companies assisting White Mills included: Beach Lake Fire Company, Hawley Fire Department, Honesdale Fire Department, Welcome Lake Fire Department, Prompton Fire & Rescue Unit, Seelyville Fire Company and Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department.
Trooper Jason Mills, PSP Troop R Fire Marshal Unit, stated that the fire was reported at 2:55 a.m. at the hotel, located at 672 Texas Palmyra Highway. It was "entirely consumed" and "vacant at the time of the fire," his public information release reads. "The cause and origin could not be determined [due] to the amount of damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation."
The hotel dates to 1901 when hotelier Thomas Gill enlarged a restaurant. For some years, the village landmark had been left vacant.
Genzlinger stated at the conditional use hearing that they were planning renovations costing "in the six figures" to bring back the structure, which was described by his attorney, Thomas Farley, as "deteriorating."
Genzlinger was planning to provide boarding rooms accommodating up to 16 people. He stated the tenants would be required by the lease to be legal to work in this country and would need to be gainfully employed. The purpose of the project was to provide affordable lodging for Settlers Hospitality workers but would be available to any working residents if there was a vacancy, he said.
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: White Mills Hotel burns to the ground; cause still under investigation
