Once acknowledged as a “grand porch hotel on top of the world,” the Historic Summit Inn has evolved from a turn-of-the-century retreat to a notable landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1907, the Summit Inn combines the relaxing, comfortable atmosphere of yesteryear with the services and amenities of today. The breathtaking five-county view from the veranda also leaves a lasting impression with guests, many of whom return again and again to experience the rich history and unique setting.

The history of the Historic Summit Inn really begins in 1806 when Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under President Thomas Jefferson, suggested a national road connecting Baltimore, MD to Wheeling, WV to provide greater travel convenience. Construction of the National Pike began in 1813, and it opened to the public in 1818. It was the first national internal improvement made by the federal government, and it remained so until the Civil War. The National Pike was the principal route for westward travel until being joined by the railroad in 1852.

The road became known for its inns and taverns. On the mountain section of the road, every mile had its tavern. One of those taverns, the Fayette Springs Hotel, was located at the top of the Summit Mountain across the road from the present Summit Inn.

The Summit Inn began as a venture by a group of wealthy businessmen to create a foundation for Fayette County tourism. The hotel was constructed upon a native stone foundation, and the owners acclaimed the hotel as “unequaled anywhere on the National Pike between Washington City and St. Louis.” Initially, wealthy visitors made up the hotel’s clientele. As automobiles became affordable for middle class Americans, average folks began signing the guest register as well.

In 1917, hotel ownership passed to the Heyn family. Owner Leo Heyn was a “colorful character,” and was truly accountable for putting the Summit on the map. He was known for his two dachshunds that he kept in the lobby to greet guests. It was during Heyn’s ownership that the hotel received notable visits from guests such as Warren Harding and Henry Ford. Ten years after its opening, the inn played host to “The Vagabonds,” the self-named group of friends consisting of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and naturalist John Burroughs. In 1918, they were also joined by Firestone’s son Harvey, Jr. and Robert DeLoach of the Armour company on their annual summer trip. Calling themselves the “American Science Wizards” during their stay at the Summit Inn, they tested “motor cars” up and down the mountain and held a contest to see how many stairs in the grand staircase they could jump at once, among other activities and antics. An original hotel register with Ford’s and Edison’s signatures is displayed in the lobby of the Summit Inn. 

As the Summit’s popularity grew with both tourists and locals, so did the inn’s activities and amenities. A nine-hole golf course was built on Mount Summit above the inn during the early 1920’s. In 1923, the father of legendary golf course designer Pete Dye hit the first golf ball at the Summit Golf Club. Inspired by the Summit, he later went back to Ohio to design and build his own golf course. The tradition of attracting renowned golf pros to the Summit Inn continued with Sam Parke, who was the Summit’s golf professional in 1931. He later went on to win the PGA Open in 1935.

In the early 1930’s, the Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Company constructed a steel outdoor swimming pool. The Olympic-size pool was complete with both high and low dives and a slide. Famous swimmers such as Olympic athlete and Tarzan movie star Johnny Weissmuller gave performances at the pool regularly. Heyn also added skiing to the resort’s offerings, although today the Summit closes during the winter months.

Though it seemed that the Summit’s prosperity was just beginning to blossom, the decrease in automobile traffic due to the Great Depression directly resulted in the Heyn family being forced to sell the hotel to Maxwell Able in 1946.

When young, aspiring hotel manager Don Shoemaker set his eyes upon the Inn in 1957, he saw only vestiges of the historic hotel’s former glory. Shoemaker eventually bought the mountain resort to preserve one of the last grand porch hotels in Pennsylvania. 

The Shoemakers and their daughter Karen moved from Bedford, PA to run the Summit. They lived across the road from the inn, but spent most of their waking time at the resort. The family continually invested their profits into capital improvements to effectively compete with other hotels. Major renovations were made to the bathroom and banquet facilities first. Additional guest rooms were added and older rooms were expanded to open up the hotel to larger groups and families. An indoor pool was added in an excavated area under the western section of the front porch. 

The Pennsylvania Travel Council named Don Shoemaker “Distinguished Hotelier of the Year” in 1996. Just a year later, Shoemaker made his last design of the banquet area addition before his death in 1997. 

Shoemaker’s strong love and devotion for the Inn has been carried on through his family, who own and operate the Summit today. 

With more than 100 years of tradition, hard work, dedication, sophistication and hospitality, the Historic Summit Inn remains one of the most beautiful and acclaimed grand porch hotels in Pennsylvania. With rich tradition blending with modern comforts, the hotel is suitable for all occasions and fits the wants and needs of all types of guests.