The historic timeline of Broney’s Hotel, including Beltz Hotel, in the Mahoning Valley.

• 1820: Jacob Fenstermacher builds first tavern on corner of Mahoning Dr. W and Mill Road. This hotel was frequented by Indians who used the path on Mill Road and is known as the oldest hotel in the Mahoning Valley. Note: Jacob was a father to George Fenstermacher who is on many of the old land deeds. He also had a brother Jacob. George or Jacob’s son, Stephen ran a distillery and tavern.

• 1843: Carbon County was formed.

• 1847: Map shows two buildings stood on the site of the Beltz Hotel property (may have been barns) Stone foundations are found near the old swimming pool on the property.

• 1873: School built in New Mahoning near hotel

• 1880: A distillery was then owned by Stephen Fenstermacher at the site of the Fenstermacher Hotel.

• 1898 (January): According to the Mauch Chunk Courier, Thomas Beltz purchased and reopened the old Fenstermacher Hotel.

• 1898 (fall) The start of the vision and plans of a hotel across the corner from the Fenstermacher Hotel on the opposite corner of Mill Road and Mahoning Valley Dr. West was conceived by Thomas Beltz

1898 (December): A liquor license was applied for by Thomas Beltz at Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe.

• 1899 (January): The liquor license was approved.

• Fall 1899: The Beltz Hotel was completed across the corner from the Fenstermacher Hotel. A frequent visitor was Asa Packer’s daughter, Mary Packer who is pictured with her coachman in one of the rare photos of the early hotel. Her sister Lucy lived in Mahoning Valley. A passerby suggested she helped fund the building of the Beltz Hotel. She used to leave $100 bills as her tips. The value of that today would be the equivalent of $3,600. Her sister Lucy Packer married in 1856, Dr. Garrett Broadhead Linderman. Shortly after the marriage she took over the management of the Linderman family farm near Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley.

• 1899-1919: Thomas Beltz ran the hotel for about 20 years.

• 1919: Thomas Beltz leased the hotel to doctors RR Rupp and L Brenckman who renovated the hotel into a hospital during WWI era for wounded soldiers.

• 1927: Thomas Beltz again began to operate the building.

• 1931: Bernard McDermott purchased the building.

• 1934: Albert Kline purchased the building but later that year it was sold to Helen (Sultonis) Broney and was then known as Broney’s Hotel.