The Sugar Grove Hotel

17 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

The area's first resident, Robert Miles, built the original Sugar Grove Hotel in 1818 in order to capitalize on the area's travelers through Sugar Grove.  At the time, Sugar Grove was one of the few communities located in the area.  In 1912 the original hotel burned and a new one was constructed.  The second hotel was later razed to make way for the building which today houses PNC Bank.

The Masonic Block

100 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

Built in 1876, the Masonic Block was the tallest set of stores in the community, consisting of three usable floors plus an attic.  The building housed grocers, the post office, the justice of the peace, and a barber shop.  The upper floors housed numerous dance and lecture halls and the meeting hall of the Masons called MacDonald Hall.  Although its original design called for it to be built of brick, it was instead built of wood which eventually led to its demise when it was dismantled over time and eventually completely razed. 

Harmon Block

105 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

Built by the most prolific builder of commercial buildings in Sugar Grove, Hosea Harmon, this portion of Main Street was his final creation.  The Harmon Block contained the largest dry goods store, MacDonald Brothers, as well as the dentist's office, the hall of the Order of the Odd Fellows, and Earl Abbott's grocery.  Having housed bakers, carriage makers, and grocers, the building eventually became the home of its longest tenant, Wilcox Brothers Hardware which continues to operate in the building.

The Exchange House

19 Forest St., Sugar Grove, PA

Lemuel Pierce constructed the original Exchange House which operated as a tavern in its early years where the stagecoach horses were exchanged for new ones.  After the construction of the Old Brick next door, the two buildings were connected for a time by a small shed in between them.  The Exchange operated as a tavern, a grocery store, and at one time the post office.  Since the early 1900's, the building has been a private residence.

The Old Brick

2 Forest St., Sugar Grove, PA

Built in 1846 by AD Jackson of brick manufactured in Sugar Grove, the building is the oldest brick structure in the community.  Over the years it has housed a variety of businesses including the community's first tailor and the one-time office of the Sugar Grove-to-Youngsville railroad.  It was the original home of the Sugar Grove Free Library and at one time housed the volunteer fire department.  The second floor of the building was a printers shop where the majority of Sugar Grove newspapers of the 1800's were printed including The Independent, the community's first newspaper. Currently the building houses the Sugar Grove Medical Center, the Bauer Law Firm, and Williams' Architectural Design.

Keystone Block

14 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

Built in 1873, this block has housed "Herky's" Town & Country grocery for decades.  Originally it was built to house the Sugar Grove Savings Bank as well as numerous grocers over the years as well as AD Frank's Billiard Hall which was located on the second floor so that women wouldn't be offended if they happened to look inside.

Granite Block

10 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

An usual name for a group of stores that were originally built of wood, the Granite Block was anchored by Dr. CJ Phillip's Drug Store.  Phillip's store is where Dr. Crumbie apprenticed to become a physician.  Crumbie's autobiography became the inspiration for the television series GunSmoke.  The dining room of The Bucket Cafe is where Phillip's store originally stood.

Arnold Block

6 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

The section of the business district to be constructed, it was the last section of buildings on the Northeast of Main Street.  One of the buildings which still stands was for a long period of time both a furniture store and funeral parlor, the two being linked in the community for several generations including under the management, at one time or another, of the Harrington family, the VanDeusen family, and the Schoonover family.

Rusty's Stagecoach

At one time as many as 5 stagecoach routes crossed in Sugar Grove.  Stops were at both the Sugar Grove Hotel, also called the Willson Hotel, and at the Exchange House, a combination Post Office, Grocery and Tavern.  The Exchange House actually got its name because it was where the stagecoach could exchange their horses or oxen for fresh ones.

Youngsville-to-Sugar Grove Railroad

"The Dinky"

2 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA

The Youngsville-to-Sugar Grove railroad operated for less than twenty years.  The purpose was a connecting line between Sugar Grove and the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad as well as the Pennsylvania Railroad which had an existing stations in Youngsville.  The ticket office was at the Old Brick and the track stopped in front 20 Forest Street.  It operated from 1903 to 1920.