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“It was easier to forge ahead and just push through,” Joey explains. When outdoor dining was permitted, the Railroad House’s beautiful patio was in the process of being renovated. “We took out all of the 4,200 bricks and re-laid them in order to eliminate the issue of wobbling tables,” Joey notes. New concrete walkways that skirt the building and lead to others on the property were added, as well. Bradley Hagens, who works at the Railroad House and once helped to care for the gardens at Doneckers, added his expertise to freshen and redesign the landscaping. Like many restaurants in Marietta, the Railroad House, which dates to 1823, has seen its fair share of uses.
In Historic Marietta, PA
Work was completed last fall, allowing the venue to begin hosting micro-weddings and events such as wine dinners. The carriage house makeover also included the addition of a patio and gardens. When other restaurants reverted to offering take-out service, the Railroad House remained closed so that projects could be completed.
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“The only area that didn’t get a makeover was the main-floor bar and dining rooms,” Joey reports. One such entertainment venue is Susquehanna Stage, which makes its home in a large stone church on West Market Street. The expanded space prompted the creation of an umbrella organization called Marietta Center for the Arts.
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Originally, it did double duty by providing canal workers with lodging and those waiting to catch a train with a “depot.” For a time it was a private residence. Architect John DeVitry purchased it (along with John Westenhoefer) and hand dug the cellar to create space for what would become a 60s-era coffee house and later a disco. A succession of restaurateurs/inn owners operated the Railroad House until 2008, when Eric Farr and Tracy Beam took over the inn.
Menu
What hasn’t changed is the public’s love of dining out. Now, however, consumers expect restaurants to meet their lifestyle preferences. Ingredients provided by local farmers and purveyors help the menu to evolve on a seasonal basis. Transforming the carriage house on the property into an events venue was at the top of co-owners Freddy States and Joey Bowden’s to-do list.
The big news is that movement is starting to take place at the train station that sits across Perry Street from the Railroad House. “We’ve been wanting to do something with that for years,” Joey says. Everyone along Front Street’s “Restaurant Row” is excited by the prospect of having even more visitors “flood” into Marietta. The guest rooms on the upper floors were completely refurbished.
“In March [2020], we looked at the mandated closure as an opportunity to make our move and not sit idle. We took advantage of the downtime and were finally able to get projects off the ground and also get work done on our never-ending ‘to-do’ list. This is an old building – it seems like things constantly need to be fixed.” He estimates that 60 to 65 hours a week were spent working on projects over a nearly six-month period before the Railroad House reopened in the fall of 2020.
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“I know a previous owner used it as a guest house but since it’s located right next to the patio, it’s not very private. “He saw it as a bridal suite, while I saw it as a private dining room.” Joey’s vision won out and the refurbished summer kitchen now functions as a private dining room that has a seating capacity of 15 to 20 guests. “It’s a nice option for events such as showers, anniversary and birthday parties, very small weddings and even small corporate dinners,” Joey points out. Starting almost from scratch (the 60s-era bar somehow survived unscathed), Freddy and Joey (with help from friends and family) created the Perry Street Cellar, whose focus is craft beer and pub fare. Today, the rustic space is also used for monthly beer dinners, Vinyl Wednesday (fans of vinyl albums can bring their collections in to share with others) and, on occasion, private events. Located in the town of Marietta, PA and directly across from the train tracks & the Northwest River Trail, the Railroad House Inn was built in 1823 as an inn for canal workers and visitors to the town.
I bet they hadn’t been updated in 40 years,” Joey says. “They had become a mish-mash of styles.” Now, the guest rooms are light and airy thanks to the modern color schemes that serve to showcase the architectural details in each room. King bed with private bathroom, located on our third floor. Chef Talon Lewis, who is a graduate of Donegal High School and YTI, oversees the menu. “Growing up, I always enjoyed working in the kitchen,” he recalls. After graduating from Donegal, he set his sights on culinary school.
“I like the rush that working in a busy kitchen provides,” he says. He is a proponent of utilizing seasonal and sustainable ingredients and reports that he grows tomatoes, peppers and herbs in a garden behind the restaurant. “I’d like to grow more, but light is an issue back there,” he explains.
As the grant-application process is nearing an end, Joey hopes to see work begin on the project by 2023, which just happens to be the occasion of the Railroad House’s bicentennial. The carriage house, which seats 50 to 60 guests, offers such amenities as a bar, private restrooms, wrought iron chandeliers and an outdoor sitting area. The original summer kitchen now functions as a private dining room that can accommodate 15 to 20 guests. Actually, the pandemic allowed co-owners Freddy States and Joey Bowden to take a break and map out the future of the Railroad House. “Even before the pandemic, the wheels were moving to make some changes we had on the drawing board,” Joey explains.
The Railroad House has always been a popular wedding venue. “We’re unique,” Joey says of the historic buildings and beautiful setting. Another building on the property – the original summer kitchen – has also been given a new lease on life. It’s always presented owners with the dilemma of how to utilize it, so it has largely stood empty.
Modern color schemes bring focus to the architectural features, while décor and accessories make the rooms all the more inviting. As for recreation, the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail meanders along the Susquehanna River from Columbia north to the Falmouth area, bringing trail users through Marietta. Restaurants and other businesses are definitely reaping the rewards that the trail brings to the town.
Co-owners Freddy States and Joey Bowden assumed the operation of the restaurant. Built in 1869, the station has been languishing for years. Plans call for it to be operated by Susquehanna Heritage, the organization that oversees Columbia Crossings and the Zimmerman Center for Heritage near Long Level in York County. The Railroad House is in discussions to operate a casual dining area in the rear of the building. Joey is excited about the design plans architect Wendy Tippetts has shared.
“We want to offer our guests an experience, whether they are having dinner at the restaurant or are having a wedding in the carriage house,” he says. Diversifying extends to offering yoga in the gardens, meditation sessions and wine and beer dinners in the carriage house and trivia contests and get-togethers for vinyl-record enthusiasts in the Perry Street Cellar. The Perry Street Cellar, which always bears the brunt of flooding in Marietta, was given a thorough cleaning and update. With its emphasis on craft beer and pub fare, the space has become a favorite place for casual dining, musical entertainment, fundraising events and wedding-related activities such as engagement and bachelor parties.
Stay in a Restored 1920s Train Carriage in Chattanooga, Tennessee - Travel + Leisure
Stay in a Restored 1920s Train Carriage in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Railroad House Inn features nine recently remodeled rooms with private bath, luxury linens and towels, individual climate control (heat and air conditioning), toiletries, and free wireless internet. Our parking lot is located on Perry Street across from the building. All of our rooms are on the second floor or higher, and are not handicapped accessible. The train lines are active and we do not have access to the train schedule, so please read room descriptions carefullly as some rooms are not for light sleepers. You will hear the train regardless of what room you stay in as the trains have to pull the horn at every trail crossing.
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