Hygrade Inn: The Makings of a Memorable Stay in the PA Wilds

Cameron County | Dark Skies Landscape

The Hygrade Inn is nestled in Cameron County, located on the edge of the Dark Skies and Elk Country Landscapes of the PA Wilds. Built in 1880, the home that houses the Hygrade Inn has been a fixture on the tree-lined Main Street of Emporium for well over a century. 

This boutique bed and breakfast was once the family home of Bernard Erskine. Erskine was an engineer and the founder of the Sylvania Corporation (originally known as Hygrade Syvania), the manufacturer of incandescent lamps and radio tubes.

The Erskine family resided in this home from its completion in 1880 up until the 1970s. In the years that followed, the Hygrade Inn passed through multiple owners without any major renovations. That is until its current owners purchased the home in 2018. Extensive renovations transformed this former family home into the luxurious boutique inn that it is today.  In addition to replacing all of the electric and plumbing, the owners added the large mahogany front porch, which truly transformed the look of the building.

The Hygrade Inn features four high-end rooms, each bearing the name of a township within Cameron County. Each room is situated on the second floor and includes a private en-suite bathroom. On the first floor, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the hotel’s comfortable living room, a cozy sitting room, the library, and the expansive front porch. 

Guests are served a full breakfast each morning and are invited to enjoy dinner options in the Portage Room. Dining in the Portage Room isn’t just reserved for guests of the inn, however, as the public is welcome to reserve seating for dining on specific evenings as well. The Hygrade Inn also cultivates community involvement through the hosting of their Supper Club. 

The Hygrade Inn offers guests the chance to experience the character and charm of this historic building while also enjoying luxury accommodations. The knowledgeable innkeepers love to assist guests with navigating the nearby PA Wilds, helping to create a truly unique experience while visiting the PA Wilds region. 

Located just a block or so away from the West Creek Recreational Trail, an 18-mile trail that connects Emporium to the nearby city of St. Marys, and a short drive from some of the most unique destinations in the region – such as Cherry Springs State Park, Hyner View State Park, the Elk Country Visitor Center and Straub Brewery, the Inn offers the perfect launchpad for exploring all the region has to offer.

The Hygrade Inn is a host site member of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about the Hygrade Inn and leave them a review or recommendation on their WCO profile.

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