The Howard House was erected on Utica Street sometime after 1863. Probably known as the Western Hotel as stated in the 1868 directory: “John W. McLean as the late proprietor of the then Western Hotel, which became known as the Howard House in 1868.”

The Howard brothers, John and Rush, became the owners. They ran the Howard House and the New Howard House until 1916. The hotel was headquarters of the Old Stage Coach lines, which ran between Port Byron and Auburn and points north.

In June 1873, the hotel underwent renovations inside and out to make it more attractive. The woodwork had been handsomely grained, and the walls covered with a fine tinted paper.

The door frames had also been grained. The water towers on the front corners were probably added at this time. It became known as the New Howard House.

In 1880, the Howard brothers applied for water in the Howard House. In 1883, the village installed the water fountain in the park across the street from the hotel and in front of the Park Hotel. Rush Howard was paid $5 per year to maintain the fountain. This fountain was taken down when Route 31 was enlarged. (A new fountain was erected at a later date and still stands in the Triangle Park in the center of the town. The Howard House prospered until prohibition when the village was voted “dry,” and then the business dropped off.

This hotel was one of the finest in this section of the state. Many famous men have enjoyed the hospitality of the various proprietors, best known among them being the Howard brothers. Before William Howard Taft was elected president, he spoke from the second floor balcony during a political campaign for senator. Others who gained fame in public life and were entertained in the spacious dining room and the ballroom f the hotel included: Governor Dox, former governor; Supreme Court Justice Charles F. Hughs; Job Hedges, famed as a lecturer and after-diner speaker, and many others.

The Howard House was owed after the Howard brothers by Frank C. Kellogg. Arthur E. Blauvelt bought the hotel in later years, and he had the largest portion of the old hotel torn down because of the dangerous condition.

From a newspaper article dated Jan. 19, 1916: “The Howard House in Port Byron, once one of the best known hotels in the area, was sold yesterday by George Pearce of this city, to Nellis of New York who sold it to A. W. Beach of Port Byron. Mr. Beach plans to tear down the wooden portion of the hotel to erect a modern garage. The brick portion will remain for dwelling.”

On Feb. 4, 1948, flames wrecked the Howard House. The building was owned by Arthur E. Blauvelt of Port Byron and was occupied by the Fitzgerald family. The fire apparently started in the south-east corner of the second floor bedroom from and over heated chimney or stove pipe in the closet. All the occupants were able to escape the flames with only minor burns. They lost most of their possession. The Fitzgerald's had been residents in the hotel for about eight years. The fire threatened the nearby restaurant-stand and the Clifford Mecomber garage and the Odd Fellows Temple, the latter being separated by a vacant lot. These were located on then north-east corner of the Howard House.

At the rear of the hotel stood a recently used stable for horses (Newkirk and Bowen, owners 1945-'52). These buildings were saved due to no wind and fast actions of the firefighters. The part that burned was the original Kendrick Block.

Today a parking lot, Port Byron Laundromat and Updike's Garage occupies the site of the original Howard House on Utica Street. The safe that was used in the Howard House has been located in the former I.R. Warren Mill on Mill Street. (Now known at the Day Spring Mill.) Photos have been taken of the safe showing the lettering “Howard House” on the front of the safe.

References: Bruce Carter's research and notes; Port Byron Chronicles; Syracuse Post-Standard newspapers; Lock 52 Historical Society; and various ads in old newspapers.

Penny Helzer is historian for the village of Port Byron