Manufacturer: Carr China Company
User: Hotel Edison and Grill – Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Date of plate: circa early 1950s
Notes: Originally built in 1871 by E.T. Drumheller as the City Hotel in Sunbury, Penn., it became the first building in the world to be lighted by Thomas Edison's three-wire electric system on July 4, 1883.
After sustaining a major fire in 1914, the hotel underwent significant renovations and in 1922 was renamed for Edison, who returned to help celebrate Sunbury's 150th anniversary.
After its initial opening, the hotel quickly established itself as one of the finest places to stay or dine in the Susquehanna Valley.
The ID for this plate is based on a 1950s menu that has the exact same town crier logo as on the plate, holding a sign that says Edison Grill. In addition, this menu mentions that the Edison Grill had Hohenadel Beer on tap. Hohenadel Beer was a brewery in Philadelphia, Penn., that closed in 1953.
The hotel's present owner, Randi Buehner, who has worked at the Edison for over 30 years, bought the hotel in 1994. She confirmed that the Edison had a grill for a short time back in the 1950s, though she was unable to positively identify this china pattern since it predated her association with the hotel.
The Edison is located on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, and currently has 51 rooms and 15 residential apartments.
Contributors:
Content: Susan and Ed Phillips