The building first known as Harr's Hotel (at what was then Main and Railroad Avenue) was known for many years as the Perkasie Hotel and then later as the Union Hotel (later Chestnut and Seventh Streets). The Union Hotel was built in 1872 by J.A. Hendricks.

The Union Hotel (right) and Perkasie Hotel (left) circa 1912.		Union Hotel and Perkasie Hotel as seen from above .

In an ad for the Perkasie Hotel in the first issue of the Central News on June 9, 1881, John Harr was listed as the proprietor. The ad read "choice wines, liquors, and cigars at the bar. Best accommodations for transient and permanent guests. A good livery stable attached where all can be accommodated with teams at very moderate terms."

In November of 1888, Perkasie Hotel owner D.M. Beyer prepared an oyster salon occupation by O.S. Kramer. In 1894 John Harr began to build a two story ice cream salon and restaurant to adjoin the Perkasie Hotel. The Perkasie Hotel in 1895 was considered one of the finest buildings that railroad travelers sees. At that time it had 24 rooms, an additional parlor, a ladies restaurant, and kitchen added.

In 1890 the hotel livery stable was destroyed by a fire; the fire destroyed 12 separate buildings and led to interest in forming a local fire company. After the stable burned a two and a half story building was immediately erected. In addition to the stabling facilities, there was a band hall, a barber shop, and an elegant pool room. In 1902 a porch and verandah were erected on the Seventh Street side.

In 1903 D. H. Meyers spent $10,000 to double the size of the Perkasie Hotel. The 45 x 52 foot addition was 3 stories high and topped with a French roof. The basement contained wash-room and toilet rooms. The first floor included a barroom, sample room, rathskeller. sitting room, parlor, dining room, kitchen, and sewing room. The 2nd and 3rd floors contained the sleeping rooms which included wash stands, annunciators, and telephones.

The hotel was sold to various owners including the 1905 sale from D.H. Meyers to J. Warren Espenship for $50,000. Included in the deal were three, 3 story stores, 3-story livery stable and cold storage plant. It was later purchased by Oscar Myers for $38,000. in January of 1911.

The Union Hotel was a popular restaurant and was also sometimes used as a boarding house for people that came to Perkasie for short visits. The people that stayed in the hotel were normal everyday people. In January of 1941, 35 cents would buy a customer a platter with coffee in the bar and grill. In 1954 when owned by Mr. & Mrs. James J. Heller, the dining room was open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

With declining numbers of travelers coming to Perkasie, the Union Hotel was torn down. This decision was made because the town leadership thought there was a need for more modern businesses in the downtown area. There were also many other buildings torn down with the hotel on this block as part of an urban renewal project. Today Shelly's (hardware store) and other businesses sit on this block where the hotel was originally located.

The Union Hotel at the turn of the century looking down Seventh Street from Chestnut Street toward Market Street		This parking lot at Shelly's now stands where the Union and Perkasie Hotels were once located (similar view toward Market Street).