LOCK HAVEN — The Fallon Hotel has stood along Water Street for over a century.

Built in 1856 by the Queen of Spain, Maria Christina, the monarch would never actually set foot in the building. However, its significance to the Lock Haven area wasn’t hindered by her lack of appearance.

At the time, the hotel was considered one of the most elegant in the area, with some famous faces of the 19th century, including Mark Twain and P.T. Barnum, spending a night or two there.

Over the years it buzzed with restaurant customers, hosted wedding receptions and banquets and hotel guests.

The building’s owner, Carey Chisolm of C&Q Investment Properties LLC, would like to return the property to its former glory, much like some of the city’s residents.

However, according to Chisolm, he’s been faced with multiple roadblocks put in place by outside forces.

“Everyone has a dream and everyone has a vision … the American dream,” Chisolm said in an exclusive interview with The Express.

Chisolm said that he dreams of rehabilitating The Fallon Hotel and making it a space for everyone to enjoy. A dream he’s had since first entering into an Article of Agreement with its previous owners Terry and Delores Mantle in 2019.

Multiple documents given to The Express via a right-to-know request from the City of Lock Haven have indicated Chisolm as the secondary owner of the property. However, that’s changed.

Chisolm noted he has since concluded the Article of Agreement with the Mantles and his LLC, C&Q Investment Properties, own the property at 131 E. Water St.

According to documents filed in the Clinton County Register and Recorder’s office, Chisolm officially purchased the property from the Mantles for $39,559.20 on Aug. 24, 2021.

Prior to the transfer of the property’s title, while under the Article of Agreement, Chisolm has done what he can to renovate the property. However, many factors have made this process more difficult.

Chisolm said he understands the work that needs to be done to get the building operational and wants to take a tiered approach when restoring the entire building.

In May of 2019, Chisolm offered The Express a look inside the building and spoke about his plans for the structure.

Chisolm’s plans to renovate the first floor completely, while sealing off the second, third and fourth for the time being are still in place, he said.

Over time, Chisolm would like to continue to renovate each floor until the entire building is operational again.

However, outside forces have caused some roadblocks for Chisolm as he continues to work towards his vision.

In 2019, the historic building was vandalized twice which caused even more damage inside the aging structure. Ceiling tiles were pulled down on multiple floors, graffiti was spray painted on the walls and furniture and other property was destroyed during the attack.

This setback didn’t stop Chisolm from wanting to make the vision he had for The Fallon a reality. Not long after the vandalism, he was back to work.

“Then when I mustered up the courage to get back to it again in 2020 … COVID hit,” Chisolm said.

In early 2020, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in his emergency declaration placed restrictions on multiple industries, including contracting and construction which hindered Chisolm’s efforts.

“Once COVID restraints were removed in June, I got back in there,” Chisolm said.

Chisolm’s progress was slowed again however when city officials conducted an inspection of the property in July. In early August a report from the city’s building code official, Cyndi Walker, sent to the Mantles and Chisolm ordered the structure be vacated due to safety concerns.

According to documents from City Hall, the building was deemed unsafe due to “falling ceilings, visible mold, wet areas, exposed electrical devices, buckling floors, broken and inoperable windows, potential structural issues, corroded inoperable plumbing, unsafe dryer venting and a deteriorating chimney.”

The order states Chisolm must complete multiple, large scale repairs and renovations before Sept. 27.

Chisolm acknowledged the issues the building is facing, but told The Express while he would like to fix them, he cannot due to the vacancy order. He added that he has been securing structural engineering plans, as well, from a firm.

“I don’t mind making the repairs needed,” Chisolm said.

Unfortunately, he has been stuck in place since the inspection in July and even more so now due to the order.

Chisolm said he would like to work together with the city to create a positive space for everyone to enjoy.

“I want everyone to have fun here,” Chisolm said.

Chisolm’s current plan is to get the building assessed by an engineer, apply for the proper permits he needs to make repairs and continue charging forward toward his goal to rehabilitate The Fallon.

Completing the repairs necessary and continuing with the renovation and rehabilitation of the historic building is what Chisolm wants to do, regardless of the obstacles.

“At the end of the day, when city officials go home at five, their job ends there,” Chisolm said. “At the end of the day, I go home with this. This is my lifestyle.”