Rose Valley 
easy of access. Fifty years ago, this valley con¬ 
tained several mills, and numerous houses, the prin¬ 
cipal industry being that of snuff" making. The 
fashion of snuff" taking having long since passed, 
picturesque old houses "were left tenantless while 
the old stone mills fell into ruins, and Rose Valley 
became a deserted village. 
Mr. William L. Price and Mr. Hawley McLanahan 
were the first to realize the possibilities of such a place 
becoming a centre in which kindred spirits could 
dwell in pleasant social intercourse, and where work 
could be done under peculiarly ideal conditions. 
The result of this conception was the forming of 
“The Rose Valley Association,” which was char¬ 
tered under Pennsylvania State Laws in July, 1901, 
stream that flows past the house, with an old village 
pump in close proximity. Above the main doorway 
hangs an old-world sign, which reads: 
“ Food for tlie hungry 
Drink for the thirsty, 
And quiet rest at the 
Rose Valley Guest House.” 
This quaint little inn is to-day the public hostelry, 
and many take advantage of a few day’s rest in the 
delightful atmosphere of Rose Valley. The outside 
walls of the guest house have been left untouched, 
but what were formerly narrow passages and stair¬ 
cases have been changed into spacious rooms with 
enormous fireplaces. This change was brought 
about by removing several of the partition walls. 
RUINS OUT OF WHICH THE ROSE VALLEY SHOPS WERE CONSTRUCTED 
for the purpose of encouraging the manufacture of 
such articles involving artistic handicraft as are used 
in finishing, decorating, and furnishing of houses. 
Twenty-five thousand dollars, the entire capital 
stock, was expended the first year by the association 
in the purchase of seventy-five acres of land, and in 
the alteration of buildings, fifteen acres of land being 
set aside as a permanent park. The first achieve¬ 
ment was the turning of a row of workmen’s cottages 
into a simple and artistic guest house, where the 
people could stay while their own houses were being 
built or reconstructed. The guest house is extremely 
picturesque with rustic porticoes. A feature of 
the place is a small stone bridge crossing the little 
The green shutters of the second floor windows, 
with casement windows above, have changed the 
aspect from a dreary, row of cottages to an inviting 
wayside inn. 
On entering the guest house the visitor is at once 
attracted by the homely simplicity of the place. 
With furniture made in the Rose Valley shops, with 
simple valanced curtains at the windows, and tab¬ 
lets with quaint mottoes on the walls, it would he 
difficult to find a more delightful spot for a week-end 
holiday. It is quite the custom, especially on Sun¬ 
days, for men taking long walks to drop in for the 
midday dinner. Introductions seem not to be 
necessary, for the feeling of comradeship prevails. 
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