History & Mystery at Inn 422

Inn 422 is a Victorian style Bed and Breakfast with enough history and mysteries to fascinate even the most skeptical. The original home on the property was built by Robert and Anna Coleman. The Coleman family was one of the wealthiest and most prestigious families in the nation. The home would be for their daughter Anne Caroline, a recent law school graduate of Dickinson College. Anne would have only a short time on this world, but she definitely made her impact felt.

During her short and tumultuous life she had practiced law at what would eventually become the Lebanon Historical Society. Besides being a successful lawyer, she also caught the eye of a young man full of aspiration; a man her family didn’t approve of. Even though this young lad was a recent law graduate himself, the Coleman family felt he was only after their money. In those times most wealthy families pre-arranged marriages, so when the two became engaged, her parents became enraged. After being forced by her parents to split, Anne became quite depressed and eventually committed suicide on an overdose of Laudanum while visiting Philadelphia. Her would be suitor who was deemed not good enough for the family became heartbroken and vowed to remain a bachelor forever. He stuck with that vow until the day he died, and is forever remembered as the only bachelor President, James Buchanon. Upon President Buchanon’s death, he had all memories and photos of Anne burned and destroyed.

By the 1880’s, the former home of Anne was replaced by the current residence that now sits in its place. The home was built for the Superintendents of the Lebanon Coke and Iron Plant. Eventually the home was transformed into the Bed and Breakfast it is today. Though the home has changed, not all believe the history or the mystery is forgotten. Anne’s spirit is known to still frequent the Inn, keeping overnight visitors restless as she opens and closes windows and doors, and is particularly fond of rearranging the pillows on the bed.

More on Inn 422 and other Outta the Way spots