1917 Reading Eagle Newspaper Article
"Berks Hotel Stand was Once State Property"
-Hostelry at Moselem Springs in Hands of Leibensperger Family since 1847.
Names of Men Who Have Conducted Tavern and Store at that Place-
An examination of the deeds of the Moselem Springs Hotel and store property,
in Richmond township, along the Kutztown state road, now owned and operated
by Joel M. Liebensperger, shows that in 1748 Conrad Miller purchased it
from the state, it having been acquired by the commonwealth at the time
the old Easton road was surveyed. The following facts will be especially
interesting to those in the East Penn region and elsewhere who know of this
hostelry and store stand:
"In 1810 Conrad Miller sold the property to Thomas Dumn, who, in 1830, disposed of the property to Michael Dumn for $4,000. Michael Dumn died in 1840 and then the property was transferred by the court to Samuel Dumn. It was in 1847 that the name Leibensperger was linked to the place. Solomon Leibensperger buying the real estate from Samuel Dumn for $6,000. The hotel which still stands was erected by Mr. Leibensperger in 1852. His son, John, was to take possession of it, but before the building was complete, John Leibensperger died. The elder Leibensperger remained the owner of the property until 1883, when he died and Jacob D. Leibensperger got possession of it. He died in 1893, and since then the present owner has had it. Thus for 70 years the property has been in possession of the Leibensperger family."
The landlords of the hotel follow in order:
"Samuel Dumn, for several years; Adan Weidenhammer until 1868, Isaac P. Merkel, 1868 to 1872; Edmund Scholl, 1872 to 1875; Henry R. Miller, 1875 to 1877; Samuel Hl Fegely, 1877 to 1882; Joel M. Leibensperger, 1882 to 1894; William M. Leibensperger, 1894-1899; Joel M. Leibensperger, since 1899." (to current 1917)
Like every other hotel that was erected in time past, no thought was given to what are now called modern conveniences. Bath tubs in rural districts were not "style" in the days when the Easton road was opened and even many years following that time. But in order to keep up with the pace of time and progress, the present owner expended a considerable sum of money to install all the conveniences. A compressed gas lighting system furnishes the illumination, taking place of the kerosene lamps. From the very origin of the hotel a reputation for good meals has been linked to it. In the eary days, when travel was heavy on the Easton road- from Easton to Philadelphia- Kutztown was frequently a stopping place, and the Moselem Spring hostelry was known for its "old-fashioned dinners". Frequently as many as a dozen teams were housed for a night, and the old records of landlords show that buckwheat cakes and sausage was a favorite breakfast menu.
Since the erection of the building a portion of it has been devoted to a general store room. It was customary in years gone by to conduct a hotel and store room "under the same roof," just as grist mills were built so as to have the dwelling under the same roof. The store keepers were as follows:
"Samuel Lenhart, for several years; John K. Rothermel and Jacob G. Hill, respectively for several years; Adam Weidenhammer, 1862-1868; Isaac P. Merkel, 1868-1872; Edmund Scholl, 1872-1874; William Epting and Henry Miller, 1874 to 1877; Samuel H. Fegely, 1877 to 1882; Joel S. Heffner, 1882 to 1884; Joel M. Leibensperger, 1884 to 1911; Elmer A.F. Kline, 1911 to the present time."
In 1896 the store room was enlarged to the present dimensions, 30 feet by 75 feet. The name Moselem Springs was given to the place because of fresh water springs and the Moselem trout stream, which runs near. A creamery was built in 1894. It is operated by D.F. Kelchner, of Fleetwood. In 1872 a blacksmith shop was erected and it was rebuilt in 1902. Albert A. Weidner has charge of this business. Thus the hamlet of Moselem Springs represents the idea of many years ago, when the store, hotel and blacksmith shop made up a "town". The post office was abolished, and the mail is served by rural route from Fleetwood.--------(the end...)
