Year Established: 1884
Built by John R. Ardell Jr., the leading lumber baron of the Black Moshannon area, this grand residence served both as his personal home and the headquarters for his extensive business operations.
Ardell’s deep ties to the lumbering industry are evident throughout the property. His Starr Mill, located in what is now Black Moshannon State Park, employed up to 300 men and produced an impressive 4 million board feet of lumber annually. The home itself showcases many architectural elements manufactured and sold by Ardell’s company, offering a living catalog of locally crafted materials.
Despite multiple restorations, the house retains its opulent original details—including curved doors with stained glass panels, arched doorways, and massive fireplaces. Adding a personal touch to its more recent history, the current owners met during a local production of My Fair Lady—where Mrs. Schuster played Eliza Doolittle and Mr. Schuster worked behind the scenes building the sets.
