I’m back! After a very prolonged absence to due a dog bite, a kidney stone, travel and working on some other exciting projects I am ready to get back to it!
Located on Route 220 between Altoona and Tyrone, Pennsylvania, the Minuet Manor Motel and Restaurant opened in the mid-late 1950s (cannot find an exact date). Offering 79 comfortable rooms and a nice meal, the Minuet was a popular spot for local civic and sorority gathers. The restaurant was not just an ordinary eating spot – there’s something of a twist.
The restaurant featured a large collection of pepper mills. According to the verso of the postcard below, The Minuet Manor featured the:
World’s largest collection of unique pepper mills, ranging in size for 3 inches to 7 feet 6-inches. Just one of the many memorable pleasures in store for you at the Minuet Manor is being served freshly ground pepper from this outstanding collection.
The restaurant
The restaurant and motel were a hit throughout the 1960s. Struggling to stay afloat after the gas crisis and a dramatic shift in traveling and dining culture, the Minuet Manor was sold to Arthur and Mary Beth Mittelmark in 1977.
With the 1980s and 1990s came hard times for the venerable motel and restaurant. The best I can figure is the restaurant closed sometime in 1980s or 1990s. I may be wrong and if I am please correct me!
In July 1999 six people were arrested at the motel in the largest heroin bust in Blair County (PA) history.
The motel underwent new ownership around 2000. The new group cleaned the place up and, according to an ad in the classified section of the Altoona Mirror, offered TOTALY REVOVATED ROOMS! That would not instill me with much confidence.
The revovation did not save the motel. The Minuet Manor became a Knight’s Inn before it ultimately closed.
Information on this place is spotty – so if I got something wrong please let me know so I can get it right. If anyone has information on the whereabouts of those pepper mills drop me a line!
I grew up on a farm near Hollidaysburg and my aunt who worked in an office took us all to Minuet Manor after my high school graduation (1979). I thought it was the most elegant place I had ever been.
It’s now Relax Inn. http://relaxinnmotel.com/
Most of the proper mills were gone by 86 to 88 might be some in the basement. I did maintenance work and lived there was a lot of work I even cleaned rooms and cooked . I think that was the last time it was painted. Reputed all the tile to and made covers for Aaa for florescent lights. Was a lot of interesting times there.
Would like to know who made the sign that was displayed across the street