Heritage House All Suites Indiana, Pennsylvania near Indiana University of Pennsylvania

"Stay in the Heart of Indiana's Historic District ...."

The J. P. Carter House (Thomas Sutton House) (209 South Sixth Street) was built in 1870, it is a three story brick
building, merging elements of Second Empire (mansard roof, dormers, classical moldings, and arched doors), and Italian
Villa. The top of the tower has been removed. The dwelling cost Carter, local businessman, $30,000. He deliberately
built a larger house than his neighbor Silas M. Clark in retaliation for Clark's having secured the service of the architect
whom Carter wanted. Thomas Sutton, son of IUP's John Sutton, purchased the home in 1879. Over the years the house
has been divided into apartments. Recently a first floor apartment has been remodeled to be rented nightly and other
apartments will be ready in 2008.

In the process of renovating Heritage House I have stirred up quite a few memories with
local people and a lot of curiosity, too. We have caused countless near accidents with
rubber neckers as they drive by while my friend Sherry and I were cleaning the brick in our
ridiculous yellow rain suits. So many people have honked and shouted out how wonderful
the old place is looking and what a great job we are doing. We even had a jeep yell that
the place was haunted. Not quite sure about that one.

I never expected such an overwhelming response from complete strangers and I have to
say that it really touches my heart and makes me so proud of all the hard work that we are
doing, it really makes it all worthwhile. My only regret is that the weather turned before I
could get the outside painting finished so I apologize for that. Next year is another year.

At least once a week the curiosity gets the best of someone and they peek in the door,
anxious to see what's going on or to tell me their personal memory of Heritage House.

Just the other day an older local brick layer told me that many years ago when he was
up on the roof fixing one of the chimneys, he took a bite of his sandwich and was
stung by a bee. His lip swelled up like a baseball by the time he got down from the
roof.

A woman stopped in and couldn't wait to tell me how she used to live in one of the
upstairs apartments before she graduated from IUP in 1958. She's also the one who
gave me the idea of holding bridge club and red hat society luncheons. Those
restaurants around town kick you out when you're done eating!

I also heard that one of our local politicians lived in one of the apartments for 17
years and actually got married in Heritage House many years ago.

A gentleman recently told us that he lived in Heritage House in 1943, the year inside
plumbing and electricity were installed.

When a previous owner purchased the house the Italian couple living there gave her
one word of advice, love this house and it will love you back.

I would love to hear your Heritage House story. Please write me and I will add your
story and name if you allow.

Where did Heritage House get its name? What really happened to the bell tower? Is the
house really haunted? Why did the Carter's sell it to Thomas Sutton after building this
beautiful house and living there for only 9 years? Who owned it after Thomas Sutton?
Original floor plans? Was the basement used for the underground railroad? Any old
pictures?