Brockerhoff Hotel
Why it's listed
Built in 1866 on the site of an earlier inn by Henry Brockerhoff, a German-born banker who was president of the Centre County Banking Company, the Brockerhoff Hotel is a large brick building in the center of Bellefonte. Measuring about 170 by 60 feet, it has a commercial ground floor, two hotel floors and an unfinished attic. In the 1880s it was remodeled with a mansard roof, and a further remodeling in 1890 produced the present top story. The roof is covered in slate with bright red, green, white and cream patterns, reflecting late nineteenth century eclecticism that draws on Queen Anne and Second Empire styles. Most of its interior partitions are brick, a precaution linked to Bellefonte's history of destructive fires. The hotel is regarded as one of the town's principal architectural landmarks and remained in the Brockerhoff family for generations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is closely tied to Bellefonte's prosperity in the 19th century and is one of the town's principal architectural landmarks. Its bold late 19th century mansard roof with colored slates and its largely brick interior partitions are cited as outstanding features. It is also described as physically central to the town and a visual landmark.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77001137, listed April 11, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | High and Allegheny Sts., Bellefonte |
|---|---|
| County | Centre County |
| Listed | April 11, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001137 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1866 |
| Architectural style | Italianate; Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building stands empty above the first story and is in need of repair, though the document describes it as in good structural condition. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Bellefonte Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.91176, -77.77814 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77001137.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4972782
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.