Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club
Why it's listed
Built between 1905 and 1930 on a hillock above Spruce Creek in Franklin Township, Huntingdon County, the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club centres on a two-and-one-half story clubhouse of local field stone and lumber with gambrel roofs and shed dormers. Altoona businessmen founded the club in 1904 to secure exclusive fishing privileges on several farms in the valley, and it acquired its land in 1905 to build a clubhouse and trout hatcheries. Members worked with the Pennsylvania State Fish Hatchery in Bellefonte to stock the creek, and the club's efforts are credited with introducing German Brown Trout there. The clubhouse was designed by the Altoona firm of Schollar and Hersch and combines Colonial Revival form with rustic stonework. Its interiors retain original furnishings, including Mission Style pieces. The club has operated continuously for roughly eighty years, and its architecture is regarded as an unusual blend of Colonial Revival and rustic design suited to its setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the club is significant for its recreational history, as a fishing and hunting club founded by Altoona businessmen to secure exclusive fishing rights and stock Spruce Creek with trout. It also cites the clubhouse's architecture, designed by the Altoona firm of Schollar and Hersch, as an interesting blend of Colonial Revival and rustic design suited to its location and purpose.
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 91000228, listed February 28, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 45 W of Graysville, Franklin Township, Franklinville |
|---|---|
| County | Huntingdon County |
| Listed | February 28, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000228 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Frederic James Schollar and Frank A. Hersch (Schollar and Hersch, Altoona firm) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The club has operated continuously since its inception and retains a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 40.67469, -78.04732 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 91000228.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7581399
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.