The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church purchased the mansion of S. S. Blair (an early Pennsylvania Railroad superintendent) at 951 Washington Ave. on September 30, 1919. The first of fourteen residents was admitted on January 1, 1920. Additions to the original building were made in 1921, 1925, and 1955. 
    Life-safety-code requirements caused the original building to be demolished in 1974. A new four-story building was completed in 1975. Renovations and additions continue to be made to the Epworth Manor Complex (formerly called the Methodist Home) that include much of the block facing Washington Ave. and the block behind, on So. Lincoln Ave. 
    Across Washington Ave. from Epworth Manor was the “Chief Logan Big Spring,” which attracted many people to watch the large trout there. Unfortunately, the Big Spring has been filled in, but memories still recall the fact that this was a favorite Indian campsite, later owned by the early ancestors of Fred Waring.