Sara's Family History

Pictured above are Joseph, Sara, and Harriet Swartsel. Shortly after their marriage, Joseph and Harriet bought the land on which PCHS and the Sayler-Swartsel House are located. It had been owned by Harriet's father, Winfield Vickers and before him, Sebastian Sayler who had built this house circa 1860.

In 1930, while Joseph tended to the farming chores, Harriet began a full-service restaurant out of the house. With the help of Sara, other local hired staff, and chickens from the farm, the restaurant became a success quickly and was serving close to 75 meals per day in it's second year! It stayed open until 1938 when Harriet passed away.

Sara eventually moved to Dayton where she was a public school teacher. Her father lived with her until his passing. Sara decided to donate the entire property to PCHS in 1974 with the understanding that it would be used as a historical center and wildlife sanctuary.

**Remember, this website is just a taste of what you will find when you come and visit PCHS! There is plenty more to see and do on the actual grounds!**

Would you like to visit another feature of the Sayler-Swartsel House? If so, click on a link below.

Sayler-Swartsel House	Architectural History	The Oldest Piano?	The Elephant Table
	This publication made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.