History

When I was growing up in the fifties and sixties, it seemed that everyone knew my home as the Billy Bliss Place (in fact it is still shown on most county maps as the William Bliss Farm). In 1946 my parents, Clifford and Nellie Allen fell in love with the location of the farm and setting of the house and purchased the property, now known as the Allen Farm. They started their life here by tearing down some decrepit out buildings, replacing the rundown porch, and adding inside plumbing. Over the years they maintained and improved the house and barn, added the signature white board fence out front, and livestocked ponies and first Hereford and then Charolais beef cattle. The original barn burned in August of 1988 and was replaced later that year. A neighboring farm was purchased and several acres were sold to what became our most valuable assets, our neighbors. Located on Route 6 in the middle of Tioga County, the still working farm now consists of 150 acres and supports primarily horses and Charolais cattle. I recently came across an article in the local paper dated 1988 that said I was in the process of restoring the house, believed to have been built in the 1860's. That process continues with one addition built in 2003 and another in 2005.

Farm Happenings

You and your children are encouraged to enjoy the farm and nature as I have: by taking a walk in the meadows and woods, strolling the spacious lawns with the many shade and fruit trees, petting the horses, and checking out the various new additions in the barn. You are welcome to watch and even participate in the chores and activities that define a farm. As you do so, keep your eyes open, as it is common to see a flock of wild turkeys, a small herd of white-tailed deer, and occasionally a black bear a safe distance from the house. Later on your evening reverie might be punctuated by the neigh of a horse, the scream of a hawk, or if conditions are right, a distant train whistle. Though we are located just three miles from Wellsboro, the house, barn and other buildings sit back from the road, surrounded by white board fences, and thus are somewhat removed from the traffic of the main road and pace of the everyday world. It is this peacefulness I wish to share with you.

The House

The Allen Farm Bed & Breakfast offers comfortable accommodations close to local area attractions as well as a quiet getaway to relax in front of the fireplace, soak in the hot tub, or rest on one of the several porches. As everything seems to be on the farm, the house is a work in progress. One hundred plus year old windows have been replaced, two inches thick outer walls have become four inches thick to accommodate extra insulation, and wainscoting has been stripped of several coats of paint to return to the original varnished wood. Porch railings have been added, new siding and trim applied, as well as new wiring for new porch lighting. (Did I mention the loads of old plaster and lathe that were removed?) Presently we offer five bedrooms with bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and pool table room. The basement boasts a stone wall as a testimony to some unknown masons’ handiwork. This area will soon be available as a suite with two queen size beds, a kitchen, and bath. Three of the bedrooms are upstairs; two share a balcony and one has a private veranda. We will also be attempting to finish a theater room, panel a music room, and put the finishing touches on the kitchen. Next summer’s schedule includes a two thousand square foot addition that will house an indoor pool and two more bedrooms with baths. If you plan to visit the area and the Allen Farm Bed & Breakfast, I hope that when you leave, you have come to consider this farm, this house that is my home, a home to you also.

Area Attractions and Events

While tourists that visit Wellsboro often volunteer how fortunate we are to be able to call the town with the gaslit boulevards home, it is the fifty mile long Grand Canyon that beautiful Tioga County is best known. The 300,000 mostly state owned acres that surround the Pine Creek gorge are filled with dirt roads and trails that boast not only breathtaking views, but local wildlife, such as deer, turkey, grouse, and bear. The Pine Creek Rail-Trail offers an up close view of the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon for bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers. In June the State Laurel Festival concludes its week long festivities with a parade and the crowning of the queen. Dickens of a Christmas celebrates the friendly small town atmosphere of Wellsboro when Main Street is closed to motorized vehicles and period costumes transform Wellsboro into a quaint Victorian 19^th century village. This is just a brief overview of all that the area offers. For more attractions and events and their dates and times, contact the Chamber of Commerce at www.wellsboropa.com or 570-724-1926.