The original Option House opened in the early 1880's next door to the first
Bradford Oil Exchange. The oil traders gave the new establishment it's name, as they traded oil- five million barrels daily
in those boom years- in "option"contracts. The Oil Exchange is gone, but the Option House remains.
In 1902 the McBrides, owners and proprietors, tore down the wooden
frame Option House and built a modern, fireproof, four story establishment of the same name on the same site. The new building
was designed and built by architect Frederick French, with an exterior facade in rococo style featuring splashy decorations
of garlands, cupids and stone tablets called cartouches. Inside were neo-classical touches like wood-carved ionic columns
and egg and dart patterned ceiling molding. People compared it favorably to Bradford"s other fine hotels like the Pierce House
and the St. James. The Peirce and the St. James are memories, But The beautiful architecture of the Option House remains.
The Prohibition Amendment was passed in 1919 and went into effect
in 1920. People who wanted a drink with thier fine Option House food now had to turn to bathtub distillation or buy bootleg
liquor of questionable quality. Good bonded liquor, bottled in other countries, was smuggled into the U.S.- it was said to
be "just off the boat". Most of the liquor available, however, tasted like it had been scraped off a boat. Prohibition ended
in 1933. The tradition of fine food and drink at the Option House remains.
In years past buisinessmen have stood in the Option House along the
long,long bar installed by Brunswick, Balke & Callendar waiting for the streetcar on Main Street. The last streetcar ran
by on Sept. 29, 1929. The long,long bar at the Option House remains.
Over the years Bradfordians have witnessed alot of changes. People,
buisinesses and buildings have come and gone. The country's economy has gone up and down, like the human flies who once climbed
the front of the Option House. Nevertheless, some things have remained the same.
The Option House is now owned by a couple of young guys by the name of Brett
Herzog and Dean Goodwill of Smethport Penna. who want to maintain tradition.
The Option House- fine spirits for more than a century.
