Aquinas Hall has served many purposes since its construction in the late 19th century. Elmer and Elizabeth Daily purchased the mansion from the Park family, turning it into the Ebensburg Inn and later the Elmer Daily Hotel. In 2019, Jean Daily Fullerton, one of Elmer and Elizabeth’s three daughters, passed away. Her children and their families came back to Aquinas Hall for a funeral reception for their mother. Last summer, five of the seven children of another daughter, Fran Daily Crowley, and their families, came back for a wonderful night of food and fun on Husky Hill.
For the 2024 Carrollian Gala, a dinner at Aquinas Hall was an auction item. The Crowley family bid the highest, securing a night at Aquinas Hall. The family came back in August 2024 for a tour, meal, and family fellowship in the place they once called home.
The building was originally built by David E. Park, head of the Crucible Steel Company, as a summer home, in 1900. The building would become The Ebensburg Inn upon Mr. Park’s death, and was sold to Elmer Daily in 1941. The Daily’s operated The Daily Inn for nearly 20 years before donating the building, the property, and $15 million to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Aquinas Hall opened as a boys’ Catholic school in 1959, eventually becoming part of Bishop Carroll High School, holding freshmen classes until 1971. The Sisters of the Carmelite Community of the Word lived in Aquinas Hall from 1971 – 1993. From 1993 until 2009, the building was home at various times to the Family Life Office, the Cambria County Community College, and Wrightco Technologies, before being returned to the school. The Aquinas International Program opened in Aquinas Hall in 2009, welcoming students from all around the globe to Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.
Tom Crowley, son of Fran Daily Crowley, said, “The Inn, for much of the childhood of the Crowley family, was essentially closed to the public. In fact, my mother did not enter back into the building until shortly before her passing in 1997. She fondly remembered its elegance and often told us of times that she spent in the attic where she had a small room in which to paint and read. She told us that most of the beauty of the interior of the building, including the stately double staircase that lie beyond the walls, added to make the building more efficient over the years after it was given to the diocese, remained in tact, perhaps someday to be restored to to their grandeur.”
Elmer Daily had several dignitaries who often visited. One of Elmer’s best friends was famed baseball star Cy Young, who made his way to Ebensburg on a frequent basis and shared his baseball memories with the family and fellow travelers.
When Fran passed in 1997, Bishop Carroll welcomed the Crowley family back to Aquinas Hall to celebrate her life, just as the school would do two decades later for their aunt Jean. Tom said, “How special that day was. Heartbreaking and beautiful.” When the opportunity arose for the family to return to their roots, they collectively decided to do so.
Tom Crowley commented, “I think that all of us wanted to come back and celebrate a time that has passed and often been forgotten. As with all history, time marches on and cobwebs form, memories fade, and people pass. Elmer and Elizabeth Daily were really quite accomplished professionals and, in their time, were influential. The Ebensburg Inn is memorable to many Ebensburghers and brings pride to the community. To see the physical manifestation of this building remain in some way is wonderful. And just like the Dailys, who constantly reinvented their businesses, The Inn has continuously reinvented its purpose and continues to contribute to the wonderful town of Ebensburg. The Inn is part and parcel of Bishop Carroll and is used in education. Many of the Daily’s descendants have become educators, including 2 of the 3 daughters.”
The family is proud of the role they have played in maintaining such a beautiful and historic building. “It is a visible symbol of the industrious past of the town, and in particular, my family. We were simply caretakers along the road its history. It is certainly a beautiful structure that shows the strength, craftsmanship, ingenuity, and tenacity of the American spirit. It is not a monument to the past but a vital part of the future. What occurs there contributes in a meaningful way to the future and gives a nod to the past. It can be both a point of pride and reason for optimism.”
The family is impressed that Bishop Carroll Catholic High School has maintained and updated the building so well over the years. They believe that the renovations are vitally important so that the building can live on in useful and productive support of the school community.
The Crowleys were so pleased to be able to have dinner at Aquinas Hall. They plan on making it an annual tradition, and inviting more members of the family to join them.
Tom Crowley sums up Aquinas Hall in words no other can describe, saying, “Aquinas Hall came from the vision of Catholic leadership and individual leadership that has led to a lasting partnership. Aquinas Hall has provided the basis for children to be educated with a Christian focus, been a home for sisters of the faith, been a community college, and now as a home for foreign students who wish to receive a Christian education in the United States. Wow! This Hall has been more than a shiny pearl object of opulence of its original builder. This Hall has provided more than a rest for weary business travelers. It has been a launching pad into the future for so many with its educational opportunities. Aquinas Hall should bring pride to all who value the Christian faith and education of the young!”
Thank you to the Daily and Crowley families for maintaining the building and gifting it to Bishop Carroll Catholic High School all those many years ago. The family will always be part of the larger Bishop Carroll family, and we look forward to welcoming them back year after year!
PICTURES:
1. All members of the Crowley Family that attended the dinner
2. The Crowley siblings in attendance
3. A painting by Fran Dailey Crowley of Aquinas Hall (Elmer Daily Ebensburg Inn)
4. A picture of the building at the time of Elmer Daily's ownership