Built in 1792, the log cabin was part of the Updegraff property that lies across the road and is now the only building left standing.

“It was well known that the Updegraff family was involved in the Underground Railroad,” said Scott Sager, who is the Curator of Collections at the Thomas T. Taber Museum.

According to archeologist Robin Van Auken, the Updegraffs purchased the land in 1788 and settled it in 1789.

Van Auken wrote on https://handsonheritage.com/long-reach-and-the-thomas-lightfoot-inn/, “According to eyewitness accounts, the [Updegraff] homestead featured two historic tunnels that connected the farm and the granary to the West Branch Canal, which was built in the 1830s. The Updegraffs used the tunnels to transport products from the canal boats to the farm. As they were abolitionists and Quakers, the family also used the tunnels to shuttle runaway slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.”

After a site survey overseen by Van Auken and conducted by Lycoming College, there was no evidence of tunnels but Van Auken noted, “The archaeological investigation of the property purchased by Bernard Rell was limited in scope and resources. Archaeologists had less than five days to dig test pits and expand the units that yielded significant material.”

Rell, who is referenced, is the current owner of the former Updegraff property, which was also home to the Thomas Lightfoote Inn prior to Rell’s ownership. It was fondly regarded by locals but sadly burned down in 2002.

A Williamsport Sun-Gazette article on Tuesday, June 21 reported, “The elegant Thomas Lightfoote Inn on South Reach Road, housed a landmark dating back to the late 1700s, was destroyed late Monday night in a spectacular blaze that turned the structure into a massive wall of flames.

The log cabin was unscathed from the blaze and also managed to avoid other disasters like flooding, despite its close proximity to the Susquehanna River.

“It is on the highest (ground) between Lock Haven and Sunbury,” said Jack Kramer, who once lived in the cabin.

The property is actually part of Anna Marie Kramer’s estate, who was Jack’s ex-wife decades before she passed away last year.

The cabin once served as a granary housing grain and sat alongside the historic Pennsylvania Canal. According to the River Valley Transit Authority’s website, the canal played a pivotal part in local history.

“In Williamsport in the 1800’s, as in most river communities of that time, transportation largely revolved around the river. The West Branch Division of the Susquehanna Canal, which was part of a statewide canal system, reached Williamsport in 1833 and Lock Haven in 1834. The canal was instrumental in the development of Williamsport as a lumbering center,” noted ridervt.com,

“Unfortuanately, not much is left of the canal and that is an important part of the history of transportation in our area,” said Sager.

According to Jack, the canal’s water was just feet away from the log structure.

“There were mules that pulled the barges to the granary,” said Jack, who added the mules were housed in the basement.

After Jack purchased the granary in 1965, he found mule hair on basement beams during renovations to convert the granary into a home.

“He added the kitchen, bathroom and another room upstairs,” said Amanda Roan Covert of Roan, Inc, the company charged with auctioning the property.

In addition, a metal roof, gas heat and an ample fireplace with mountain stone in the living room were added. However, Jack strove to retain historic architectural elements of the structure. The original logs and chinking can be seen on the exterior and interior. In addition, the stone foundation is still intact along with hand hewn beams lining the ceilings.

The log cabin has two floors, which totals almost 1,300 square feet on a .03 acre lot.

“The surrounding land is dike owned,” said Covert.

The property will be auctioned onsite by Roan Inc. on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m.

Jack is excited for a new family to enjoy the historic home with a view to the Susquehanna River.

He said, “It’s country living in the city.”