Daycation: Charming riverside retreat Foxburg enchants
A tiny riverside borough big on tourism is rolling out the welcome mat for visitors from near and far along the Allegheny River in Clarion County.
Foxburg, located less than 15 minutes off exit 45 on I-80 and about 85 miles from Pittsburgh, offers natural beauty, a nationally recognized public historic golf course, winery, rails-to-trails, artisan chocolate, casual and fine dining, a library, cultural events and more.
The little borough even caught the eyes of globe-trotting couple Saji and Shannon Daniel during a 2020 visit.
“Our first visit was in the fall and we fell in love with the RiverStone Estate and charming downtown Foxburg,” Saji Daniel said. “We’ve traveled all over the world and we must say this Allegheny River Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.”
The Daniels purchased RiverStone Estate for an undisclosed amount from previous owner Dr. Arthur Steffee, a sprawling, hilltop mansion originally built by the Fox family of Philadelphia, who established Foxburg in 1827.
The land’s original owners, George Roberts, Joseph Paker Norris, Samuel Mickle Fox and George Fox purchased 6,600 acres in 1796 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Formerly known as The Fox Mansion, the renamed estate is a private residence, not open to the public.
The Daniels purchased the mansion along with more than 50 lots in Foxburg, as majority owners, with plans in the works to open additional businesses.
“We own everything on Main Street except for the coffee shop and the Allegheny Grille,” Saji Daniel said.
The couple are on a mission to promote, revitalize and create a riverfront tourist destination while maintaining the overall needs of the community.
“Our common goals are improving infrastructure, economic development, attracting new businesses and residents and preserving Foxburg’s rich history and culture. Having social responsibility is paramount to us,” said Saji Daniel.
A recent celebratory birthday lunch at the Allegheny Grille, a lunch/dinner full-service bar and restaurant on the banks of the Allegheny River, is an annual tradition for one fan of Foxburg.
“Foxburg brings me sheer happiness,” said longtime visitor Suzanne Kildoo of Springfield Township in Mercer County.
Kildoo visits Foxburg every year to toast her birthday and enjoy a meal overlooking the river, alongside her husband of 45 years, Ron Kildoo.
The couple said they’re drawn to the sweeping views of the water and enjoy watching people enjoy the river.
“We formerly had a ski boat for years and we love the water view,” said Suzanne Kildoo, 64.
Tubing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular outdoor recreational pursuits in Foxburg, Kildoo said.
Visitors looking for more than a daycation to Foxburg have two primary lodging choices, the Foxburg Inn or Airbnb rentals.
The Foxburg Inn is a 24-room boutique hotel, featuring a newly built glass pavilion venue available for rental.
Longtime resident Norma Baum moved to the Foxburg area when she was 4.
Baum co-owns and manages a riverfront Airbnb property less than a mile from Foxburg.
Baum said visitors to Foxburg can’t miss the core group of businesses on Main Street.
“It’s one-block long,” Baum joked. “People love the quiet, the relaxation and watching the river flow by. I very much appreciate the area I live in. The wildlife — birds, deer, bear, beavers — I’ve seen them all. The visitors from the city can enjoy nature without stress.”
Pontoon boat tours along the Allegheny are a popular activity and teacher and local resident Kurt Crosbie offers a variety of historically-based tours on a boat that launches from the Foxburg Bike Trail.
He owns the business with his wife Joanne and they started the tours 15 years ago when their friend Steffee encouraged them to open a business that would provide visitors a way to tour and see the river.
“Our tour business has been a great way for us to share the rich history and the diverse ecosystem in this incredible area,” Crosbie said.
Bald eagle sightings are not uncommon and Crosbie’s background as a history teacher lends itself to informative and comprehensive tours.
“Many of our customers come to Foxburg from Pittsburgh and Cleveland with others traveling from Erie, Butler, Clarion and Clearfield areas. But we’ve also entertained people from Canada, England, South Africa, Kenya, Ukraine, Brazil and Italy,” Crosbie said.
Baum has visited the mansion and recalled public tours made available by the mansion’s previous owner, retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Steffee, who bought the estate in 1999.
“One time I was in a singing group and we performed at the mansion. I once went on a nighttime owl listening hunt,” Baum said.
During its boom days as an oil town during the early 1870s, Foxburg had more than 1,000 residents. Presently, less than 200 people call Foxburg home, with tourism now a vital ingredient in the borough.
“We want all visitors to feel a sense of relaxation and have a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life,” Saji Daniel said. “We want people to have a connection to the rich history, culture, its natural beauty and the incredibly friendly people.”
The couple recently renovated the historic Foxburg Inn and Foxburg Wine Cellars, located on Main Street along the Allegheny River.
The winery makes and bottles its own Pennsylvania wines, offering more than 30 varieties of wines that can be enjoyed inside or under the expansive covered patio.
Visitors looking to sip and savor the sights in Foxburg can enjoy the expansive covered patio at the winery, which offers live music on Thursdays and Sundays.
“We have plans to open additional new businesses in the next 12 months,” Saji Daniel said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect quotes from Saji Daniel.
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Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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