History & local legend
The Applebutter Inn near Slippery Rock began as a six-room farmhouse built by Michael Christley in 1844. His family lived there, followed by the family of Plenty Weston Steele. When the house became an inn, local tradition identified both former owners as continuing presences.
Members of an online group called GhostChatter held a séance there and called the men by name. Reporter Paul Paterra described the attempt in a 2008 interview with owner Buzz Volchko. Despite the setting and its associations, the group reported no response from either man.
The house retained physical reminders of its earlier life, including an exposed brick hearth, chestnut and poplar flooring, and bricks made on the property.
Sources
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Paul Paterra interviews owner Buzz Volchko and reports the GhostChatter séance, March 16, 2008
- Applebutter Inn, archived early operator’s history and interiors
- Applebutter Inn, current owner’s farm history and 1987 restoration
- Experience Butler County, Applebutter Inn and street location
- Esri, farmhouse address point
