In 1912, Russian immigrant Thomas Krylov boarded a ship for America with only $5. He left behind his beloved Exupoxia to start a new life in a new world.

Born in 1888, the now Thomas Krelow traveled a new land doing odd jobs and saving every penny he could for passage for his wife. Finally, in 1913, he sent for her and she became Francis Krelow.

Together they embarked on a journey that would take them across this great country and back. Francis bore Tom's children in Colorado and Wino, Pa.

Tom and Francis finally settled in Cheswick and opened a grocery store. The year was 1929, and just as Tom was getting quite comfortable with his success, a coal miners' strike took place and he lost his store.

He could hold on no longer. Farmland was cheap in Butler County and a trade was arranged. Tom, Francis and children were relocated to Butler County in 1929.

The farm was flourishing and the children were healthy, but tragedy struck again. Their barn caught on fire and they lost the barn, the house — everything.

The family pulled together again. While the children slept in tents, Tom borrowed a sawmill and began building a small house.

The year was 1933, the farming continued, but Tom had a bigger dream. He contracted to build a new hotel. The grand opening of the Hotel Beacon was in 1942.

Daughter Mary tended bar, orchestras played, and times were grand, but success was short-lived. Gas rations forced the lounge to close.

A group of fliers training pilots for the war rented the lounge and it was reopened as the Fliers Club for two years.

In the meantime, Tom's son, Nick, had returned from the war in 1945 to find the lounge reopened and doing well.

While attending the University of Pittsburgh, Nick fell in love with a hometown girl, Julie Dano. She married Nick in 1951.

Times were better. Nick was promoted to district manager of Standard Oil. However, it required he relocate, so he and his bride moved to Chicago.

The perfect family came. Nick Jr. was born in 1953, Suzette was born and then John. By 1958, Tom and Francis were getting older, their daughters were getting married and living their own lives. Tom wanted his only remaining son home.

At his request, Nick, Julie and the children came back to Pennsylvania.

When Francis died in 1961, Nick began to assist his father to run the Hotel Beacon. On Jan. 6, 1976, Tom, also known as "Pop" or "Uncle Tom," died in the place he loved best, the Hotel Beacon.

Julie surprised Nick with a fourth child, Gregory. The apple of his father's eye, Greg followed his father throughout the renovation of the bar and the addition of a huge kitchen.

A young man, Greg lost his father in 1986. It was a struggle farming all day and tending bar until the wee hours of the morning.

In 1991. Greg met Debra Byers, who two years later he married.

A fourth generation Krelow was born April 14, 1994 — Nicklas Thomas Krelow III. Greg then decided to fulfill his father's dream and put that huge, beautiful kitchen to use.

On Christmas Eve 1994, renovation of the Old Hotel began again. Tom's old bar was dusted off and put back into place; the booths were re-upholstered and carpet was laid.

The grand reopening of the Hotel Beacon was March 6, 1995. A new look, a new generation and hope for the future has long been the Krelow way!

And speaking of new generations on Jan. 28, 1997, weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz., Chandler Mae Frances made her debut.

Stop in. See what we've done, what we are doing. Relive old memories and make new ones. We'll be glad to have you.