Highway Taverns and Tavern Owners

I believe very few persons have stopped to realize that most of our major highways and even railroads were built over Indian trails.

As the settlers moved westward, it was necessary to improve the roads, and as the roads or turnpikes were built, more and more travelers used them. Large buildings along the highways were not necessarily a haven for the settlers from the Indian raids, but a rest and shelter for the weary traveler. Thus we had the birth of taverns, inns and hotels.

Not only here in the Alleghenies, but everywhere the owners of these places were interested in the construction of better roads so that they could serve more travelers. Thus for future business reasons they contributed heavily in money and materials. We have read of the building of the turnpike from Philadelphia to Lancaster; Harrisburg to Chambersburg-Bedford-Stoystown-Greensburg-Pittsburgh, also the Somerset-Bedford and Bedford-Hollidaysburg Turnpikes. When these were built, stagecoach lines were formed and freight companies were started to provide a better mode of traveling and to haul supplies, tools and even mail.

All this travel and trade increase created a demand for more places of comfort for the traveler. As a result more taverns sprang up in large numbers.

We should go back for a moment in history to state that there had been certain laws set down which governed the operation of taverns. There is in the Bedford Court House a decree—"under the Act of 1710 the Court is required to recommend to the Governor suitable persons for the license to keep inns or public houses". In pursuance of this Act, the Court of Bedford County recommended the following persons in the late 1700's to wit: Margaret Fraser, Jean Woods, Frederick Nawgel, George Funk, John Campbell, James Anderson, Andrew Bonjour, Thomas Campbell, John Miller and Samuel Paxton.

At this time all public of ficials were required to take the oath of Allegiance to George III, King of England and to renounce all allegiance to James the Pretender, son of James II.

During the early 1800's the turnpikes were in their glory. Blackburn in his History of Bedford and Somerset Counties states that "nearly every farm house along the road was a tavern." He was referring to the Glade Pike, formerly known as the Wheeling Turnpike. He states "often there were as many as fifty teams could be found at these taverns at night."

Fierce competition existed between these taverns. Each one was distinguished by its sign just as we see today. Many times these signs told their story by their distinctive design. Often travelers could not read or write however they could readily recognize the signs and thus identify a particular place of business.

As an example, a tavern known as the "White Horse" or "Black Horse" would display this colored animal on a sign board. The "Silent Woman" would display a headless woman with all her curves, bustles and ruffles. Many taverns honored the first President by displaying his portrait. Often the tavern owner had his own portrait painted on his tavern. If entertainment was available it was so published. Occasionally a traveler would be warned by an owner who believed in "temperance" and all were expected to observe his wishes.

Signs also appeared in taverns bearing numerous slogans that "no credit" could be given. Nearly every tavern had posters setting rates per night for man and beast as well as other regulations. For instance a sign would state there were to be not more than five persons in a bed, and all boots had to be removed before going to bed. The rate might be three or four pence for a bed with slightly higher rate for 'pot luck'. The same rate might be charged for a team of horses. Dogs were not allowed, especially in the kitchen. Other notices would tell the traveler that "drink is for the thirsty, food for the hungry and lodging for the weary." He might be invited to sit down at a bar, but he was warned to pay for what he ordered. Therefore by this means of advertising taverns became quite popular and the owners managed to become wealthy and very influential in their communities.

According to the 1791 records at the Court House there were many applicants for iiquor licenses. We must remember that the local Court issued licenses to areas which are now Fulton, Somerset and parts of Blair and Cambria counties. Somerset County was formed from Bedford April 17, 1795 and Fulton April 19, 1851.

There were many taverns which did not sell liquors and therefore were not required to apply for a license nor register at the Court. We are positive there were many taverns that local history has never recorded.

It seems from what I have read, the area in and around Juniata Crossings must have been almost as busy in the 1790's and early 1800's as Breezewood district is today. There were quite a few taverns licensed here. Perhaps the earliest were Abraham Martin, James Martin Senior and Junior and the Dennisons.

James Martin Sr., was a native of Wales. He began a ferry boat business on the banks of the Juniata River. This was years before the chain bridge was built. Mr. Martin became quite wealthy. Later he was appointed as one of the first associate judges of the county. James Jr. applied for a license in 1796. His business -was described as located in Providence Township at the new crossings of the Juniata. He, too, became an associate judge. He died as a result of a broken neck from a fall off of a barn beam.

Hugh Dennison was another who operated a tavern at the Crossings. The building which still stands was started by Mr. Dennison. After his death, his wife had it completed. Later the stone building became very famous. It was also known as the McGraw homestead.

It is interesting to read the manner in which the locations of the taverns were described and the way the names were spelled on the Court records. Other tavern owners east of Bedford were: "Henry Deal-Providence Township, at the Crossings, Mary Weaverling-Providence Township, near the Crossings, Peter Lanehart- Providence Township, 1/4 mile east of the Crossings where M. Lilly kept tavern. George May- Providence Township, two miles east of the Crossings at place of Patric Haggerty, formerly the 'tape' tavern. Charles Williams- Providence Township about 3/4 miles east of the Crossings. George Enslow-Providence Township about two miles east of the Crossings. Peter Morgert, about eleven miles east of Bedford on the great road to Philadelphia. Michael Barndollar- Providence Township at a place called "Bloody Run". George Beamer (he signed his name as BEYMER). He was located at the Crossings at the house lately owned by James Martin. Abraham Bussard of Providence Township, seven miles from Bedford was denied a license in 1796. William Hartley- Providence six miles below town of Bedford.

In the Bedford Village we find Margaret Frazier. The Bedford House was built in 1771 by Rev. William Smith. He was a rector of St. Peters Church in Philadelphia. Jacob Nawgel ( an attorney ) operated a very popular place during the Revolutionary war. This building is now the Altoona Federal Savings. It has a Forbes Road marker on the building. The Funk tavern was several doors west of the Nawgel tavern, and Anthony Nawgel's tavern was located opposite where Calhoun's Atlantic Gas Station is now.

Other tavern owners who held licenses were: Arthur McGaughey Jr., Henry Werth ( Wertz), who owned the Bedford Springs and the Rising Sun which was built about 1790. Thomas Anderson, Robert Spencer, William Small, James Taylor, William McDermitt who moved into Bedford in 1795. Hon. William P. Schell reported in one of his publications that William McDermitt was the pioneer in the manufacture of steel in Pennsylvania. He was a Scotsman who came to Bedford in 1783. He learned the art of steel making in his native land.

McDermitt bought a tract of land about two miles south of Bedford and named it "Caledonia". He built a long house, erected a large dam and a building to manufacture his steel.

His product was hauled to other counties by large wagons. On his return home he brought articles of merchandise. After nine years he was forced to give up this venture, thus he took over the management of the "Kings House" where President Washington was his guest while here in 1794 with his troops to quel1 the Whiskey Rebellion. Later, McDermitt moved to huntingdon where he made charcoal iron.

John White operated: tavern on the south side of Pitt street opp site the little red brick school. It is now the Shuck property. John McGaughley operated the King of Prussia Tavern.

Perhaps the most famous tavern west of Bedford was the Forks Inn, built in 1762. It was located at the junction of the Glade Pike and the Forbes Road. This inn was a stop over for stage coaches and conestoga wagons and livestock drovers. It was also a sanctuary for settlers seeking safety from Indian attacks. John Bonnett was the owner and for years it was known as the Bonnett Tavern.

Additional tavern owners west of Bedford between 1791 and 1800 were: Thomas Feree located at Bonnett's at the sign of the Indian. David Penrod and John Webster are believed to have located at the Forks area as was Isaac Bonnett. James Anderson's tavern was located ten miles west of Bedford. Valentine Wert (Wertz) had a tavern at the foot of Long Ridge, seven miles from Bedford. Derry Ryan's place was located at the foot of the Allegheny Mountain and was identified by a "Black Lion" sign. George Rife presided in a tavern ten miles from Bedford on the great road to the Glades. Duncan McVicker was in business at the foot of Long Ridge on the Glade Road. Marcus Medscar (Metzger) was thirteen miles above Bedford on Long Ridge. Peter Dider's place was at "Hughes Camp" now known as West End and Casper Statler, Jr. also at the same place. He settled here about 1790 and opened the first tavern in this community.

Tavern owners in other sections of the County were: Conrad Attleman- St. Clair Township eleven miles from Bedford on the road to Frankstown at Stephen's Mill. William Davis- Wood Berry Township about two miles from Snyder's Mill. Henry Markley- on the great road in Morrison's Cove to Frankstown. Frederick Hill- Providence Township three miles below Bedford. William Ward- Bedford Township three miles above Bedford town. James Speagus- Bedford Township on Dry Ridge. John Knisely- Bedford Township two miles from Bedford. Ephrim William St. Clair- Township eight miles from Bedford on old Penn's road from Bedford to Pittsburgh. Thomas Williams- ten miles from Bedford on great road from Bedford to Cumberland. (He had the reputation of being acquainted with the complaints of 'waggoners' and other travelers as there was no place of entertainment to relieve travelers).

The locations of the following applicants for license were not given: Adam and Joseph Acker, George Anderson, Mark Masters, Robert Means, Samuel McCashlin, Peter Miller Jr., Elas Miller, James McVicker and widow Wertz. It is possible the latter two had taverns on the Long Ridge.

In reviewing the Court records beginning in 1810 we find the names of Jason Bonnett, Robert Culmertson, Thomas Moore, James Taylor and Humphry Dillen. The latter operated the Washington House. In 1812 John Phillips, innkeeper who was located at the 'Ritchey stand' moved to the Stone house on the banks of the Hartley Dam. The records of l820 show a new applicant- one John Brice. The names of Bonnett ,Dillen and Moore were still active in Bedford. Ten years later, Brice and Dillon were still operating taverns. New applicants were Elijah Adams, Thomas Bonnett, William Clark, Henry Leader, John Riley, William Watts, Peter Schell. The latter was a merchant as well as a tanner. An odd note on Mr. Clark states he was known as "Bill" and that he was of such huge proportions that he could scarcely walk. He kept the "Rising Sun Inn" and the "Clark House".

John Brice and Dillon are the only names on the 1840 records who were previously listed. Others were William Clark Jr., Joseph W. Duncan, Samuel Walters, John Whitehead and John Young. Three new names appear in the 1850 list. They were Dan Crouse, Valentine Steckman and Charles Williamson.

The last list I have is for 1860. Three active tavern owners were John A. Corle who operated the "Washington House", Valentine Steckman at the "Union House" and H. Clay Lashley at the "Bedford House".