Philadelphia County PA Archives History .....Garman House (The Blue Anchor Inn In Philadelphia)  
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Garman flouse, M. B. Garman, Proprietor, Front and Dock Streets.-"A petition 
was presented by several of the most considerable inhabitants of the Town, 
praying that the Blue Anchor Inn be made a public landing place. that being 
the inducing reason to settle the Town where it now is." The foregoing extract 
from the records of the town council of June 4, A.D. 1700, places the 'Blue 
Anchor Inn " and its site in an important light, and makes its history and 
traditions of more than passing interest. The old inn, about which so much 
interest clusters, not only as the landing-place of Penn, but as the "inducing 
reason " for the location of the city of Philadelphia on its present site, 
stood on the north-west corner of Front and Dock streets. It was what would 
now be called a one and one-half story house, 12 x 22 feet in dimensions, with 
a kitchen at the rear, surmounted by high gables running up to a lofty comb so 
sharp as to split a raindrop. The building was constructed of strong 
framework, filled in with small bricks brought over in the first vessel of the 
original colonists. The first proprietor, George Guest, was a Quaker, and he 
had the honor of administering to the wants of William Penn on the occasion of 
his first landing in this city some two hundred years ago. It subsequently 
passed successively through the hands of various proprietors until 1726, when 
the original title was dropped and up to 1784 it was known as the "Boatswain 
and Call."' At the latter date the old building was torn down and the solid 
structure now known as Garman's hotel and restaurant was built over its site. 
For a time thereafter it was conducted as a sort of gilt-edged hotel, under 
the name of the Baltimore House, the landing of the Baltimore packets at the 
foot of the street probably suggesting the title. Still later it was known a 
as the Golden Swan, under which title it was conducted for nearly half a 
century. In 1873 the present proprietor, Mr. M. B. Garman, took possession, 
refitted and refurnished the old house, and it became known as Garman's Hotel. 
Mr. Garman recently purchased the property. In its present status the house 
constitutes one of the most popular hostelries in this section of the city. It 
contains twenty-five well appointed sleeping rooms and is furnished throughout 
in the best manner. A feature of the establishment is the commodious and well-
conducted restaurant on the European plan, where may be obtained all the 
substantials and delicacies of the season, cooked and served in an 
unexceptionable style. The house enjoys a large and liberal patronage, and its 
restaurant has long been a favorite lunching place among the many business men 
located in this vicinity. 'Mine host' Garman is a native of this State and a 
gentleman in every way admirably qualified for his business. During his 
proprietorship he has reared a large and prosperous patronage, and is 
generally considered as one of the few men who "know how to run a hotel." 

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