AREA HISTORY:  Inns, Taverns & Hotels, York Borough, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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OLD TIME INNS OR TAVERNS, AND LATER DAY HOTELS – Page 549

Adam Miller, who was recommended to the governor by the Lancaster Court in 1741, kept the first 
public house in York.

Baltzer Spangler soon after opened a tavern, and at his place the first elections were held, at 
which the whole county voted.

There were eighteen persons licensed in 1765, to keep “public-houses of entertainment” in York.  
It will thus be learned, that at a very early date there was an abundance of them.  No attempt 
is here made to give a list of all the most important ones.  A few of the old-time taverns are 
mentioned, some of which will be remembered by the older class of our readers.

The Globe Inn and Stage Office, on South George Street near the square, was taken charge of by 
Thomas McGrath, in March, 1820.  It was first kept by Robert Hammersly.  The same building is 
now the residence of the heirs of Mr. McGrath.  Thomas McGrath subsequently removed his tavern 
to “Rupps corner” in Center Square, where he did a large and successful business.  It was the 
best hotel of its day in York.  Gen. LaFayette stopped there on his visit to York.

The Swan Tavern was located on North George Street near the bridge.  It contained eleven rooms 
for guests, and had a pump in front of the door.  For many years, it was owned by Samuel 
Weiser, and was sold by him in 1815.  In front of the tavern, on the familiar sign post, was 
the image of a swan.

Gotlieb Ziegle’s tavern on George Street was a popular inn for many years.  In April 1819, 
Clement Stillinger took charge of it and put up the sign of “Gen. Jackson.”

The Sign of the Black Horse was a substantial stone tavern which was located on the site of the 
wholesale business stand of Jacob Stair on West Market Street.  Col. Samuel Spangler was the 
first proprietor, in 1808.  John Koons succeeded in 1818, when he gave notice that he “always 
kept at command an elegant hack, gig and horses to hire.”  In 1819 Jesse Evans began to run a 
mail and passenger stage from this tavern to Oxford and Gettysburg.  Joseph Worley was next 
proprietor and Jacob Stair became his successor in April, 1823.  He kept it for a number of 
years, when it went by the name of the “Golden Sheaf Inn.”

The Union Inn was opened April 1, 1820, by Patrick McDermott.  It was located on the corner of 
George and Princess Streets.

Jacob Shultz, Sr., resumed the business of tavern-keeping at his old stand known as the “Cross 
Keys,” on the corner of Market and Water Streets, April 1, 1820.  He was followed by Thomas 
Smith.  This hotel was kept in the building now owned by Jonathan Owen.  Smith had a lumber 
yard near his hotel, and at Eib’s Landing.

Black Bear Inn, with the sign of Com. Perry, was kept from 1800 to 1820 by George Brickle.  
During the latter year Jacob Cramer became proprietor.  It was located on East Market Street.

The Golden Plough – On the 1st of April, 1820, Jacob Shultz, Jr., moved from the “Cross Keys 
Tavern” to the “Sign of the Golden Plough” in the stone house on the corner of Main and Water 
Streets.  It was used as a store by Samuel Nes, and before that by Robert Hammersly as a 
tavern.  Francis Jones built the house in 1770, and for many years afterward kept a tavern in 
it.  The building is still standing.

The Sign of the Lamb, or Peter Wilt’s Inn was located on East Market Street, opposite the 
present site of the Presbyterian Church.  In 1819 Robert Wilson advertised that “old Bob was on 
the spot at his house, opposite Wilt’s Inn.”  He said “he had cryed all his life without 
weeping.”  Wilson was one of the popular auctioneers of that day, and was the founder of the 
town of Loganville.

Sign of the Bird in Hand was a public inn on the corner of King and Beaver Streets, kept by 
Thomas McAleer as early as 1810.  He was proprietor as late as 1825.  It was a popular resort 
for Irishmen, who were about that time employed in digging canals and making turnpikes.

Sign of the Golden Sheaf was a tavern opened by George Keller, April 1, 1820.  He was followed 
by Peter Wiest, Henry Hantz and Martin Carl, and was long a popular stopping place.  This 
building is now used as a hardware store by Charles Klinefelter.

Eyster’s Hotel was built nearly a century ago, by Daniel Ragan, who married Ruth (Collins) 
Worley, widow of J. Worley, a grandson of Francis Worley, who was one of the commissioners to 
survey Springetsbury Manor in 1722, and afterward became one of the first English settlers west 
of the Susquehanna.  Ragan and his wife were strict members of the Society of Friends, and at 
the time of the “York monthly meetings” their home was a stopping place for prominent persons 
of Quaker faith, who came from a distance to attend these meetings.  In 1854 Capt. John Myers 
purchased this house and kept what was known as “Myers’ Hotel” until 1860; was succeed by 
Frederick Myers, Marshall & Smith, W. T. Williams, and Elias Eyster.  Jacob H. Bear is the 
owner, and his banking establishment is in the building.

The States Union was built in 1820, and for a long time was called the “Green Tree Tavern.”  
Charles Strine, was for many years the proprietor.  A large swinging sign, had painted on its 
center the representation of a green tree.  Few places were better known to wagoners during the 
first half of the present century than this tavern.  Farmers from a distance, who took their 
grain and produce to Philadelphia and Baltimore, brought with them, on their return, goods and 
merchandise which were unloaded and stored in a warehouse adjoining this tavern, under the 
special supervision of Mr. Strine.  In the large yard to the rear of the building, and on the 
street in front, large numbers of the “covered English bed” wagons could be seen at the close 
of each day.  Some were farmers and some regular teamsters, who wagoned as a business from 
Philadelphia and Baltimore to Pittsburgh, Wheeling, and other points along the navigable Ohio 
River.  Each wagoner had with him his “bunk” on which he slept.  In winter, this was spread out 
on the floors of the hotel, which then was full of lodgers.  In summer they slept in the wagons 
in the open air, in the barn or in the house.  The horses, as was the custom of those days, 
were compelled to endure the cold of mid-winter, by being tied to the rear or sides of the 
wagon during the night, and eat out of the “feed box,” which was a necessary appendage to every 
wagon.  If it had not been for the profits obtained from the sale of the “ardent,” and that 
possibly at 3 cents, or a “fip” a glass, one would wonder how the hotel many made any money in 
olden times.  The teamster always had with him his horse feed.  All he had to pay for was what 
he ate.  An economical teamster would go from the vicinity of York to Baltimore with a team of 
four horses, and return, after having spent only fifteen shillings.  He stopped by the wayside 
to ask the time of day, if he wished to know it, and used a hickory stick for the cane as he 
trod wearily along beside his faithful horses.  His sons, or grandsons, possibly today are 
sporting the best American lever, or swinging a gold-headed cane, as a result of their 
ancestor’s industry and economy.  The scenes and incidents here described occurred before the 
time of railroads, as it was then that the Green Tree Inn, under “mine host” Strine, was known 
far and wide.  The goods stored in his warehouse were loaded on other wagons, and conveyed 
westward to waiting merchants.  Henry Hantz became proprietor for a time, and then removed to 
Wrightsville, where he died.  Daniel Witmyer, Jacob Strine, son of the early proprietor, 
Frederick Klinefelter succeeded in order named.  Eli Kindig is now owner, and Oliver Deardorff 
proprietor.

The Motter House – Before the year 1800, Mr. Reed kept a hotel in the building now known as the 
“Motter House.”  Thomas Smith followed and was the proprietor at the time of the disastrous 
flood of 1817.  It was known as “Smith’s Tavern” until 1821, when Jacob Hantz became the owner 
and proprietor.  He died a large business for twenty-one years in succession, until 1842, when 
he became the sheriff of York County.  Michael Hoke who had just retired from the office of 
sheriff, then took charge, and was some years afterward succeeded by Charles Underwood.  It 
then came into the hands of Daniel Motter, after whom the hotel has since been called.  He died 
while there.  Israel F. Gross purchased the entire interest, and for about eighteen years did a 
prosperous business.  In 1882 it was sold to Messrs. Henry J. Gresly and Edward Smyser, when 
Mr. Landis became proprietor.  Mr. Hamme succeeded April 1, 1885.

The Pennsylvania House was first used as a private residence, and was owned by Henry Wolf.  In 
the year 1863, Eli H. Free bought it of Mr. Wolf and opened a hotel, which has since been known 
by its present name.  The next proprietor was Robert Kunkel, who, after conducting it for a 
time, sold it to the German Mannaechor of York, and in 1869 it came into the hands of the 
present owner, Frederick Hake.  It was enlarged in 1873.  In this building, some years ago, 
Barnum’s so-called “Feejee chief” died, and one of his “cannibals” forgot himself, and began to 
talk, telling the bystanders that he would not act cannibal any longer for $12 a month.

The Lafayette House, on South George Street, is a very old hotel, originally kept by Sheriff 
Andrew Duncan, who had, in 1826 and later, as a sign, a full-size representation of Gen La 
Fayette in uniform.

The Farmers’ Hotel was first opened by the present owner of the building, George W. Reever.

The Avenue Hotel was started by John Peeling in 1882.

The Central Hotel was formerly known as the “Wheatfield Inn,” for a long time kept by Daniel 
Eichelberger, and later by Charles Underwood.  It is now kept by Mr. Kohler.  The first lot 
taken up in York was the one on which this hotel stands.

Metzel’s Hotel was long known as “The Turk’s Head,” and kept by Thomas Metzel.  For many years 
it was kept by his widow.

The Ginder House, lately called the Marshall House, was originally named after Sheriff Ginder, 
who once owned it.

The St. Cloud, near the depot, has long existed with different names.

The Washington House, on East Market, has been well known to the traveling public for half a 
century.  Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Presidents Zachary Taylor and Andrew Johnson stopped at 
it.  It was formerly kept by John Koons.  For many years it was fashionable for city people 
during the summer.  James Kindig kept it for many years.  It is now kept by Mr. Wilhelm.

The National House, corner of Market and Beaver Streets, was built by Z. Durkee, and long known 
as the White Hall.  It is the largest hotel in York.  Some of its early proprietors were John 
Welsh, Daniel Ahl, Daniel Miller, Hodges, Rhinehart, Maish, and Mrs. West.  It was called “the 
Tremont House” for a time by one of its proprietors, who came from Tremont, Schuylkill County.  
When it was purchased by Frederick Stallman, its present owner, the name which it now bears was 
given it.  The great English novelist, Charles Dickens, stopped at this hotel in 1841, and said 
that he was here served with the best piece of road beef while on his visit to America.  During 
the Revolutionary war, and many years later, peter Dinkle kept a store on this site.  He was an 
ardent patriot, and furnished supplies to the army.  The following is one of his bills 
presented to the board of war:

Dr.  The State of Pennsylvania with Peter Dinkle of York Town, for Belts, Scabbards and 
Pouches, delivered to the following captains of York Co. Soldiers in the Army and Militia:

1776
April 1  To Capt. Philip Albright, Col. Miles’ Battalion     £6 4s 1d
July 12  To Capt. Charles Lukens, 1st Battalion Militia        2 18 6      
July 16  To Capt. John Wright, 1st Battalion Militia           2 18 6
July 16  To Capt. Michael Smyser, 1st Battalion Militia        1  7 8
July 22  To Capt. Samuel Nelson, 5th Bat.                      0 10 0
July 22  To Capt. George Long, 1st Bat.                        0 18 0
Aug.  8  To Capt. William McClellan, 2d Bat.                  0  4 0
July 22  To Capt. John McDonald, 1st Bat.                      4 17 1
    Amount                                                  19  17 11

The following is a receipt from one of these captains:

York, July 16, 1776.
Received of Mr. Peter Dinkle 13 shot pouches at 4s 6d per pouch, for the use of my company.
£2 18s 6d.                              John Wright,
                                        Captain.

The following relic is worthy of insertion here:

To Congress,
     Dr. To. John Kerlin for sixty-sever suppers for Captain Smyer’s Company of Malishiah on 
their way to Trenton.  Certified July 21, 1776, by 
                        Michael Schmyser,
                        Captain.