History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 143

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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Street, near the jail, which then stood at the northeast corner of George and King Streets.

The Sign of the Golden Lamb, on

The the south side of Market Street, Golden three doors east of Queen, was a popular hotel in the days of wagon- ing, and was kept by Peter Wilt, who was one the earliest persons in York to use anthracite coal as fuel. On one side of this hotel was a large yard, and to the rear, extensive stables for wagoners. One large room in Wilt's hotel was used for public entertainments and on several occa- sions theatres were held in it.

The Sign of the Golden Sheaf was a pop- ular hostelry and was opened by George Keller, April 1, 1820. This building stood at the southeast corner of Market and New- berry Streets. The original proprietor was followed in order by Peter Wiest, Henry

In an open lot adjoining, the Whigs in 1840, erected a log cabin, which became the headquarters of the Whig party during the campaign which elected Harrison president of the United States in 1840.

The Globe Inn, or McGrath's ho- Globe tel, known as the Stage Office, was Inn. a first-class public inn. About 1815 Robert Hamersly, a native of Lew- isberry, moved to York and began the hotel business in a building on South George Street, next the Colonial hotel. This build- ing had been used as a public inn for many years. During the Revolution it was the building where Samuel Adams, John Adams and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, and Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, delegates to Congress, while it sat in York, lodged. It had been rented to General Roberdeau, delegate to Congress from Pennsylvania. It was one of the most conspicuous buildings of the town, while York was the capital of the United States.

The Swan Tavern stood on North The George Street, near the bridge Swan. across the Codorus. It was a pop- ular stopping place for teamsters and people from the country as early as 1800. On a swinging wooden sign, sus- pended from a tall post, was painted in gold In 1819 Robert Hamersly had the special honor of entertaining General Andrew Jack- son, who arrived here from Washington with a train of military attendants, on the way to West Point. color the representation of a swan swim- ming in the water. Samuel Weiser owned this hotel for a dozen years or more, and in 1815 sold the property. In his advertise- ment the owner stated that he had " eleven In 1820 Robert Hamersly moved his hotel rooms for guests and a pump in front of the and stage office to the southwest corner of

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Centre Square, and in March of that year, succeeded by Charles M. Wilhelm, who car- Thomas McGrath became the proprietor of ried on the business until the property was sold to the estate of David E. Small in this popular inn. It was then the only first- class hotel in the borough and was patron- 1889. ized by prominent people who came to town.

The Washington House was the head- In 1822 several Indian chiefs, on their way quarters of the Whig Party during the to Washington, stopped for the night at palmy days of that organization. Henry this place. It was during this year that Clay, while on a visit to York in 1836, de- Thomas McGrath advertised that he owned livered a speech from the balcony of the ho- a "large and elegant three-story brick building, southwest corner Market Square. Passengers from Public Stage promptly at- tended to."

tel, and afterwards held a reception in the parlor. The other distinguished guests at this hotel were Daniel Webster, in 1844; President Zachary Taylor, in 1849, and President Andrew Johnson, General Grant and Admiral Farragut, in 1866.

It was at this hotel that passengers over stage routes between Baltimore and Harris- burg, or Philadelphia, Lancaster and the The Sign of the Black Horse was The a substantial stone tavern, which west, stopped for dinner or lodged for the night. Public dances and other entertain- Black stood on the site of the wholesale business stand of Jacob Stair on West Market Street. Col. Samuel ments were often given in honor of noted Horse. travelers who stopped here. One of the most distinguished men that ever visited Spangler was the first proprietor, in 1808. York stopped at McGrath's hotel. January 29. 1825. That great man was General Lafayette, who was then making a tour of the United States as the guest of the nation.

Thomas McGrath continued to keep this hotel for many years, and for a long time it was the most popular place of entertain- ment for the traveling public in York. Mc- Grath was an ardent Democrat and this ho- tel was the Democratic headquarters for the town and county of York.

The Washington House, Washington House. which stood on East Market Street, on the site of the Small mercantile building was first used as a hotel in 1818. John Koons was the first proprietor and conducted it as a popular hotel for many years. He was succeeded by his daughter, Charlotte Eck. Although the property still belonged to the Ecks, or the Koons estate, John Miller took charge of the house after Eck had success- fully conducted it for a long time, and later

John Koons succeeded in 1818, when he gave notice that he "always kept at com- mand 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 Stoehr be- came 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 stood on the cor- ner of George and Princess Streets.

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

Philip Gossler, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, opened a hotel in 1785 on West Mar- ket Street, near Beaver. It was a popular Theodore Trumbo went in with Mr. Miller. resort for the traveling public and for the and together Trumbo and Miller catered to the wants of the public until Mr. Lawrence took charge, who was in turn succeeded by William L. Keech. citizens of York, more than a hundred years ago. Many of the soldiers who had fought under Washington and Lafayette in the Revolution, stopped here and discussed the scenes and incidents of their own experi- ences in the army. Gossler had evidently - ter written to a firm in Philadelphia, will be

Captain E. Z. Strine purchased the prop- erty from Mrs. Eck after the death of her husband. Soon afterward James Kendig be- built up a large trade. The following let- came the owner of the property and con- ducted therein a first-class hotel. He was read with interest :

799

THE CITY OF YORK

York, Oct. 4, 1789.

Gentlemen :

I received your letter on the 29th last month and am sorry you so far misunderstood me in my last as to send cases of Claret instead of a barrel. My reason for writing to you for a barrel of Claret was: about two weeks before, I had bought a barrel of excellent claret, from a common retailer in this place for 3 shillings 9 pence per gallon, which I retailed at 2 shillings per bot- tle, the exceeding good quality of the liquor, added to its cheapness, brought me a good run of genteel cus- tomers, which induced me to write to you in expectation you could supply me with equally as good, at as low a rate at least as I bought here-being so greatly disap- pointed, I am under the necessity of not receiving the boxes, as they will by no means answer, am exceedingly unhappy for the mistake, and am, gentlemen, your very Humble Servant,

PHILIP GOSSLER.

Gossler kept this tavern in 1798 and dur- ing the disturbances between the United States and France it looked as though these two countries would go to war. Washing- ton, who had just retired from the presi- dency, was asked to take command of the army. During these exciting times, Philip Gossler one day recruited forty men, whose number was enlarged to nearly 100 men a few days later. They had all volunteered to enter the army under the leadership of Washington, but through the influence of John Adams, who was president, and John Jay, who was minister to France, war was averted. Captain Gossler continued to drill his company, which was known as the Light Infantry. In 1800 he and his men had the honor of escorting President . John Adams from York to Washington, to take up his residence in the White House, at the Na- tional capital. In 1814 the property in which the Gossler tavern was kept was pur- chased by the York bank, which was founded in that year .

the last 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 supervision of Charles Strine. In the yard to the rear of the building, and on the street in front, large numbers of covered wagons could be seen at the close of each day. Some farmers and regular teamsters in those days wagoned as a business from Phil- adelphia and Baltimore to Pittsburg, Wheeling and other points along the navi- gable Ohio river. Each wagoner had with him his " bunk " on which he slept. In win- ter this was spread out on the floors of the hotel, which was then full of lodgers. In the summer they slept in their wagons in the open air, in the barn or in the house. Their horses were tied to the rear or sides of the wagon during the night, and ate out of the " feed box," a necessary appendage to every wagon. The teamster had with him feed for his horses. All he had to buy was what he ate. An economical teamster would go from York to Baltimore with a team of four horses and return after having spent only fifteen shillings or about $2 in Pennsylvania money. He stopped by the wayside to ask the time of day, if he wished to know it, and used a hickory stick for a cane, as he trod beside his faithful horses.

The scenes and incidents here described occurred before the time of railroads, for it was then that the Green Tree Inn, under Charles Strine, was known far and wide. The goods stored in his warehouse were

The Green Tree, later known as loaded on other wagons and conveyed west-

The States Union, was one of the fa- ward to waiting merchants. Henry Hantz Green mous hostelries of York during the Tree. early days of wagoning to the west and south. It stood upon the site of the City hotel on West Market Street, be- tween Newberry and Penn Streets. This hotel was opened in 1820.

The best known proprietor was Charles Strine, who conducted it for many years. On one side of the sign, which hung on a post in front of the tavern, was the painting of a green tree. On the other side was a

became proprietor for a time, and then re- moved to Wrightsville, where he died. Daniel Witmyer, Jacob Strine, son of the early proprietor, and Frederick Klinefelter succeeded in order named. Eli Kindig was the last owner and Oliver Deardorf the last to keep the hotel.

In 1887, Eli Kindig removed the old States Union and upon the same site erected. a first-class hotel building with all modern conveniences. The entire hotel property was team of six horses, drawing a large Cone- purchased in 1901 by Joseph A. Ocker, who stoga wagon. Few places were better then became owner and proprietor of the known to wagoners during the first half of City hotel.

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HISTORY. OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The

In a building which stood on the site of the American House,

American. Daniel Ragan and his wife, Reever. members of the Society of Friends, resided as early as 1820. The Civil War began. A private dwelling had large building which Daniel Ragan owned was a noted stopping place for Quakers when they came to York to attend the Quarterly meetings, held in the old meet- ing house on West Philadelphia Street. Daniel Ragan married Ruth (Collins) Wor- ley, whose first husband was a grandson of Francis Worley, one of the earliest sur-

stood on this corner for many years previ- ously. This hotel received a large patron- age under Mr. Reever, who was owner and proprietor until 1876, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, Frank H. Reever, who continued the business until 1900, when he sold the property to Edward C. Peeling. From 1902 to 1905 Mr. Peeling was sheriff veyors west of the Susquehanna. Francis of York County, during which time the Worley was the surveyor for the Penns and hotel was conducted by his son-in-law, assisted in laying off Springettsbury Manor George W. Minnich. in the year 1722.

In 1854 Captain John Myers bought the Ragan property and opened a licensed hotel which soon became a prominent stopping place for people residing west of York, in York and Adams counties. He kept this hotel until the year 1860, and was succeeded in order by Frederick Myers, Marshall & Smith, W. T. Williams and Elias Eyster. Jacob H. Baer owned the property for many years and had his banking house in the west- ern end of it. He sold the property to Henry M. Berry, who also carried on the hotel business for several years. C. B. Lan- dis purchased this property in 1894, when he became the owner and proprietor.

The Lafayette Hotel. on South The George Street, has always been Lafayette. a prominent stopping place for farmers. Andrew Duncan, a popular citizen, who was elected sheriff of York County in 1830, began keeping a hotel in this building in the year 1826. One year before this General Lafayette paid his last visit to the United States and in February, 1825, stopped at York, remaining one night at McGrath's tavern in Centre Square. When Duncan opened this hotel he painted on the sign facing South George Street, in uniform. Since Duncan retired from the hotel business, there have been different owners and proprietors. Edward C. Peel- `ing owned the hotel for several years, having purchased it from the Leber es- tate. He was succeeded in the owner- ship of this property by C. B. Landis and James C. Peeling, who purchased it in 1892.

The

The Reever House, at the south- east corner of George and King Streets, was opened by George W. Reever in 1861, the year the

The Central Hotel, on East Mar-

Central.

The ket Street, opposite the Court House, stands on the site of one of the first taverns licensed in the town of York. It was owned and kept for the benefit of the traveling public, from 1773 to 1789 by Captain Andrew Johnston, first post- master of York. It was known as the Black Bear Inn and was a popular resort during the Revolution. George Brickle kept this tav- ern from 1800 to 1820, when Jacob Craumer became proprietor. Clement Stillinger, a leading Democratic politician, took charge of the hotel in 1823, and called it the Sign of General Jackson, placing a portrait of the hero of New Orleans on a swinging sign in front of the tavern. It continued to bear that name for a long time, and received a large patronage. Several years before the opening of the Civil War, Daniel Eichelber- ger became the proprietor. The painting of Andrew Jackson became faded; it was re- moved and on the sign was painted a sheaf of golden wheat, with the representation of a field of uncut grain in the background. This sign remained for twenty years or more, during which time Charles Under- wood, and later Captain Murray S. Cross, who won a record as a soldier in command

a life-size portrait of General Lafayette, of Company C, 87th Pennsylvania Regi-

ment, in the Civil War, were proprietors. Since 1870, this landmark has been known as the Central Hotel, and was recently pur- chased by the York Trust Company.

Hotel York, on Market Street, a

Hotel few doors west of the Court House,

York. has been the site of a hotel since 1800. Philip Waltemyer, during the early part of last century kept a tavern

80I

THE CITY OF YORK

here under the name of "Cross Keys." called. Israel F. Gross purchased the en- When Thomas Metzel became the proprie- tire interest, and for about eighteen years tor some time before the Civil War, he did a prosperous business. In 1882 it was placed on the sign a Turk's head, and for many years it was known as the "Turk's Head Tavern." After the death of Thomas

sold to Henry J. Gresly and Edward Smy- ser, when Mr. Landis became proprietor. Mr. Hamme succeeded April, 1885. George Metzel, his widow carried on the hotel for F. Bortner was proprietor in 1905.

twenty years or more. Under her manage- Hotel Penn, on the corner of Phil- adelphia and George Streets, was first used as a private house and was owned by Henry Wolf. In the ment, it was always popular because of the Hotel excellent meals furnished to boarders and Penn. guests. When General Early came to York in command of 9,000 Confederate soldiers year 1863 Eli H. Free bought it from Mr. and took possession of the town, June 28, Wolf and opened a hotel, which was known 1863, he had his headquarters in the Court as the Pennsylvania House from that date House, but he lodged and took his meals until 1903. The next proprietor was Robert at the house kept by Mrs. Metzel, which Kunkel, who, after conducting it for a time for a third of a century was known as the sold it to the German Mannaechor of York, and in 1869 it was purchased by Frederick Metzel House. After Mrs. Metzel's retire- ment from the hotel business Otto Guecke Hake. It was enlarged in 1873. In this became the proprietor of this hotel which has since been known as the Hotel York. In 1893, William Reigart purchased the property and in the fall of 1903 sold it to Nelson McSherry, who then became owner and proprietor.

building, in 1875, Barnum's so-called " Fee Jee 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. In 1903 the owner of this property, Mr. Hake, removed the old building and erected a four-story structure, containing one hundred and fifty

Daniel Ginder was elected sher- Marshall House. iff of York County in 1846, and after the expiration of his term rooms for guests. All the apartments were of office, opened a hotel in the fitted up with modern furniture and new building next door west of the Court House. carpets placed on the floors, adapting it for During his management and for many years the purposes of a first-class hotel. It was later it was known as the Ginder House. opened in October, 1903.

The property was then purchased by Logan A. Marshall and was known as the Marshall House until 1905 when it was changed to National.

The site of the National Hotel

The was known for more than half a century as Dinkel's corner. At this place during the Revolution and for several years before and after, Peter Dinkel conducted a general store. He was

the Baughman House. On the same site of this hotel, as far back as 1810 a tavern was kept and was called the " Black Horse." Before the year 1800 John Reed a man of attainments and was identified

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 did a large business for twenty-one years in succession, until 1842, when he be- came the sheriff of York County. Michael Hoke, who had just retired from the office

kept a hotel in the building after- with public affairs in and around York

wards known as the Motter House. throughout his whole business career. During the Revolution he contributed money and equipments for some of the sol- diers who left York to join the patriot army.

In the year 1828 Ziba Durkee, a native of Vermont, purchased this corner and erected a three-story building of the same length and breadth as the present National Hotel. Some of the conservative people of of sheriff, then took charge and was after- York pronounced Ziba Durkee's enterprise a lavish expenditure of money. There seemed, however, to be a need of a new ho- tel, well conducted, in the borough, and the

ward succeeded by Charles Underwood. It then came into the possession of Captain Daniel Motter, a noted commander of mi- litia, after whom the hotel has since been original proprietor prospered in the busi-

802

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ness. He was a brother of Daniel Durkee, a successful experience as a hotel keeper, who served as president judge of the Courts became the proprietor. He refurnished the rooms and made numerous improvements.

of York County from 1835 to 1845. A tall pole stood at the street corner. From its top an elliptical shield was hung on which Colonial. was painted the words, " White Hall," the name of the hotel.

The most notable guests at the White Hall tavern during its whole history came in the spring of 1842. This was Charles Dickens, who was accompanied by his wife. The great novelist was then making a tour of the United States. He came from Bal-

The officers and directors of the company timore to York on the railroad which had in 1907 were James A. Dale, president ; Ellis been finished three years before. On the S. Lewis, secretary and treasurer; J. W. following day Mr. Dickens and his wife Steacy, J. A. Dempwolf, Ellis S. Lewis and went to Harrisburg on the stage driven by W. H. Lanius, directors.

Samuel Stubbins, a noted stage driver, later The company has purchased the McGrath an employee of the firm of P. A. & S .Small. property adjoining on the south, and has

In his American notes, written after his return to England, Mr. Dickens stated that the best beef steak he had eaten in Amer- ica was prepared for his breakfast at the White Hall hotel in York.

After Ziba Durkee retired from the hotel there were a number of successors, includ- ing John Welsh, Daniel Ahl and David Miller. John R. Donnell, a noted Demo-

The mercantile interests of York have cratic politician, owned the hotel when it been prominent since the time of the Rev- was called the Tremont House. Sometime olution. In 1800 there were thirty stores before the Civil War, Frederick Stallman in the borough. At this early period most owned the hotel and changed its name to of these establishments conducted a general the National House. John R. Donnell con- merchandising business. Hardware stores ducted the hotel business during the war. were founded as early as 1820. Grocery In 1863 Mr. Stallman superintended the stores were quite numerous at that time.

construction of Masonic Hall, adjoining the National on the north, and the same year renovated the hotel. He added one story and an observatory to it, and placed bal- conies on the sides facing Beaver and Mar- ket Streets. In 1865 Mrs. West, from Tow- extensive business.

son, Maryland, became proprietress of the hotel and during the summer months she entertained a large number of guests from the south.

The Colonial Hotel, in Centre Square, was erected by the York Hotel Company, which was or- ganized June 5, 1890. The site upon which this hotel stands was known for nearly half a century as Tyler's corner. A commodious esven-story building was erected and opened for use in August, 1893, with the dining hall on the top floor.

nearly completed arangements for the erec- tion of the building to extend to Mason Alley. When the building is thus enlarged it will contain 190 rooms, sixty bath rooms, making one of the finest hotels in central or southern Pennsylvania.

MERCANTILE INTERESTS.

Dry goods stores of considerable import- ance existed as early as 1783. The large mercantile establishments, known as the de- partment stores, are of more recent origin. Several stores of this kind now conduct an

PETER WIEST, who founded the large establishment which bears his name, began the mercantile business in an humble way in the Borough of Dover in 1841. In his

Orlanda Gray was the next owner of the youth he displayed business acumen and hotel property and also kept it for several prospered with the store he conducted in years when he sold it to Daniel Rupp and his native village. Thinking a larger town would afford him better opportunities, he packed up his goods and prepared to move them to York. This occurred in midwinter of 1843. During the night after he had Alexander K. Frey. In 1904 Edwin T. Moul purchased the property from the heirs of the former owners, and made many im- portant improvements. F. T. Metzgar con- ducted the hotel business here for a period boxed up his goods snow fell to the depth of fifteen years. He was succeeded by W. of twenty inches, and a fire broke out in A. Riest. In 1905 A. F. Rowe, who has had Dover, burning several buildings and all the

Peter hest

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THE CITY OF YORK

goods and merchandise owned by Peter tensive business, was born in Jackson Wiest. He was then left without anything Township, in 1817. His grandfather, John except a reputation for energy and a capac- Wiest, came to America from the Palatinate ity for business. He was undaunted by along the Rhine River, in Germany, in 1757. his misfortune so he moved to York and and landed in Philadelphia. Soon after- opened a small store on West Market terward he migrated westward and took up Street. Here he soon built up an extensive a tract of land within the present area of trade, not only among his friends and Jackson Township. He was cultivating this neighbors in the town, but many customers farm in 1776 when he entered the military from the country west and northwest of York, came to buy his goods. By close ap- plication to business he built up a large trade and became one of the leading dry goods merchants of York. service in a company commanded by Cap- tain Jacob Ament, and served as a soldier during the American Revolution. After the war he returned to his home and at his death, his son, John Wiest, succeeded as the owner of the paternal estate. It was on this farm that Peter Wiest grew to man-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 143

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372