 |
Newcomer's Tavern (closed)
Formerly/Also Known As Stage Coach Inn, White Swan Inn
16628 National Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21740Now a private residence.
From Searight's The Old Pike (1894):
Four and a half miles west of Hagerstown, an old wagon stand was kept by David Newcomer. It was a stone house, on the north side of the road. Newcomer furnished good entertainment, and was well favored with customers, mostly wagoners. He was a Quaker, and a money maker. He dealt in horses, in addition to tavern keeping. When offering a horse for sale, his wife was accustomed to say in the hearing of the person proposing to buy: 'Now, David, thee must not sell that favorite horse.' This, old wagoners say, was a 'set-up job' between David and his spouse to gain a good price. Newcomer was the owner of the property, and as the house was of stone, is probably standing yet; but the ring of the old pike has gone from it long since.
From the Maryland Historical Trust:
This house is significant primarily for its use as a tavern along the Hagerstown and Conococheague Turnpike which became part of the National Pike. As a tavern and inn, it achieves significance for its contribution to commerce and transportation in Washington County. The structure, although greatly altered, derives significance from its architecture. The property is also important for its association with Major Martin Kershner, a member of a prominent Washington County family.
In deeds referring to this property, the structure is described as Newcomer's Tavern Stand. David H. Newcomer purchased part of the tavern property from Andrew Kershner in 1843. Newcomer owned the property until 1868. During that time, presumably the structure was in use as a tavern, serving traffic on the Turnpike and the National Pike. It is also said to have been operated as the 'White Swan Inn' during the early twentieth century. No information has been found to suggest whether or not the Kershner family operated a tavern on the property prior to Newcomer ownership.
Although altered, the house is worthy of note as an example in Washington County's stone architecture from the early nineteenth century. An exact building date for the structure has not been found, but its appearance suggests a construction date during the first third of the nineteenth century. The owner said that the house was built in 1812.
Finally, the structure is significant for its association with Martin Kershner who patented 'Rocky Spring', the 1125 acre tract on which the house stands, in 1800. Major Martin Kershner, who died in 1817 had been a member of the Legislature and Justice of the Peace.
View user comments below.
|
 |
|
Newcomers Tavern, ca. 1975. Photo: Maryland Historical Trust
|
No comments have been posted.
Feedback: Do you have corrections or contributions for this page? Want to make a suggestion? Click here to send me an e-mail. I am espcially interested in memories, stories, postcards and photographs. Thanks!
Last updated: 2014-04-05 16:30:55 |
|
|
|
|
