Compass Inn facts for kids
The Compass Inn is a special old building in Laughlintown, Pennsylvania. It used to be a place where travelers could stop and rest. Imagine a hotel and restaurant all in one, but from a very long time ago! Today, it is a museum where you can learn about life in the past.
What is the Compass Inn?
The Compass Inn is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made from a mix of logs and stone. It looks like a classic old American building. The very first part of the inn was built way back in 1799. This original part was three sections wide. Later, around the 1820s, two more stone sections were added. In 1862, a wooden section was also built onto the inn.
A Look Back in Time
Inns like the Compass Inn were very important long ago. They were places for people traveling by horse or wagon to stop. Travelers could get a meal, a bed for the night, and fresh horses. The Compass Inn was on a busy road, so many people passed through its doors. It was like a rest stop and community center all rolled into one.
The Inn as a Museum Today
The Compass Inn was carefully fixed up in 1970. Since then, it has been open as a local history museum. When you visit, you can see what life was like for travelers and innkeepers. The property also has other old buildings. There is a barn that was rebuilt to look like the original. You can also see a blacksmith shop. A blacksmith was a person who made and fixed things out of metal.
A Historic Landmark
The Compass Inn is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on February 24, 1995. Being on this list means it is a special place that should be protected. It helps us remember history. You might even recognize parts of the inn from a movie! Some scenes for the film The Pale Blue Eye were filmed right there at the inn.