Crossroads Tavern (Crossroads, Virginia) facts for kids
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Crossroads Tavern
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Front of the tavern
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 692, Crossroads, Virginia |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | c. 1820 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003481 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 16, 1984 |
Crossroads Tavern, also known as Crossroads Inn, is a really old building in North Garden, Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built around 1820. This building used to be a special kind of hotel called an inn and a tavern.
A tavern was a place where travelers could eat, drink, and stay overnight. Crossroads Tavern was important because it was located on a busy road called the Staunton and James River Turnpike. This road was used by farmers and travelers moving goods and going places.
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What Was Crossroads Tavern For?
In the mid-1800s, a man named Clifton G. Sutherland owned and ran the tavern. It was a popular stop for people traveling on the turnpike. Imagine a place where you could rest after a long journey!
The tavern offered a place to sleep and a meal. It was like a rest stop and restaurant all in one. Many years later, in 1889, Daniel B. Landes bought the property. Over time, many different people owned the Crossroads Tavern.
What Does the Tavern Look Like?
Crossroads Tavern is a large brick building. It has two or three stories and was built around 1820. The building sits on a strong foundation made of brick and stone. Its roof is made of tin.
Inside, there are brick chimneys on each end of the building. The bricks on the outside are laid in a special pattern. The front of the building has a large porch on the second floor. This porch goes all the way across the front and side.
Inside the Tavern
The porch is held up by five round brick columns. The roof of the porch is supported by wooden pillars. On the ground floor, there were doors leading to the kitchen and dining room. There was also a special cellar for storing drinks.
The floors on this level were originally dirt. Later, the dining room and kitchen floors were covered with cement. The main entrance is on the second floor. It opens into a central hallway with two main rooms on each side.
Most of the inside wood, like the floors and fireplaces, is still original. This means it looks much like it did almost 200 years ago!
Other Buildings on the Property
There is also another old building on the property. It's a two-story building that used to be a summer kitchen. The bottom part is brick, and the top part is wood. It has its own brick chimney.
Today, Crossroads Tavern is no longer a simple inn for travelers. It is now operated as a bed and breakfast. This means people can still stay there overnight, but it's more like a cozy guesthouse.
Why Is It Important?
Crossroads Tavern is a very important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means the United States government recognizes it as a place worth protecting.
It is also part of the Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District. This district includes many old and important places in the area. These buildings help us understand what life was like long ago.
