Dill's Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Dill's Tavern
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 227 N. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
| Built | 1755, 1800, 1820, 1835, 1910 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000195 |
| Added to NRHP | March 18, 2004 |
Dill's Tavern, also known as Eichelberger's Tavern, is a very old building in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. It started as a place where travelers could rest and get food. Over the years, it grew and changed. Today, it's a special museum where you can learn about life long ago.
Contents
What is Dill's Tavern?
Dill's Tavern is a historic building that served as a popular stop for travelers in the 1700s and 1800s. It was like a hotel and restaurant combined. The building itself is made of sandstone and has been added to several times over the centuries. It shows different styles of building from the past.
Early Beginnings
The story of Dill's Tavern began with an Irish settler named Matthew Dill. He started a community called Monaghan in 1742. This community grew to include a small wooden tavern. It was a busy place with farms and other businesses.
Who Was Matthew Dill?
Matthew Dill was an important person in the early days of Dillsburg. He helped create the first settlement in the area. His land was quite large, starting at about 190 acres and growing to 650 acres. It was located near a natural gap in the South Mountain range. This area was between what are now Cumberland County and York County.
The Tavern's First Buildings
After Matthew Dill passed away in 1742, his son, James Dill, took over the property. James continued to expand the family's businesses. Later, James's son, John Dill, built a new stone tavern in 1794. This stone building replaced the older wooden one. John also added other buildings like barns, a granary (for storing grain), a bakehouse (for baking bread), and a spring house (for keeping food cool). These additions made the tavern a much better place for travelers to stay.
Growing the Business
The tavern continued to be a busy spot for many years. It provided a place for people to rest and get supplies. It was especially important for herders and drovers who were moving livestock.
New Owners and Changes
In 1800, the property was sold to Leonard Eichelberger. He made the stone tavern much bigger, almost tripling its original size. Leonard Eichelberger also ran a business building wagons and making wheels. This meant the tavern was not just a place to stay, but also a center for important trades. The building saw more changes around 1820 and 1910. It stopped being a tavern in 1835. After that, it was a private home and even an antiques store.
Dill's Tavern Today
Dill's Tavern is now a very important historical site. It helps us understand what life was like hundreds of years ago.
A Living History Museum
In 2004, Dill's Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special place in American history. Today, the Northern York County Historical & Preservation Society owns and operates the tavern. They have turned it into a "living history museum." This means you can visit and see how people lived and worked in the past. It's a great way to experience history firsthand!
