The "Seven Historic Watering Holes In Lancaster County" Story

The Stockyard Inn

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with my son, Tad, about his favorite place to visit for a great meal.  Took him all but a few seconds to come up with his favorite; The Stockyard Inn at the corner of Keller Ave. and the Lititz Pike (State Rt. 501) in Manheim Township.  The building was the original farmhouse that was built on the corner in 1750.  It stood on the northeast border of colonial Lancaster and had a lookout tower that was used to scout for hostile Native Americans.  It has seen a few owners in its lifetime, but perhaps the most famous was James Buchanan who purchased the property in 1856, the year before he became the President of the United States.   The Lancaster Stockyards was the largest stockyard east of Chicago and the cattlemen who arrived at the stockyards found the Stockyard Inn to be a great place to find food and shelter.  In 1952 James Fournaris purchased the Stockyard Inn and reinvented the venue into the upscale steakhouse it is today.  

The Black Knight Tavern & Grill

It is one of the oldest and most historic taverns and watering holes in Lancaster.  Another famous watering hole is The Black Knight Tavern & Grill which is located at 335 Main Street in Landisville, Pennsylvania.  It was built in 1875 and was originally a hotel that was located along the then-busy Old Harrisburg Turnpike.  At one time it was known as Gatsby's on Main before changing names in 2005.  If you visit at night you may be able to see one of the two ghosts that are said to have been spotted from time to time at the Tavern.  

The Catacombs at Bube's Brewery.

This is one of my favorite watering holes.  Another rather unusual watering hole has a rather unusual name; Bube's Brewery.  A few years ago Carol and I had a great meal in the catacombs which are beneath the brewery.  The building was built in 1860 and didn't gain the name of Bube's until about 1876.  Brewing was not done at the catacombs from 1917 until 2001.  The original oak bar can be found in the ornate Victorian room.  Part of the complex was an adjoining hotel that was said to have had the first flush toilet in nearby Mount Joy, Pennsylvainia.  

The Conestoga Inn

A former student of mine is one of the owners of another watering hole on the east side of Lancaster at 1501 E. King Street.  The Conestoga Inn was built in 1741, but is now known as the Conestoga Restaurant, since the Inn part of the property has not been opened after the nearby Conestoga River flooded the inn.  A good watering hole on the east end of town along what at one time was the main road between Philadelphia and the Susquehanna River to the west.  

The Bulls Head Public House at the General Sutter.

In 1764 the Zum Anker was erected in the small town known as Lititz which is to the north of the city of Lancaster.  It is located at the intersection of Main and Broad, which is one of the main routes leading north from Lancaster.  The Zum Anker is an Inn with a watering hole known The Bulls Head Public House as part of the building.  The Zum Anchor eventually became the Lititz Springs Hotel and then changed names once again in 1930 when it was known as The General Sutter Inn named after John Augustus Sutter who was a California gold rush pioneer.  I should mention that the watering hole, The Bulls Head Pub, has been named the best bar in America.  

The Revere Tavern House

Quite impressive!  In nearby Paradise, located to the east of Lancaster, is the watering hole known as the Revere Tavern.  It was built in 1740 and was known as a "Stage Tavern" which catered to those travelers that were following the Lancaster Turnpike from Philadelphia to points west.  It too was at one time owned by President James Buchanan.  Starting to get the idea that President Buchanan enjoyed watering holes.  The building at one time was the parsonage for President Buchanan's brother, The Rev. Edward Buchanan and his wife Eliza Foster Buchanan.  Mrs. Buchanan was the sister of musician Stephen Foster who wrote the song "Oh Susannah!" while visiting his sister along the Pequea Creek.  

Shank's Tavern in Marietta, Pennsylvania.

The final historical watering Hoel in Lancaster and surrounding area I have never had the chance to visit.  It is known as Shank's Tavern and is in nearby Marietta, Pennsylvania.  It was built in 1814 and was originally known as The Square and Compass Tavern.  It is the oldest continuously operating tavern in Lancaster County.  Even operated during Prohibition as a speakeasy.  The original tile floor and fireplace are all original. One of the biggest differences was removing the wall that separated the "ladies area" from the main bar. in 1954.  The tavern is well known as having the first Taco Night and sushi in Lancaster County.  If you ever get the chance to visit Lancaster or happen to live in Lancaster County, make a visit to one of these historical watering holes.  I'm sure the stories will fly as the drinks go down.  it was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.