Old Stone Tavern (Pittsburgh)

The Old Stone Tavern (also called Elliott's, Coates Tavern, and the Old Stone Inn) is a historic building located at 434 Greentree Road, block and number 19-S-156, in the West End Village neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Tavern dates back to at least 1782, and more likely 1777.

Old Stone Tavern
Location434 Greentree Road (West End), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates40.435039°N 80.034167°W / 40.435039; -80.034167
Built/foundedcirca 1782
CPHD designatedOctober 6, 2009[1]

History

A datestone of 1752 is on the building. However, local architectural historians have argued it was built circa 1782,[2] shortly after the American Revolution, by Daniel Elliott, who served in the war.

An account ledger from the Tavern exists at the Main branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh dated from 1793 to 1797.[3][4]

The Tavern was continuously operated as a restaurant or bar (except during Prohibition when it was a "confectionery store" with a speakeasy being operated out of the basement) until 2009.[5][6]

The Tavern is located at a bend in what was the historic Washington and Pittsburgh Turnpike, a toll road connecting Pittsburgh to Washington County and the National Road (Route 40).[7] It is believed to have served as a toll house and frontier trading post and likely played a role in the Whiskey Rebellion, the late 18th century uprising against a federal excise tax on liquor,[8] that ended with the implementation of martial law.[9] "John Woods was in the tavern and used the owners' ferry the night before the raid on John Neville's estate" (July 16, 1794).[3] Moreover, the ledger contains over 89 names connected with the Whiskey Rebellion as well as 109 veterans of the American Revolution and 16 men who would serve in the War of 1812.[10]

The Old Stone Tavern was added to the List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations on October 6, 2009.[1][11][12]

Pittsburgh's Old Stone Tavern Friends Trust incorporated in December 2013 with the mission statement "To secure Pittsburgh's Old Stone Tavern and its property, provide for its long term preservation, and educate the public regarding its significance in United States History".

References
  1. "Local Historic Designations". Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  2. Historic Nomination Form filed with the City of Pittsburgh on February 4, 2009
  3. Diana Nelson Jones, "Old Stone Inn is oldest commercial building in the city, the 1793 accounts ledger indicates", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sunday, May 03, 2009.
  4. POST Friends Trust, Inc. Tavern Ledger in the Carnegie Library Oliver Room http://postfriendstrust.org/oliver-room-ledger-visit/
  5. http://www.popcitymedia.com/devnews/oldstonetavern 1014.aspx
  6. Minutes of the meeting held March 4, 2009, before the Historic Review Commission of Pittsburgh.
  7. Historic Nomination Form filed with the City of Pittsburgh on February 4, 2009.
  8. http://www.phlf.org/2010/07/12/historic-old-stone-tavern-in-pittsburghs-west-end-awaits-new-life/
  9. Historic Old Stone Tavern in Pittsburgh’s West End Awaits New Life http://www.phlf.org/2010/07/12/historic-old-stone-tavern-in-pittsburghs-west-end-awaits-new-life/
  10. Men of the Whiskey Insurrection in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Edited by Elizabeth J. Wall, Pittsburgh, Pa 1988
  11. http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2009/10/07/City-Council-approves-historic-status-for-Old-Stone-Tavern/stories/200910070241
  12. Legislation Details (with Text) City of Pittsburgh, File#2009-1605, Resolution https://pittsburgh.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=643647&GUID=C90E1FA2-521E-4670-BCD8-8284763B1DE9
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