Skinner Tavern
Skinner Tavern is a historic Pennsylvania inn and tavern, built in the late eighteenth century along an important east–west road and later adapted for commercial and residential use.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Skinner Tavern, also known historically as Skinner's Inn, the Halfway Hotel, the Western Inn, and the Geyer Hotel, is a historic inn and tavern in Letterkenny Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The property represents the roadside hospitality businesses that supported travel, migration, livestock movement, commerce, and communication in the early United States. The original stone section was probably constructed in 1788 by John Skinner Sr., who had received a contract to build the Three Mountain Road between the area now known as Upper Strasburg and Burnt Cabins. The road was completed around 1790. By 1794, Skinner Sr. had transferred the original tavern to his son George and a second nearby tavern to another son, John Skinner Jr. The existence of two establishments bearing the Skinner name contributed to the site's changing historical references. The tavern's importance increased as the Three Mountain Road became part of the principal route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before 1800. The route carried settlers and travelers westward and agricultural produce eastward. During the drover's era, which lasted approximately until 1850, cattle and sheep were driven along the road in substantial numbers. Taverns positioned at short intervals served as lodging, food, drink, staging, and meeting places for travelers, teamsters, drovers, and local residents. The property is also associated with national and regional events. During the Whiskey Rebellion period, George Washington either stayed at or passed the place known as “Skinners” while returning from Bedford to Philadelphia in October 1794. In a letter to Alexander Hamilton dated October 26, Washington referred to difficulties encountered after leaving “Skinners,” including a wrong road while ascending North Mountain. During the Gettysburg campaign in 1863, a scouting party associated with the Army of Northern Virginia passed along the road near the tavern while searching the valley for horses to take for Confederate service. The property was then known as the Western Inn and was operated by David Geyer. Architecturally, Skinner Tavern consists of a two-and-one-half-story, three-bay Georgian-style stone building joined to a two-and-one-half-story, five-bay brick addition. The addition was constructed between 1837 and 1850, and the two sections were unified under a gable roof. The building measures approximately 70 feet 6 inches in depth and 27 feet 6 inches in width. From 1888 to 1909, it housed a general store and post office. After 1909, the building was converted into a private residence, ending its principal role as a public tavern and commercial stop. Skinner Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Its significance lies less in modern commercial activity than in its surviving physical form, documented associations with transportation and settlement, and connection to the layered history of Pennsylvania's early road network.
History
John Skinner Sr. was awarded a contract in 1788 to construct the Three Mountain Road from the Upper Strasburg area toward Burnt Cabins. The road was completed around 1790, and a stone tavern was probably built by Skinner Sr. during this period. A second tavern was later established immediately to the south. By 1794, the original tavern had been deeded to Skinner's son George, while the second establishment had been deeded to his son John Skinner Jr. The road soon became part of a major route linking Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Before the development of modern transportation infrastructure, this corridor was used by westbound settlers, eastbound farmers transporting produce, and travelers moving through the North Mountain region. Its taverns provided essential accommodation and services. During the drover's era, which continued until about 1850, cattle and sheep were regularly moved eastward along the road, and roadside inns were often spaced roughly a mile apart. Skinner Tavern is associated with George Washington's return journey during the Whiskey Rebellion period. In an October 26, 1794 letter to Alexander Hamilton, Washington described having reached a location identified as “Skinners” and mentioned difficulty caused by taking a wrong road while ascending North Mountain. The surviving historical account does not establish conclusively whether Washington stayed inside the tavern or merely traveled past it. The property also figured in local events during the 1863 Gettysburg campaign. A scouting party connected with the Army of Northern Virginia traveled through the valley from Upper Strasburg while looking for horses for Confederate use. According to the historical account cited for the property, the party passed on the road in front of the building, which was then called the Western Inn and operated by David Geyer. The surviving building combines an early stone structure with a later brick addition. The original section is a two-and-one-half-story, three-bay Georgian-style stone building. A five-bay, two-and-one-half-story brick addition was constructed between 1837 and 1850. The sections were brought together visually beneath a gable roof. The building is approximately 70 feet 6 inches deep and 27 feet 6 inches wide. From 1888 through 1909, the building served as both a general store and a post office, reflecting the property's continuing role as a local service point after its peak as a tavern and travelers' inn. In 1909, it was converted into a private residence. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, recognizing its architectural character and its associations with transportation, settlement, commerce, and regional history.
- 2005
National Register of Historic Places listing
[1]Skinner Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1909
Converted to a private residence
[1]The property ceased operating as a general store and post office and was converted into a private residence.
- 1888
General store and post office open
[1]The building began serving as a general store and post office, functions it retained until 1909.
- 1863
Gettysburg campaign connection
[1]A Confederate scouting party passed the property, then known as the Western Inn, while searching for horses.
- 1850
Later brick addition completed
[1]The property's substantial brick addition was built between 1837 and 1850.
- 1800
Road becomes part of a Philadelphia–Pittsburgh route
[1]By sometime before 1800, the Three Mountain Road had become an important route for travelers, settlers, and agricultural commerce.
- 1794
Tavern properties transferred within the Skinner family
[1]The original tavern was deeded to George Skinner, while the second nearby tavern was deeded to John Skinner Jr.
- 1794
Association with George Washington's Whiskey Rebellion journey
[1]During his return from Bedford to Philadelphia, George Washington either stayed at or passed the place then known as “Skinners.”
- 1790
Road construction completed
[1]The Three Mountain Road was completed around this time, improving the property's role as a roadside stop.
- 1788
Three Mountain Road contract awarded
[1]John Skinner Sr. received the contract to build the Three Mountain Road between the Upper Strasburg area and Burnt Cabins.
Products and positioning
A historic roadside inn and tavern associated with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century travel, droving, commerce, and regional transportation in Pennsylvania.
Hospitality · 1788
Tavern and inn services
The property's original role was as a roadside tavern and inn serving people traveling along the Three Mountain Road. Its hospitality functions likely included lodging and the provision of food and drink, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed menu or service list.
Retail · 1888
General store
From 1888 to 1909, the building housed a general store serving the surrounding community. The available reference does not identify the store's specific merchandise or operator.
Postal service · 1888
Post office
A post office operated in the building alongside the general store from 1888 until 1909, extending the property's role as a local communications and service point.
Sources1 sources
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