Snodgrass Tavern is an historic tavern located near Hedgesville, West Virginia, Hedgesville in Berkeley County, West Virginia, Berkeley County, West Virginia. The structure was built in stages beginning around 1742, and is one of the oldest buildings in West Virginia still standing. It is uncertain when the structure became a tavern; but according to Early Hedgesville Chronicles 1720–1947, by William Moore, an account of Robert Snodgrass's wife, Susannah and their first daughter, baby Elizabeth describes it having been used as a tavern during the Indian wars at the brink of the French and Indian War (early to mid 1750s). Specifically, they hid beneath the floors of the tavern, while the Indians drank and fought above. The tavern lasted until 1847, when the property was sold as a private residence. The structure and surrounding property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

It is unclear who built the original sections of the tavern. One source states that in 1732, Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, Lord Fairfax granted William Snodgrass a tract of land in what is now Berkeley County, West Virginia, upon which he began building the tavern.#refFuss, Fuss 1972, p. 2. However, other sources claim John Ford began the original construction, selling the land at some point to the Rawlings family, who then sold the land to Robert Snodgrass in 1779.#refTaylor, Taylor 2005, p. 9.''#refTrail, Snodgrass Tavern'' Nevertheless, the Snodgrass name became associated with the tavern. Beginning around 1742, construction of the building was begun.#refTaylor, Taylor 2005, p. 2. The first section built was a -story square log structure of side length . This was followed about fifteen years later by a separate two-story log structure approximately 10 feet to the west of the first structure. Eventually these separate structures were connected, and the first section was increased to a full two stories. Around 1813, the last addition to the tavern was added along the entire length of the northern side of the structure and was constructed from sandstone.#refTaylor, Taylor 2005, p. 6. The building has twin chimneys on both ends, which is considered an unusual feature in the area.#refFuss, Fuss 1972, p. 5. A veranda spans the full length of the building's front side.#refCapace, Capace 1999, p. 207. Although the exact date when the structure became a tavern is uncertain, it is believed to have become such gradually and at an early date.#refFuss, Fuss 1972, p. 3. The tavern room was by in dimension, which was exceptionally large for tavern rooms of that era. The tavern was located approximately halfway between Martinsburg, West Virginia, Martinsburg and what is now known as Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, Berkeley Springs. This led to the property being referred to as the Halfway House. The tavern lasted until 1847, when James Snodgrass, who refused to sell liquor (causing business to dwindle), began renting out the tavern and eventually sold it. The building became a private residence, in which state it remains. The tavern received several notable visitors throughout its existence. George Washington visited the tavern on multiple occasions. The first visit occurred in 1750, when Washington was surveying land for Lord Fairfax. Another visit was recorded in Washington's diary on September 5, 1784. Washington also stopped at Snodgrass when traveling to Berkeley Springs (also known as Bath) on other occasions. Noted politician Henry Clay visited Snodgrass Tavern while visiting friends in the area during July 1827, at which time he was the U.S. Secretary of State. The tavern was originally listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1973. On March 22, 2006, the property's boundaries were extended from an original area of (the tavern itself)#refFuss, Fuss 1972, p. 4. to .#refTaylor, Taylor 2005, p. 4. This expansion was done to include other historic structures and sites on the property, including a slave cemetery and various outbuildings.#refTaylor, Taylor 2005, pp. 7–8. Snodgrass Tavern is one of the oldest buildings still standing in West Virginia.

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* * {{National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia Houses completed in 1742 Houses in Berkeley County, West Virginia Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Berkeley County, West Virginia Stone houses in West Virginia Drinking establishments on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia 1742 establishments in Virginia Log buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia

History

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