Black Horse Inn, historic tavern in Flourtown, Pennsylvania
The Black Horse Inn is a hotel in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, originally built in 1744 with stone walls covered in plaster, a rectangular footprint, and two and a half stories topped by a small attached stone kitchen. The structure expanded significantly with a three-story section added in 1833 to the north side and a front porch, followed by smaller single-story additions to the rear between 1880 and 1908, all while maintaining its Federal-style architectural character.
The inn was built in 1744 by Abraham Wakerly as a simple one-room structure with a kitchen that expanded as travel increased along Bethlehem Pike during colonial times. From the era of George Washington through the Civil War, it remained an important stop for stagecoach travelers, but declined in regional significance after trolley service ended in 1926, becoming primarily a local landmark.
The Black Horse Inn served as a gathering place where travelers and local residents met to share meals and stories over the centuries. Its function as a tavern reflects how such establishments anchored community life during early American times, serving as informal centers where news and conversation flowed freely.
The building sits visibly on Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown and the exterior is accessible anytime, though the interior is not regularly open to visitors. You can view the outside whenever you pass and should check for special events or tours that occasionally allow entry to see the wooden floors and period furnishings inside.
The inn was historically known by another name, Sampson and the Lion, a reference to a local story or tradition tied to its origin. This alternate designation reveals how colonial taverns often took names rooted in folklore or symbolism that helped define their place in the community.
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