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Snodgrass Tavern is one of the oldest known buildings in West Virginia. Most likely, the first 16-square-foot log section was built in 1742 by John Ford who owned the land. It contained four large stone chimneys. Various additions and improvements have taken place over the years. In 1779 Robert Snodgrass purchased the tavern and a 234-acre tract of land from Colonel Van Swearingen. He operated the tavern here until 1801 when he sold it to his son Robert Snodgrass, Jr.
The tavern was built on the east side of Back Creek along Warm Springs Road, making it the perfect stop for travelers heading to and from the warm springs at Bath (Berkeley Springs.) In the early 1800s, Robert Snodgrass operated a ferry just south of the present highway bridge over Back Creek. He was reprimanded by local Presbyterians in 1828 for allowing dancing. In 1832 a store was established at the tavern.
The tavern’s most famous guest was George Washington. Secretary of State Henry Clay also visited the tavern on one of his journeys from Alexandria, Virginia, to Berkeley Springs. The house operated as a tavern until 1847.
An early slave cemetery is located near the tavern, as well as a small stone building dated 1747, which has served many purposes throughout the years. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location: Privately owned; WV9 – 1.4 miles west of Hedgesville
“Dispatched my wagon (with the baggage) at daylight and at 7 o’clock
followed it. Halted at one Snodgrass’s on Back Creek and dined there.”
George Washington’s diary — September 5, 1784
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