Our History

Quaint and quiet, the village of Boalsburg lies at the foot of Tussey Mountain. Its streets were once The King's Highway to the West. Many of its houses are built of native stone with deeply recessed windows and doors, and delicate fan lights above. Its walks are shaded by tall maples under which people pass in leisurely fashion, greeting the stranger with old-fashioned courtesy. This typically characteristic American village was settled by Scotch Irish in 1806. Its convenience as a stagecoach stop assured its prosperity, and travel by stage in those days was sufficient to warrent three taverns, one for gentry, one for coachmen and wagoners, and one for drovers.

Our Tavern is believed to have been the one which housed the gentry. Built in 1819 by Colonel James Johnston, the marker above the door signifies the builder and his wife, Hannah Bethesda. The Tavern operated continuously from 1819 until 1934 when it was partially destroyed by fire. The architectural quality was such that it was selected, even in its destroyed condition, by the advisory committee of the Historic American Building Survey, "as possessing such historical and architectural interest as being worthy of careful preservation for the benefit of future generations." A record of its present appearance and condition has been made and deposited in the Library of Congress for permanent records.

The 22-inch stone walls are as solid as the day they were erected, keeping the inside temperature at 68 - 70 degrees on hot summer days.

In the blue room, there may be seen the old cash drawer beneath the bar cupboard, and another beneath the window, possibly for porch service.

At one time, the entire second floor was a ballroom with a hinged panel which was let down at the close of the dance to separate the space into sleeping quarters, the men on one side and the women on the other.

Our town was once called Springfield, but with the establishment of the Post Office in 1820, the name was changed to Boalsburg in honor of the Boal Family, wealthy land owners. Boalsburg is claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, for the graves in the old cemetary were decorated here as early as five years prior to the ordinance passed by the United States. This custom is still carried out.

From early Revolutionary times through the recent World War, decendants of the founders of the village have organized and maintained troops. The land on which a distinguished service company was recruited and trained under the sponsorship of the late Colonel Theodore Davis Boal for service in the Mexican and World War I is now the site of The Pennsylvania Military Museum and military shrine to the deceased soldiers of Pennsylvania.

The Boal Mansion and grounds lie a short distance west of town and are open for public tours during the summer months. The mother of Pierre Boal was a direct decendant of Christopher Columbus and many interesting and historic momentos are contained in the mansion.

The surrounding mountain region affords many miles of beautiful drives at any season.

Proprietors: Carl and Joanne Hacker