Newtown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Saloon

— Newtown Heritage Walk —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, December 23, 2024

1. The Saloon Marker

Inscription.

The Saloon. . The lot on this site was first partitioned in 1796 from William Penn's Newtown Common. The original clapboard and brownstone structure was built in 1836. Over the years, this building has served at one time or another as a private residence, a jail, a hospital, and a place of worship. Newtown's first Catholic services were held here from 1864-1866. Following a fire that burned down Chancellor Street School, eighth grade and high school classes were held here from 1916-1918.

During the Civil War, this building was the site of the only "battle" fought in Bucks County. The confrontation took place between Union troops, returning to their Bucks County homes on furlough, and a group of Southern sympathizers, known as the Copperheads, who patronized the hotel. When the troops sought services at the tavern, the Copperheads objected and, after hurling insults about Abraham Lincoln, they were thrown out by the Union troops who then served themselves refreshments.

During the 1880's, when the temperance movement was active in Newtown, the proprietor, William Welsch, had his license revoked for selling liquor to minors. His defense relied on the fact that the minors were "old enough to be men because they had responsible jobs and were able to grow beards." He was nonetheless convicted.

This building has also been the location of several businesses, including F.B. Wentworth's General Store, Trantor's Moving and Storage, and a lawn equipment store. In the 1940s, a local speakeasy operated at this location called, the Maennerchor Club. From 1973 to 2006, this building was known as the Township House Restaurant, and is now the Saloon. This building has served as a center of commercial activity along Sycamore Street for almost two centuries.

Site Sponsor: The Saloon

Design and layout donated by Mike DiFiori, www.BuzzGraphicDesign.com, Newtown, PA.

[Captions]:
Rear view of Wentworth's circa 1905 during the annual carriage sale held on North State Street.

Newtown High School class in 1916-1917.

The lot on this site was first partitioned in 1796 from William Penn's Newtown Common. The original clapboard and brownstone structure was built in 1836. Over the years, this building has served at one time or another as a private residence, a jail, a hospital, and a place of worship. Newtown's first Catholic services were held here from 1864-1866. Following a fire that burned down Chancellor Street School, eighth grade and high school classes were held here from 1916-1918.

During the Civil War, this building was the site of the only "battle" fought in Bucks County. The confrontation took place between Union troops, returning to their Bucks County homes on furlough, and a group of Southern sympathizers, known as the Copperheads, who patronized the hotel. When the troops sought services at the tavern, the Copperheads objected and, after hurling insults about Abraham Lincoln, they were thrown out by the Union troops who then served themselves refreshments.

During the 1880's, when the temperance movement was active in Newtown, the proprietor, William Welsch, had his license revoked for selling liquor to minors. His defense

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relied on the fact that the minors were "old enough to be men because they had responsible jobs and were able to grow beards." He was nonetheless convicted.

This building has also been the location of several businesses, including F.B. Wentworth's General Store, Trantor's Moving and Storage, and a lawn equipment store. In the 1940s, a local speakeasy operated at this location called, the Maennerchor Club. From 1973 to 2006, this building was known as the Township House Restaurant, and is now the Saloon. This building has served as a center of commercial activity along Sycamore Street for almost two centuries.

Site Sponsor: The Saloon

Design & layout donated by Mike DiFiori, www.BuzzGraphicDesign.com, Newtown, PA.

[Captions]:
Rear view of Wentworth's circa 1905 during the annual carriage sale held on North State Street.

Newtown High School class in 1916-1917.

Erected 2007 by Newtown Historic Association. (Marker Number 15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included

The Saloon Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, December 23, 2024

2. The Saloon Marker - wide view

in the Pennsylvania, Newtown Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 40° 13.97′ N, 74° 56.266′ W. Marker is in Newtown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It is in Newtown Township. It is on North Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 N Sycamore St, Newtown PA 18940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Randall Double House (a few steps from this marker); William Penn's New Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brooks House (about 400 feet away);

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Elinor Slack Campbell (about 400 feet away); North State Street (about 400 feet away); Macedonia Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); The Dolohan House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newtown.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.