Newtown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Temperance House
| | Newtown Heritage Walk | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
1. Temperance House Marker
Although some historians believe there may have been a tavern at this location fifty years earlier, Andrew and Nancy McMinn built the first part of the Temperance House, located at 5 South State Street, circa 1772. Part of the building was used as a tavern and another section as a schoolhouse, where Andrew McMinn taught school. McMinn became a well-known figure in Newtown, and later served as a sergeant in Capt. Henry Van Horn's militia company during the Revolutionary War.
General Francis Murray and Jolly & Mercy Yardley Longshore ran the inn during post-Revolutionary days. Innkeeper William R. Hallowell renamed the hostelry "The Temperance Hotel" in 1848. The inn later became known as "The Niagara Temperance House" under proprietor Joseph Willard, complementing Edward Hicks' sign depicting a moose standing by Niagara Falls. Samuel Willard later named it "The Temperance Hotel Oyster and Ice Cream Bar." The name was reduced by common usage over the years to simply "The Temperance House" and then to "The Temp". The hotel remains a popular dining spot today and now encompasses the buildings from 5-11 South State Street.
Erected 2007
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Newtown Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.
Location. 40° 13.736′ N, 74° 56.201′ W. Marker is in Newtown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It is on State Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is about 100 feet south of Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5-11 S State Street, 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
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
2. Temperance House and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
3. Photo on Temperance House Marker
[Caption reads] View of the Temperance House, circa 1890.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
4. Photo on Temperance House Marker
[Caption reads] View of Tranter Meats & Provisions, now part of the Temperance House, circa 1910.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,174 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
