Clear Spring in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Miller's Tavern & Spickler's Buggy Factory
Surreys, Stagecoaches and Tin Lizzies
| — | The Historic National Road - The Road That Built The Nation | — |
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 19, 2012
1. Miller's Tavern & Spickler's Buggy Factory Marker
The Miller Hotel was one of the most popular destinations along the National Road in Washington County. Traveler T.B. Seabright recalled in 1894 “There were large rooms adapted to dancing purposes, and young men and maidens of the vicinity frequently tripped to the notes of old time music in its spacious halls…The old Wagoners engaged in these festivities with gusto….”
National Road travelers also came to this area to upgrade their means of transportation. Nearby, the Spickler’s Buggy Factory developed rubber-tired buggies, improved horse-drawn sleighs, and later was the site of the first automobile dealer in Washington County.
[Sidebar:]
Lewis Spickler, inventor and entrepreneur
“My Father had a tent at the Hagerstown Fair and showed the first rubber-tired buggy in Washington County.”
Elizabeth Herbert, daughter of inventor Lewis Spickler
Lewis Spickler invented a new model horse-drawn sleigh in 1868 at his father’s blacksmith ship The filing in the U.S. Patent office explained the improvements. “The draught is less. The sleigh is less likely to overturn. The horse does not strike his heels against any portion of the sleigh…The snow from the horse’s feet is thrown under the sleigh, instead of into the faces of the occupants….The
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Erected by America's Byways.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 39.498′ N, 77° 52.014′ W. Marker was in Clear Spring, Maryland, in Washington County. It was on National Pike (U.S. 40). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 14602 National Pike, Clear Spring MD 21722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Gettysburg Campaign (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Miller's Tavern & Spickler's Buggy Factory (about 700 feet away); “The Bank Road” (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wilson’s Store (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wilson Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Wilson Bridge
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 19, 2012
2. Miller's Tavern & Spickler's Buggy Factory Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Gettysburg Campaign (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The marker is .18 miles east of Spickler Road on the National Pike and is on the grounds of the Miller's Farmstead.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker. There are differences in subtitles and erecting organizations.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
