Near Bedford in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Traveling The Highway

By Mike Wintermantel, October 6, 2012

1. Traveling The Highway Marker

Inscription. For over 200 years, Bedford County taverns have served as stopovers for weary travelers en route to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Over the years, most of these taverns have ceased to operate. However, the Jean Bonnet Tavern continues to offer a fine meal, a tankard of ale, and a good night's rest.
Built in 1769 between the Glades Road and Forbes Road, the Jean Bonnet Tavern was part of the original William Penn Land Grant. Since this was the only trail west through the Allegheny Mountains, the tavern saw brisk business. In addition to serving travelers, it was the last stop for troops headed for Fort Ligonier and Fort Duquesne. The Bedford to Stoystown Turnpike was built in 1818 over the same path. The Lincoln Highway followed the same route a century later.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Jean Bonnet Tavern's two-foot thick fieldstone walls, large fireplaces, and chestnut beams all add to the unique dining and lodging experience for today's Lincoln Highway travelers.
One of the 1928 Lincoln Highway cement markers is located on the north side of the road about 100 feet east of the Tavern. Fewer than two dozen remain along the route in Pennsylvania.

Location. 40° 2.537′ N, 78° 33.635′ W. Marker is near Bedford, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. Marker can be reached from Allegheny Road (Pennsylvania Route 31). Touch for map. Located at the Bonnet Tavern gift shop. Marker is in this post office area: Bedford PA 15522, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bonnet Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Forbes Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Forbes Road (was about 300 feet away but has been reported missing. ); The Coffee Pot (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bedford Village (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Bedford Village (approx. 3.3 miles away); Fort Bedford (approx. 3.4 miles away); Grist Millstone (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bedford.

Also see . . . Jean Bonnet Tavern. (Submitted on October 7, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Categories. • Roads & Vehicles •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.