A Look At The Inn

The Stottsville Inn was originally built in the early 1740's and rebuilt in 1858. The first floor houses an elegant dining room and The Busy Bee Pub. Whether you're in the mood for a quiet gourmet dinner in our dining room, or a casual lunch in the pub, we have the food, the service and the setting that will make your visit special. On most weekends, we also have a piano player to make your visit even more enjoyable.

The upper floors of the Stottsville Inn house eight guest rooms, each with its own bathroom. The accommodations range from a cozy room with a queen size bed to a suite that features a sunken tub. Each room is comfortably appointed and your fee includes a complimentary continental breakfast. There is also a second floor balcony, which is a great place to enjoy breakfast or a cocktail, weather permitting.

Stottsville Inn - History
Originally, the inn was a simple log cabin built in the 1740's by one of Chester County's first settlers - Thomas Trueman. By the 1790's the cabin had become a favorite rest-stop for weary travelers arriving by horseback, stagecoach, wagon, or on foot from Strasburg Road, then a major trade route between Philadelphia and Lancaster.

In 1833 the railroad came to town, and at first horse-drawn vehicles road the rails. Later, after animal power gave way to steam, resident David Stott challenged the new machinery to a most unusual race. Riding bareback on his horse "Locomotive", Stott crossed the finish line ahead of a puffing steam engine and collected on a $500 wager - quite a princely sum in those days.

In 1858 the same time David Stott built what is now known as the Stottsville Inn; then called Stottsville Hotel. After his retirement the business was continued by Stott's two sons, Joseph and William, both of whom became well and favorably known throughout Chester County, PA.

On March 3, 1875, town resident Maris Chandler continued the tradition of keeping ledgers, diaries and photographs documenting life around the inn, allowing us to glimpse into a rich, personal past.

Former guests at Stottsville Inn ranged from the genteel to the boisterous; from vacationing landowners to travelers happening by. Undoubtedly the two most famous signatures to grace the inn's ledgers are those of U.S. presidents Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison.

The spice of human interest can be found sprinkled throughout the inn's historical ledgers. In one entry Maris Chandler registered two men and next to their names commented: "Two pedestrians who left New York wheeling barrows. Point of Terminus - San Francisco, California."

Also, sample this entry recorded on Thursday, April 4, 1889, proving that hotel life can certainly have its ups and downs. Mr. Chandler writes: "Not a damn one today. Sold only 47 drinks and got drunk myself."

On Wednesday, December 17, 1890, Josephine Stott Chandler married Horace G. Emery in a ceremony held at the inn. Noted in the inn's ledgers as "A day which will be remembered..." the place must have been an extra special setting for a wedding ceremony. The Following year both Josephine's husband and her brother-in-law purchased the inn for $11,000 and set about making various improvements. In 1900 the Emerys sold Stottsville Inn for $22,000 to John and William Gibney. Improvements under the new owners included two small additions to the rear, a gabled porch, and a large built-in bar. In 1906 the hotel became the first building in the area to install electric light.

Stottsville Inn was sold twice more in the mid 1900's and for a time fell into disrepair. Eventually the place was purchased in June of 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond H. Carr, who restored it.