Nestled along the meandering Delaware River in Bristol, Pennsylvania is the charming King George II Inn. The long-standing tavern witnessed the birth of our nation, has welcomed numerous famous guests, and has persevered through 339 years of history to offer a unique dining experience to visitors. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing day trip, then head over to historic Bristol and the King George II Inn!
History
The King George II Inn has its origins in 1681, when Englishman Samuel Clift was granted 262 acres from the Governor of New York Colony. In order to receive the land grant, Clift had to establish a public house and ferry (to cross the Delaware River) from modern-day Bristol, PA to Burlington, NJ. The public house that Clift established near the ferry landing (along the King’s Highway) was first known as The Ferry House. Samuel Clift died a few short years later in 1684.
The Ferry House continued its vital service and was eventually owned by a man named Patrick O’Hanlon from 1730 to 1765. The next proprietor was Charles Bessonett, who rebuilt and expanded the Ferry House in 1765 (the current structure is from that year). Prior to the American Revolution, Bessonett decided to rename the Ferry House the King George II Inn. When war broke out in 1775, patriot troops that encountered the tavern obviously took offense to the name- legend has it that they shot down the tavern sign in protest.
As the war progressed, the King George II Inn would play a central role in the action. Most have heard about Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776; however, there were other planned river crossings that night. One such crossing was to take place at the ferry landing in Bristol by American forces under General Cadwalader. In fact, the inn served as General Cadwalader’s headquarters on the eve of his ultimately unsuccessful river crossing (his nearly 3,000 man contingent never made it across the river to support Washington’s attack on Trenton). Following the war, Bessonett changed the name of the inn to the Fountain House.
The Fountain House continued its service through America’s earliest beginnings and hosted famous men such as the Marquis de Lafayette and U.S. presidents John Adams, James Madison, John Tyler, and Millard Fillmore. In 1892, the Fountain House was owned by a Mrs. Lincoln, who changed the name to the Delaware House (undoubtedly named for the remarkable view the inn had of the Delaware River).
By the early 20th century, use of the Bristol river ferry diminished and ultimately ended with the construction of a bridge connecting Bristol to Burlington; however, the King George II Inn (as it would be renamed) continued to provide fantastic service to travelers. Today, the inn continues its proud tradition of providing a wonderful dining experience, fantastic riverfront views, and currently houses short/long term renters (there are no single night rooms for rent at this time).
Interesting Facts
- A young George Washington once visited and stayed at the King George II Inn during a journey to Connecticut to request a military commission
- The ferry established by Clift in the 1680s was essentially the only way to cross the Delaware River in the region for nearly 250 years- until the Burlington-Bristol bridge was built in 1929
- The founding of the King George II Inn in 1681 coincided with the founding of the town of Bristol and the Pennsylvania Colony
Our Visit & Recommendations
Our visit to the King George II Inn (102 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007) was a very memorable experience! We decided to stop by in the evening to enjoy a round of drinks, some appetizers, and to take in the beautiful sunset views of the Delaware River from their outside patio.
Although we sat outside, I made sure to explore the inside of the tavern and see the beautiful and historic bar, which is made of wood from a ship called Lafayette. Today, all of the dark wood in the bar is original, so be on the lookout! The inn also boasts beautiful dining rooms and has artifacts throughout its halls.
During our visit, we met the two owners of the King George II Inn, who were incredibly kind and welcoming. They have maintained the inn’s colonial charm while providing top-notch service to all who visit. It is great to know that the historic King George II Inn is in such capable hands.
After our meal and drinks (we tried the calamari, which was out of this world), we finished the evening with a delightful stroll along the Delaware River waterfront just outside of the tavern. There are a multitude of monuments and great spots for pictures along the river. There is nothing like watching boats pass and up down a historic waterway washed in evening sunlight!
Book recommendation: Taverns of the American Revolution by Adrian Covert
Source(s): http://www.kginn.com/our-history/