Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-03-28
Old Landmark to Disappe: =.


not be made permanent.
Old Landmark to Disappesr.
MrD ] Heidwohl. the present occu-
pant of the historic Hollis Tavern Oh
West Washington street. has gotten per-
mission of the Town Council to tear
down this building and erect another on
different position on the same lot. Hollis
Tavern was next in succession TO the old
Cherry Tavern. torn down some years
ago. which was located on what is now
North street opposite what is called the
Simpson property. This thoroughfare.
before Charles Town proper was laid
out and chartered. was on the line of the
old Winchester road, coming in from the
west 70 point at the angle of Eagle
avenue short distance north of the
coIored school-house, up by the town
mill and Cherry Tavern and on out to
what is now the corner of the Shepherds
town road below MIR William Hopkins.
The Simpson building now owned by
Hon Tracy L Ieffords. was the first
store here, and this. with the Cherry
Tpvern and Town Mill. was the nucleus
OF the settlement which became the pres
ent thriving city of Charles Town. Sub.
seouently, when the town of Charles
town was laid out by George Washington
for his brother Charles. after whom the
town was named. Hollis Tavern a fam
Gus hostelry in Us day, was erected on
the line OF the Main (Washlngtonl street,
and We have no doubt that the Father
OF His Country" was often a guest there.
In those days. before the era OF railroads
the merchants OF the Valley of Virginia
and way down iuto Tennessee travelled
east to Baltimore by this route in big
covered wagons to purchase and take
back with them their various articles OF
merchandise. and Hollis Tavern. with
its immense log stable. (which we web
remember furnished accommodation to
man and beast in large numbers. OF
coarse the merchants THE banking bust
ness being then practically unknown OF
almost in its infancy carried immense
sums of money with them. and slept as
securely under the shingles CT Hollis
Tavern as if they had been under the
protection of sleepless armed guards
keeping vigil over their slumbers. Sam
uel Holl. the proprietor of the hosiery.
became famous as tavern keeper, and
his name was known far and near. For
tavern business was discontinued, his
widow lived there and kept the whole
side Of the NIL and a good bit Of the
lower ground literally covered with all
the then principally known flowers
roses, lilies. marigolds. pinks, lily OF the
valley, tulips. hyacinths, blue bottles.
peoples. flags, etc.-aud would give bush
els OF them away to the children of the
town. tar and near. She had also a
profusion OF grapes and all kinds Of
fruit. Later. little old man by the
name OF Riley kept grocery store in the
west end Of the Holl building. At a
still later period the late Isaac HeIdwoh
father Of the present family of Held
wohlS. after he became heir to the prop
erty from his aunt. Mrs HoIl, conducted
public house there for some time. Hard
by Hollis Tavern about where Mr. B F
Dool-y's tinshop now stands was cd
Billy Morrow's big weaving shop. where
carpets, faunels. linens, linseys and
the finest white counterpaues were all
woven by hand; and just diagonally
across from the tavern. where Mr. John
o Johnson now lives. was what was the
first store in charles Town after the
town was laid out and incorporated.
In later years and well on down
toward the immediate ante bellum DAYS.
(the grand old days of the famous VIZ
mia militia and the general muster.
(Which has been given to history by
our nov deceased local bard. the late
William Darke Briscoel. Hollis Pump.
which yet stands in front of the old
tavern building. became almost as fam
Gus as the old inn itself Hollis Pump
Company" was the principal subdivision
Of Col John T Gibson's well-known SSH
Regiment of the Virginia Militia, and
always occupied the right of the line in
the annual parades-with Cunningham
and Medlar with drum and fffe-formine
at. moving from and being dismissed at
this point The militia then was sup
posed to be composed Of the men OF
military age. and Hollis Pump Com
pany' and afterwards the" Market House
Company were the two companies in
Charles Town-Holl's Pump being the
pioneer by many years.
The old building is not much for
beauty just now. but it is historic. and its
passing will remove an old and we'll
known landmark, which will almost cause
a paug Of regret in the hearts Of those
Of the older generation.