The James Bell Tavern, also known as Stone House Auto Sales, was a historic building in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania that was the site of a significant Anti-Federalist Party meeting in 1788.Zimmerman, Phyllis, "Historic mistake for Silver Spring stone house." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel, February 5, 2016 (subscription required). Built sometime after 1744,McCarthy, Mary. "In 1700s, only wealthy local families lived in stone houses." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel, October 16, 1993, p. 25 (subscription required). it was located at 7086 Carlisle Pike in Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania, prior to its demolition in 2017.Bupp, Michael. "Triple Crown says 'it was caught off guard' by historical significance of Bell Tavern." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel, February 5, 2016.Elias, Joe. "James Bell Tavern in Silver Spring Township demolished." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Patriot-News, March 29, 2017.
History Built sometime after 1744 as a residence for James Bell and a tavern operated by him, the house was nicknamed "The Rattlesnake" by Bell.McCarthy, "In 1700s, only wealthy local families lived in stone houses," The Sentinel, October 16, 1993.
The James Bell Tavern was the site of the Stony Ridge Convention of the Anti-Federalist Party on July 3, 1788.Zimmerman, "Historic mistake for Silver Spring stone house," The Sentinel, February 2, 2016. Converted into different business space in later years, it ultimately became the headquarters of Stone House Auto Sales. Partially demolished in early 2016,"Work begins on securing what’s left of James Bell Tavern in Cumberland County." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WPMT-Fox 43TV, April 14, 2016. it became the subject of a conservation attempt by historic preservationists,Shatzer, Karissa. "Stabilization of James Bell Tavern is underway." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WHTM-ABC27, April 12, 2016. resulting in the temporary cessation of demolition work.Bupp, "Triple Crown says 'it was caught off guard' by historical significance of Bell Tavern," The Sentinel, February 5, 2016. When those efforts subsequently failed, demolition resumed, and was completed in March 2017.Elias, "James Bell Tavern in Silver Spring Township demolished, The Patriot-News, March 29, 2017.
In April 2017, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved a historical marker for the site.Mizenko, Melanie. "Old Ashley breaker site to get historical marker." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, April 4, 2017, p. 8 (subscription required).
References
External links Stony Ridge Convention" (historical marker), Historical Marker Database, retrieved online January 10, 2023.