The 1788 Inn

The innkeepers, Scott and Cathy Lloyd, purchased The 1788 Inn in June 2014 and embarked on a year long renovation and restoration of the historic inn. The major renovations were completed by June 2015 with the aid and effort of a great team of contractors, painters, plasterers, plumbers, etc. As with any project, there are still some tweaks and ongoing maintenance to manage. The Inn is open with 4 guest rooms all with private baths, heated bathroom floors, comfortable yet historic and some antique furnishings true to the historic period. The 1788 Inn is an excellent example of period Federal architecture in Bedford County in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Built adjacent to the “Great Road” from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, its history is recorded as a tavern, stage coach stop, inn, and wagon stand. Research indicates that the original survey of the property for Benjamin Martin was in 1788 and noted the property boundaries of 206 acres on both sides of the “Great Road” to include the Maple Spring. The original tract was called “Springfield”. In the 1920’s it was known as the Maple Lawn Inn, a restaurant known for it’s famous ham and chicken dinners. The Maple Lawn Inn has been called the truly first hotel of Breezewood. And we’ve learned from previous owners that the Inn was used as hotel lodging for the men that built the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Where did the name “The 1788 Inn” come from? Many ask why “The 1788 Inn”, where did that date come from? The Inn has been known for the last 100 years as the Maple Lawn Inn when the Rinard family purchased the place in the late 1800’s and opened the Maple Lawn Inn in the early 1900’s. Locally, that’s the connection. However, the history goes back another 100 years to the survey, patent and establishment of this place. Originally known as Martin’s Tavern, and then later as Maun’s or Mann’s Tavern, Magraw’s Tavern, The Green Tree, and Springfield as shown in the original survey, the inn has had many names. The first established date found is the survey in 1788 shown here. We wanted to highlight the full history and period of this structure, hence The 1788 Inn.