Bonnet's Tavern
Also known as: Old Forks Inn
Why it's listed
Built of cut fieldstone laid in random ashlar, Bonnet's Tavern stands four miles west of Bedford at the forks of the Forbes and Burd military roads. The building measures 40 by 51 feet, with walls more than two feet thick, and the sloping site makes it three and a half stories on its lower face. Its end chimneys are brick, while the interior stacks are stone and serve eight large fireplaces, some with open hearths. Two tiers of verandas run along the south and north faces, reached only from inside the inn. Hewn beams are exposed in the basement tavern and first floor. The inn is locally important for its position on routes linking Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the site had earlier Indian village and military encampment associations. Bedford County became a political unit in 1771, and the tavern's history reflects settlement, transport and commerce on the frontier. It continues to operate as a tavern and residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its role on the Forbes and Burd roads, where it served as an important stopping point for travelers between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It also places the inn within the frontier history of Bedford County, which was then the western frontier of Pennsylvania. The document describes it as a landmark frontier structure of colonial character.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002164, listed August 1, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4 mi. W of Bedford at jct. of U.S. 30 and PA 31, Napier Twonship, Bedford |
|---|---|
| County | Bedford County |
| Listed | August 1, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002164 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | John Bonnet (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Inn still serves as a tavern and private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.04236, -78.56051 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002164.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6170296
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.