Colley, Abel, Tavern
Why it's listed
Built about 1835 on the National Road west of Searights Crossroads in Menallen Township, Fayette County, this five-bay, double-pile brick tavern faces the highway from a rise about forty feet back. Its large size, paired chimneys, and two front doors identify it as a tavern, and one door opens directly into the former barroom. Abel Colley, who ran the business as owner-operator, was assessed as an innkeeper from 1837 through 1852, a period when innkeepers earned considerably more than farmers and craftsmen. The second-floor rooms, which can be opened into one large space, are said to have hosted dances. The house shows Greek Revival influence in its narrow sidelights, transom lights, and low roof pitch, and it retains much of its interior woodwork. It is one of about thirty National Road taverns identified as eligible for listing and one of two surviving in Menallen Township.
Significance in brief: The tavern is significant for its association with the commercial development of the National Road in the early nineteenth century and for its vernacular Greek Revival architecture. It retains typical tavern features such as a separate barroom door, former corner benches, and second-floor rooms that can be joined into a dance hall. The building is one of only two documented surviving National Road taverns in Menallen Township.
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 95001352, listed November 27, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | US 40, approximately 0.5 mi. W of Searights Crossroads, Menallen Township, Searights Crossroads |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | November 27, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95001352 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1835 - C. 1852 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Coordinates | 39.95946, -79.81658 (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 95001352.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4666547
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.