Rush House
Also known as: Sebastian Rush Hotel and Tavern
Why it's listed
Built in 1837 by Nathaniel Ewing on the North side of the National Road in Farmington, Fayette County, the house has brick south and east walls joined to fieldstone west and north walls in a dovetail pattern, with the brick fired on site. Soon after construction it was bought by Sebastian (Boss) Rush, who ran it as a stagecoach stop and an agency of the National Road Stage Company during the road's busiest years. Guests recorded in local history included Generals Jackson, Harrison, Taylor and Scott, Sam Houston, Henry Clay and Jenny Lind, and the house is also associated with President Polk and P.T. Barnum. A ledger kept by Rush survives, and a large stable once housed extra teams. Coach service ended in 1852 after the railroad took over traffic, but the building continued as a hotel until 1962. The property is significant for its tie to the stagecoach era and its famous guests.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with the National Road's stagecoach era and for the guests it hosted, including Jenny Lind and P.T. Barnum. Its operation as a hotel by Sebastian (Boss) Rush is presented as the basis of its historical importance. The form also notes its unusual mixed brick and stone construction.
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 78002399, listed March 8, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | U.S. 40 and PA 381, Farmington |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | March 8, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002399 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1837-1900 |
| Architect / builder | Nathaniel Ewing |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered; the front porch is in poor condition and a wooden porch is noted on the east side of the wing. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.80725, -79.56594 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 78002399.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7380713
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.