Red Run Lodge
Why it's listed
Red Run is a roadside motor court on Route 16 three miles east of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, built in 1939 by the Smith family, who had farmed the land since 1917. The complex includes a lodge with a restaurant, fourteen log cabins arranged in a line against the toe of South Mountain, a bath house, a fruit stand, and two stone walls. Chestnut logs cut from neighboring woods after the chestnut blight form the walls, and the lodge has a stone fireplace and a rear section of 1 1/2 stories. The complex was built beside the new Sunshine Trail, a federally funded highway completed in 1937 that bypassed a winding mountain road. Its rustic log style was familiar to motorists and was promoted in the 1941 American Automobile Association directory. The business operated until 1965, and the lodge and cabins have stood vacant since, while the fruit stand continues seasonal sales. The nomination considers it a rare survivor of its type in the county.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the complex is a significant regional example of 1930s roadside motels built in response to automobile tourism and the Sunshine Trail highway. Its log cabin style is presented as familiar and appealing to travellers, and the nomination regards it as a rare surviving pre-World War II motel in Franklin County, unaltered and intact.
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 96000083, listed February 16, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Buchanan Trail E. (PA 16), Washington Township, Rouzerville |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | February 16, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000083 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1939-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Smith, Henry O.; Smith, H. Franklin |
| Architectural style | Log cabin style (20th century rustic log cabin style) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Commerce |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Lodge and cabins have been vacant since 1965 and deteriorated; the fruit stand remains in seasonal use. |
| Acreage | 21 |
| Coordinates | 39.73712, -77.51715 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 96000083.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7304977
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.