Wable-Augustine Tavern
Why it's listed
Set near the foot of Winding Ridge, a short distance east of Addison, this five-bay frame house was built around 1820 with a central hall and large interior stone gable-end chimneys, features that marked it as a tavern. John Wable is credited with its construction, and the house was operated as an inn through the boom years of the National Road, roughly the 1820s to the mid-1850s. Its Federal-period details survive, including the arched transom, reeded door reveals, bracketed stair stringers, and back-to-back corner fireplaces, along with a hewn-rafter attic that could hold overnight guests. Among the few wood-frame taverns still standing on the road, it is regarded as the best surviving example of a National Road tavern in Somerset County. Later porches and siding have changed its exterior, but its plan and character still convey its early role in the road's commerce.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its association with the early commercial development of the National Road and as one of only a few surviving wood-frame taverns on that road. It is also presented as the best surviving tavern associated with the National Road in Somerset County and as a good example of vernacular tavern architecture with Federal style details.
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 95001353, 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 1 mi. E of Addison, Addison Township, Addison |
|---|---|
| County | Somerset County |
| Listed | November 27, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95001353 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1820-c. 1855 |
| Architect / builder | John Wable (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Retains its early form and floor plan; exterior siding was replaced, twentieth-century porches were added, and the kitchen ell was removed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.73439, -79.31913 (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 95001353.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7958702
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.