The Deer Park Tavern: History

Lewis developed the Deer Park into one of the finest hotels on the East Coast. He ran a local advertisement in which he stated "after having conducted the hotel business for 10 years here, I feel that I am justified in saying that I have been the only successful manager of the hotel at this place. My hack meets all trains".

An article written about the Deer Park stated "This is one of the best hotels in the country, interior cheerful and well ventilated, the chambers being large and neatly furnished. On the first floor are the offices, reading room, dining rooms, and bar. The kitchens are scrupulously clean, the food well cooked, the bill of fare comprising of a variety of dishes, wherein all the luxuries of the season are a tempting feature. A carriage conveys all guests to and from all trains and special attention is given to commercial travelers." From 1875 to 1895 the Deer Park was the site of several special state functions. In addition, the hotel was used for many local events, such as fraternity meetings, alumni reunions, political meetings, and election polls.

A folk account of their (Mason & Dixon) stay said they were a jolly bunch who kept a tame bear for amusement and consumed large portions of peach and apricot brandy.

It was during this period that two twenty-foot additions were added at each end of the building and later, a two-story front porch was erected. A barbershop where a trim could be had for two bits while sipping on a cold draft was added along with the west wing. The building remained much the same until 1904, when the porch was extended around the west side and a Victorian look was created.

The McKelveys took over the Deer Park in 1910. They did little to change the hotel until 1945 when the building was painted gray. Then, in 1951 they obtained a permit to remove the porches and build a storeroom addition. George and M. Jacquelin Thompson purchased the Deer Park in 1958. They painted the building white and added a one-story metal roofed porch.

A small corporation, ERG, Inc., purchased the Deer Park in 1976 for a reported one million dollars. The new owners made many changes, such as adding an expanded menu, and keeping the restaurant open on Sundays. Thus began the famous Deer Park Sunday brunch and Sunday night Jazz music. Many physical changes also occurred over the next 10 years. The small bar in the front room was removed and a new bar in the back area was made. The white paint on the outside was sandblasted away and the original red brick was exposed. The metal roof over the porch, which was falling down, was removed and a new Victorian style porch was erected. The kitchen was totally remodeled and the package store was closed to accommodate the increased restaurant business. The main dining area was redone, and the old drop ceiling was removed, exposing the tin ceiling above. The panel walls were taken out and the original oak woodwork was exposed. The menu continued to expand with an emphasis on Mexican food.

Rumor had it that the old Mason and Dixon border marker was in the basement, but it could not be found. History has it the basement was used as part of the underground network during the Civil War.

Today, the atmosphere is varied, with a lunch and dinner crowd comprised of business people, university professionals, and students. The night crowd is mostly locals at the main bar and students who come for inexpensive drinks and free entertainment.

The Deer Park Tavern has certainly experienced much change. The original structure contained only 12 rooms for rent on the upper floors, while housing a bar, reading room, and dining room at ground level. When the additions were completed in the late 1880s another 13 rooms were available for rent and a ballroom, barbershop, and storeroom were added. The upper floors still bear the wooden conduits used to house electricity that was installed sometime in the 1890s. The basement reveals an old coal chute and bin, as well as an opening for kegs to be rolled down to a wooden cooler where beer was kept. Three foundations can be seen, one of brick, one of cement, and one of packed gravel. It was rumored that the old Mason and Dixon border marker was in the basement, but it could not be found. History has it the basement was used as part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.

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