UNIT V - TEACHER SHEET

Objectives:

Materials:

Background:

Accommodations along the National Road varied depending upon how a person traveled. There were drover's stands for the animal drovers and wagon stands for the waggoners. There also were stage stands - taverns or inns - serving the many stagecoach lines.

Wagon and drover stands were located every 2-5 miles in mountainous areas where animals and people needed more frequent stops. Both of these facilities provided inexpensive meals, drink, and a place to sleep - on the barroom floor or under one's wagon (in the case of wagon stands). Drovers and wagoners carried their own bedding with them. These stands provided large enclosures for the livestock and level yards for the wagons staying overnight.

Much more is known about the stage stands because affluent travelers often discussed them in their diaries. The horse teams were changed every 12-15 miles at taverns associated with an individual stage line. The stage taverns also provided food and lodging.

A good example of a stagecoach tavern along the National Road was the Mount Washington Tavern, served by the Good Intent Stage Line. This tavern was built by Nathaniel Ewing around 1830. The tavern served the National Road during its heyday (1840’s) under the ownership of the James Sampey family.

Coachmen approaching the tavern would blow their coachman's horn to announce their arrival. Passengers would disembark, freshen up if they chose, and await dinner. Men would congregate in the barroom to drink, chat, and play cards or checkers. Women who cherished their reputations would stay away from the barroom and sit in the parlor to have tea, watch small children, sew, rest, and talk.

With the ringing of the dinner bell, guests would quickly move to the dining room. Although there was no menu, there were plenty of food choices. Activity V A lists many of the types of food offered in taverns. Guests ate quickly so that other guests could have their turn. If they were to stay for the night, guests might socialize before retiring for the evening.

Purchasing a night's stay at a tavern meant paying for a place to sleep on a bed or pallet. Men and boys slept in rooms separate from women, girls, and small children. Guests slept two or three to a bed, with most of their clothes on, as cleanliness of sheets and neighbors could never be guaranteed. Also, the security of personal possessions depended on keeping them close.

Frequently the coaches would leave the tavern before daybreak to travel another 12-14 hour day. Often they would eat breakfast at another inn served by the same coach line further along the road. Average costs for lodging were 50 cents per person per night, and food cost about 25 cents per person per meal (less for children).

Supplemental Activities:

Relevant Site Information:

Activity Answers:

Unit V A

Unit V B

Unit student information Activity A Activity B