The National Road: Brownsville to Washington
As you head leave Brownsville and head further west, the next town is Centerville.  The heart of the small town is located on the original routing of the National Road just north of modern US 40.  Centerville would be very prominent in the early days of the National Road.  The town, which was founded in 1821, was a central stopping point for stagecoaches between Uniontown and Washington.


The National Road winds through the heart of Centerville (William Lawson)

Located on the west end of town is the Riggle Tavern, the tavern was owned by Zaphania Riggle, who owned numerous taverns along the pike in Washington County.  The tavern that bears her last name was burned under her ownership but was immediately rebuilt.  Ms. Riggle transferred ownership of the tavern in 1845 to Peter Colley. (1)


The former Riggle Tavern in Centerville.  (photo taken by John Grable)

Further west, you will come across Hill's Tavern.  The building, which was constructed in 1794, is located in Scenery Hill.  Scenery Hill is the home of many quaint restaurants and antique shops.


Stephen Hill's Tavern located in Scenery Hill.  Photo taken by John and Barb Bee.

The Tavern is now named 'The Century Inn.'  The Inn can lodge up to 19 guests and also can dine and entertain up to 150 patrons in five separate dining rooms.  Across the street is 'Zephanie Riggle's House of Entertainment.'  The intriguingly named inn can also lodge up to nine guests.  The Village of Scenery Hill is definitely worth a stop while traveling the National Road.  The Century Inn also has a framed flag of the Whiskey Rebellion.  The Rebellion was a Southwestern Pennsylvanian farmers revolt on a federal excise tax on liquor.  It was quickly dissolved by President Washington without any fighting. (2)

The Flag of the Whiskey Rebellion.  (Mike Austing)
Continuing on the Trail:
  • East and Tour Brownsville
  • West to the West Virginia Line
  • National Road Photo Essay Index


    • Site Navigation, Sources & Links:

  • US 40 @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko
  • The SWPA Roads Project
  • Route 40 Net ---Frank Brusca
  • (1) Grable, John, "Additions to web page." Personal e-mail. May 2, 2005.
  • (2) Yahoo Reference: The Britannica Concise. 'Whiskey Rebellion.' http://education.yahoo.com/search/be?lb=t&p=url%3Aw/whiskey_rebellion (Nov. 16, 2002)
  • Barb and John Bee
  • Mike Austing

    •  

     

    Page Created: April 1, 2002
    Last Updated: April 15, 2007

    © 2002-07 William Lawson