Original watercolor by Tom Freeman, research by Ben Tinsley, owners of the Old Banking Mansion, Williamsport
Sitting quietly along the east side of North Conococheague Street is an unassuming 3-bay brick building painted cream, with brown trim. A sign with the name Third Base Tavern hangs directly above the arched brick doorway welcoming travelers and locals alike. Looking closely at the building you start to see that the building has Flemish bond brickwork and a large, simple cornice decorating the façade. The windows on the second story are large with brick jack arches crowing them. A large bank of windows with an awning occupies the two southern bays on the ground level. An exterior staircase along the front with an iron railing descends below grade exposing the stacked limestone foundation. Old photographs show the building originally with two doors side by side on the ground level, one leading to the old Inn above, and one to the tavern. By all accounts this building is Federal in design, proving it to be one of the earlier buildings along the main street of Williamsport that retains its mostly original form.
On July 15, 1829, James Shoaff, a local merchant, made an agreement with Samuel Ross to purchase lot 25 for a total sum of $1,000 paid over five years. At the time, there was one house on the lot, which is now incorporated into the current 39 and 41 N Conococheague St. Mr. Shoaff went to work immediately building his lavish Williamsport Inn on the remaining open section of the lot, directly abutting the large old Adams style house to the north. In March of 1831, he advertised that his new “house of entertainment, constructed in the most modern and tasteful style, and finished in the best manner, that will not be surpassed by any other place” would open in April. Unfortunately, Mr. Shoaff may have over-invested into his illustrious Williamsport Inn. He racked up $685.06 in debt across 18 individuals. In April of 1833, Mr. Jacob Tolley Towson, Williamsport’s preeminent merchant and businessman, assisted Mr. Shoaff by covering his debts immediately, to be repaid within 12 months, with the contents of Mr. Shoaff’s tavern as equity. The contents included “12 beds and bedsteads, seven tables, two sideboards, one secretary, five looking glasses three dozen chairs, five stoves, two pair of andirons, one eight-day clock and case, three bureaus, one horse, and one shop now occupied as a lottery office.” This however wasn’t enough to save Mr. Shoaff from having a trustee appointed take control of his property and estate by the county court “for the benefit of all his creditors” In June of 1833. The Tavern, large house and lot was immediately sold to a James Ash for $3,625, a princely sum at the time. Mr. Shoaff passed away in 1835 and is buried in Riverview Cemetery. Lot 25 was subdivided unofficially between 1841 and 1890 and was owned by a John F. Dellinger and then a Jonathan Spielman, followed by Nathaniel Friey whom likely rented it as a residence until 1890.
In April of 1890, 22-year-old William Harry Fuss bought 35 N. Conococheague St. at public auction for $1,500, leading one to believe it may have fallen into some disrepair. By 1897, Mr. Fuss had opened his jewelry store and was reported to have been afflicted with an illness “for sometime”. In 1920, Mr. Fuss unofficially closed his shop, likely because of his ailment, and in December 1944, Mr. Fuss passed away from a heart attack. With no wife or children, Mr. Fuss left his shop and townhouse (25 E Salisbury St.) to his sister and brother. His siblings sold the property at auction in April of 1945, advertising the “brick dwelling house containing eleven rooms including a storeroom and electric lights and water.” Francis McCardell purchased the building in 1945 and sold it to Ernest and Anna Banzhoff in March of 1950. A month prior to purchasing the property, Mr. Banzhoff applied to move a Class D liquor license from “Swift’s Place” located at 2 S. Conococheague St. to 35 N. Conococheague St. It is likely the Banzhoff’s lived upstairs and renovated the downstairs as a tavern since they sold their house outside of Williamsport at the same time. By 1953, Ernest Banzhoff’s Tavern was open and running as it was reported having been broken into during the night. In January of 1970, Mr. Banzhoff applied to change ownership of the Class D liquor license to James Powell and rename it “Pat’s Tavern” as he was planning to retire. In March of 1977, The Banzhoff’s sold the property to James and Patsy Powell. The tavern was purchased in 1983 by Richard and Leslie Alloway, and then sold to Bob and Peggy West.
Ed Kave worked with the West Family for many years in the old tavern, growing very fond of the historic building and its history. Ed bought the building and business, becoming its proud new owner. Ed has dedicated more than 35 years of his life to the place. Ed is just as dedicated to Williamsport and this history of his town as he is to his business. Third Base Tavern is a legendary local fixture, having started as a tavern in 1831, becoming a jewelry store in 1890, and began once again in 1951 serving the public as a tavern. As the building turns 192 years old this year it has proved to be a haven for locals and tourists alike. There is always good company, stories of the “old days” and a history lesson or two from Ed. One can always expect friendly service from the staff, and a hug from Delores “Dee” Burkholder, Ed’s mother who has worked at the Tavern herself for many years. Continually operating for more than 70 years, it has the distinction of being the longest running tavern in Williamsport.
DEED RECORD
Owner / WCLR Liber-Folio / Date
James and Patsy Powell / 632-278 / March 1977
Ernest and Anna Banzhoff / 255-708 / March 1950
Francis McCardell / 230-649 / July 1945
Anna Mary McCardell, Widow / 230-648 / July 1945
J. Allen Fuss, Widor & Mabel Crowell, Widow / 230-647 / July 1945
Alexander Armstrong, Assignee / 95-39 / April 1890
Leyon Edwards, Trustee to Nathanial Freiy / 82-350 / April 1882
Jonathan Spielman / 15-205 / Sept 1860
John F Dellinger / YY-497 / August 1841
John Ash / OO-604 / June 1833
Samuel Rofs and James Shoaff / OO-603 / July 1829
James and Patsy Powell / 632-278 / March 1977
Ernest and Anna Banzhoff / 255-708 / March 1950
Francis McCardell / 230-649 / July 1945
Anna Mary McCardell, Widow / 230-648 / July 1945
J. Allen Fuss, Widor & Mabel Crowell, Widow / 230-647 / July 1945
Alexander Armstrong, Assignee / 95-39 / April 1890
Leyon Edwards, Trustee to Nathanial Freiy / 82-350 / April 1882
Jonathan Spielman / 15-205 / Sept 1860
John F Dellinger / YY-497 / August 1841
John Ash / OO-604 / June 1833
Samuel Rofs and James Shoaff / OO-603 / July 1829
