History of the Black Horse Restaurant & Tavern

The Shippen Place Hotel is the area's only full-service hotel with an on-site restaurant and room service. The Black Horse Restaurant & Tavern, located on the ground floor of the hotel, boasts fine food in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, and takes its name from a historic tavern in Shippensburg....

"The earliest mention of the Black Horse Tavern was an advertisement in the Carlisle Gazette, dated 15 February 1786. In the days when railroads were slumbering in the lap of the future, and when stagecoaches were the only public conveyances between the eastern cities and the 'backwoods,' as the whole territory then lying west of Pittsburgh was called, this house was then one of the stopping places for these coaches. Such houses, at that time, were looked upon as somewhat aristocratic, and were generally patronized by the better class of travelers. The house of Mr. Cochran was so considered, and patronized by such in its day. Although liquors were sold at its bar, neither drunkenness or rowdyism was tolerated... In the evening, the leading men of the place would assemble there to discuss the passing events of the day, and when the hour of separation came, they would have dispersed without having tasted a drop of either spirituous or fermented liquors. Such was the house kept by Patrick Cochran, and such was the character of the guests and visitors."

The Black Horse's barroom provides additional dining tables and a well-stocked bar overlooking the adjacent patio dining area behind the hotel.