Though the house is now a private residence, it came into existence
in 1742 and operated as a tavern for over 100 years until 1847. The
Snodgrass Tavern operated from about the years 1760-1850 during
which time many famous visitors stayed – including a visit in
1784 by General George Washington. It was purchased by the Fuss
family in 1868 and remains today with their descendants. Portions
of the log house and outbuildings date to the 1740s. Strategically
located along Back Creek and what was the original old Warm Springs
Road from Alexandria to Bath.
Dr. Joseph E. Snodgrass (1813-1884) grew up at the Tavern and
later moved to Baltimore where he was a Doctor and aspiring writer.
He and Edgar Allen Poe became close friends and colleagues.
Dr. Snodgrass wrote extensively about growing up in Hedgesville
and passed down much of the history we now know about the
“Snodgrass Tavern”.
**The Snodgrass Tavern operated from about the years 1760-1850
during which time many famous visitors stayed – including a
visit in 1784 by General George Washington. It was purchased by the
Fuss family in 1868 and remains today with their descendants.
George Washington wrote in his diary on September 5, 1784 that
he “dispatched [my] wagon (with the baggage) at daylight and
at 7 o’clock followed it. Halted at one Snodgrasses on Back
Creek and dined there.”
Henry Clay also visited at one time on his way to Bath (Berkeley
Springs).
The Snodgrass Tavern was up and running while Edgar Allen Poe
was alive, and its owner Dr. Joseph E. Snodgrass was a close friend
to Poe, It is very likely Poe also visited the tavern.
The current owner of Snodgrass Tavern, Dawn Gonano, says it is
rumored that Edgar Allen Poe did indeed stay there, and that he
wrote the poem “The Raven” during his visit. After
Gonano’s great-great-grandfather bought the tavern from
Snodgrass and turned it into a private home and farm for his
family, she says, Snodgrass would often come back to visit and tell
stories about his experiences with Poe.
Many famous and non famous people found this historical small
rural tavern on there routes from all over. You can find the
building near the northeast side of the bridge that crosses Back
Creek on W.Va. Route 9.
Now is your time to locate the Snodgrass Tavern and this cache,
although the residence is private and off limits this cache in view
of the tavern is open for business.
You can find the cache along the souththeast side and just
beyond the bridge that crosses Back Creek on W.Va. Route 9.
Parking coordinates N 39* 33.376’ W 078* 00.998’ are
along busy Route 9 but you can safely far enough off the road
here.
Please do not attempt to pull off here when heading WEST as this
area is along a turn and could create an accident. There are
several locations ahead you can turn around and come back.
Finding this cache will take you on a short hike from the
parking coordinates, no need to go toward the creek. You will stay
safely away from the busy road but Stealth will be required as you
will be in full view of Traffic along Route 9.
The cache you seek is a small Lock-n-Lock with room for a Log
Book, Swag and a Writing Utensil. Room for Travel Bugs with Smaller
Travelers and Coins for an easy cache and dash.