The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)

Fountain House
The Fountain House in 2010
The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) is located in Pennsylvania
The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)
The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) is located in the United States
The Fountain House (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)
LocationState and Main Sts., Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°18′36″N 75°7′51″W / 40.31000°N 75.13083°W / 40.31000; -75.13083
Arealess than one acre
Built1758
Architectural styleLate Victorian
NRHP reference No.72001095[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 16, 1972

The Fountain House is a historic tavern building located in the borough of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in the central commercial district. The four-story building is a major landmark of the Bucks County area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1]

History

The Fountain House, Ca 1850–1880

The Fountain House was one of seven taverns in pre-revolutionary Doylestown. It was constructed by William Doyle, the founder of Doylestown. The first part of the building was constructed in 1758. Owned by a Tory during the American Revolutionary War, it was seized by government authorities and sold at auction. Throughout the 19th century, The Fountain House hosted, in addition to a tavern, the first Doylestown post office, and a stagecoach line connecting Philadelphia and Easton.[2]

Construction

The Fountain House, built primarily in the Victorian style, has gone through a number of changes.

  • 1758: Original stone structure built
  • 1830: Third story added
  • 1849: Two additional structures built on either side
  • 1876: Gabled Roof replaced with Mansard Roof
  • 1971: Restored

Current occupants

Currently, The Fountain House hosts several business occupants, including a Starbucks coffee shop which occupies the entire first floor. Several law offices and apartments are located on the second and third floors. It is a major social gathering location in Doylestown. The town's Christmas Tree is placed in front of the building annually.

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Pennsylvania Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks (July 1971). National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pennsylvania SP Fountain House. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved December 10, 2025. (Downloading may be slow.)