Milestone 29 just east of the 1709 Ashbridge house.
*Banner Images were taken at the Mill at Anselma, sometimes known as The Lightfoot Mill. Starting at left they include, the day the balloons landed next to the mill, looking into the water wheel pit, third from left the spring-house (in foreground) night millers house at left and mill behind tree. Fourth from left the mill itself Use the links to learn more about the mill and its wonderful history or to plan a visit.
http://www.myspace.com/themillatanselma
http://sites.google.com/site/anselmamarket/
http://www.anselmamill.org/mill.htm
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At left, the cleaned up 29 Milestone and above, the Wealot guys in 2009. The half circle scar on the right side of the stone also appears in the 1950's picture.
The Ashbridge House is also known as the Baldwin-Sharpless House after John Baldwin and K. Sharpless. It is believed that Elizabeth Sharpless married an Ashbridge and the house was a gift from her father.
Who put the jug on the Kersey House?
Between the 29th and 30th milestones is the Kersey House nicknamed the Jug House. In 1804 Joshua Kersey, a staunch Quaker had a house built on the South side of the Pike. According to local custom, the stone masons expected to receive a gill (4 to 8 oz. of rum) at the end of each work day and a double portion when the job was done. Kersey was against alcohol consumption as part of his religious beliefs and denied the stone masons their rum. The masons according to local legend got even by carving a piece of stone in the shape of a jug and putting it in the front facade where everyone could see it for all eternity. Thus the nickname , the jug house. It is located at 726 East Lancaster Avenue and is now a funeral home. This story is taken from A History of Downingtown by Jane Davidson published in 1982
The George Washington Inn was around long before the Turnpike. It had been the (John) Downing Hotel, The Stage Office and The King in Arms before it became the G. W. Inn. it was famous for its sign that featured George Washington standing next to a civilian. One of the reasons it prospered was its excellent location being a the intersection where the road from Lionville came into town. The old Inn is now the home of Pook and Pook, Inc. who conduct auctions and appraisals.
A hybrid map with the salmon colored stickpin showing the general location of Milestone 29. The grey roof to the left, West, of the stickpin is the Ashbridge House.