Suter's Tavern
Encyclopedia
Suter's Tavern, also known officially as The Fountain Inn, was a tavern
located in Georgetown
, which later became part of Washington, D.C.
, and it served as Georgetown's best-known hostelry until the emergence of several newer taverns in the 1790s.
John Suter established the tavern in the late 18th century in Georgetown on Fishing Lane, near today's intersection of 31st and K Streets, NW. Though the precise location of the tavern is not entirely clear, it is known to have been located about two blocks southwest of the Old Stone House
, where Mr. Suter's son, John Jr., resided. The building that housed the tavern has been described as a small building, one and half stories, with a large inn yard in back to accommodate coaches and wagons. Suter continued to operate this tavern until his death in 1794, after which his wife continued running it until early 1796. By February of that year, Clement Sewall had taken over operations of the Fountain Inn, but by December 1796, he had left to operate the newly-built City Tavern (now the City Tavern Club
). Eventually, Suter's Fountain Inn became an oyster-house and ultimately disappeared without record.
George Washington
and other notable residents frequented the tavern, which was the site of land deals involved in establishing Washington as the "Federal City".
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
located in Georgetown
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
, which later became part of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and it served as Georgetown's best-known hostelry until the emergence of several newer taverns in the 1790s.
John Suter established the tavern in the late 18th century in Georgetown on Fishing Lane, near today's intersection of 31st and K Streets, NW. Though the precise location of the tavern is not entirely clear, it is known to have been located about two blocks southwest of the Old Stone House
Old Stone House (Washington, D.C.)
The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington, D.C., United States. The house is also Washington's last Pre-Revolutionary Colonial building on its original foundation. Built in 1765, Old Stone House is located at 3051 M Street, Northwest in the Georgetown neighborhood...
, where Mr. Suter's son, John Jr., resided. The building that housed the tavern has been described as a small building, one and half stories, with a large inn yard in back to accommodate coaches and wagons. Suter continued to operate this tavern until his death in 1794, after which his wife continued running it until early 1796. By February of that year, Clement Sewall had taken over operations of the Fountain Inn, but by December 1796, he had left to operate the newly-built City Tavern (now the City Tavern Club
City Tavern Club
The City Tavern Club is a private club in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C., USA. It is housed in the City Tavern, one of the oldest buildings and the last remaining Federal-period tavern in the city.-City Tavern Association:...
). Eventually, Suter's Fountain Inn became an oyster-house and ultimately disappeared without record.
George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and other notable residents frequented the tavern, which was the site of land deals involved in establishing Washington as the "Federal City".