The Old Guardhouse - Haddonfield, NJ
N 39° 53.928 W 075° 01.810
18S E 497421 N 4416525
Quick Description: This house built in colonial times was used during the Rev. War as a Guard House for persons suspected of aiding the British cause & brought to trial before the Council of Safety then meeting at the Indian King. A historic marker is on the outside.
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 8/22/2009 7:52:14 AM
Waymark Code: WM7269
Views: 0
Long Description:
This is one of the more interesting buildings
lining Kings Highway East. It sits across from the Indian King
Tavern and shares similar Revolutionary War history, according to
the historical tablet placed in 1931. The Daughter of the American
Revolution are responsible for placing the historical marker on the
outside of this former prison. If not for the marker, supporting
websites and Historical Society, this important place might have
been lost to history.
I found the following excerpt in the American
Guide Series, New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past: Page
627, Tour 27. 1939
"The Old Guardhouse (private), 258 King's
Highway E., was connected with the Indian King Inn by an
underground passage. Prisoners unfriendly to the American cause
during the Revolutionary War were tried by the Council of Safety at
the inn and brought to the guardhouse through the tunnel. The house
is unpretentious, two-and-one-half-story structure of gray painted
brick."
The following information comes from the NRHP
District nomination form, created March 16, 1979, evaluated April
18, 1980 and finally approved on July 21, 1982.
"#258-260 built in the early 18th century,
used as a guardhouse during Revolutionary War. Bronze table on
center of three houses reads: "This house built in colonial times
was used during the Revolutionary War as a Guard House for persons
suspected of aiding the British cause and brought to trial before
the Council of Safety then meeting at the Indian King". Houses are
2½ story brick, now painted over. Original porch on #260. Removed
from other two. Porch has Colonial dentils, classic columns. Back
sections, frame. Original buildings have simple colonial
architecture with many of the early workmanship remaining. #256 at
the west of the three was added about 100 years later. Dormers in
gambrel roof."
If you go to this WEBSITE, you will see where are the free
parking is as well as all the historical areas. Check it out!
One last thing, here is the LINK to the Haddonfield Historical Society.
Check that out as well!
