Many recall the infamous move of the King of Prussia Inn on Sunday, August 20, 2000, from it’s isolated location on a small slice of land between the north and south lanes of US 202 to its present home on Bill Smith Boulevard.
Here are some other stories – prior to the move – that may not be as familiar:
In March, 1953, efforts to save the historic King of Prussia Inn were linked with an effort by the Pennsylvania Roadside Council to institute new safety measures on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. They suggested a plan whereby the 18th century landmark could serve as a roadside rest and information center for turnpike motorists.
The council had previously suggested the construction of roadside rests on the toll road itself to provide drivers relief from the tedium of driving 327 miles on smooth concrete across the state.
When that part of the toll road was built the old inn was in danger of demolition. However, Route 202 was designed to bypass the inn leaving it isolated on a traffic “island.”
Then in October, 1992 the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the King of Prussia Chamber of Commerce and Howard Johnson’s were negotiating to jointly buy the King of Prussia Inn from the state. New ownership would also mean a new location with plans to move the building across the street to the hotel property, on Route 202 and Gulph Road. PennDot was reportedly studying the legal aspects of a sale and the requirements by the National Register of Historical Places. The Historical Society was hoping to use part of the building as a museum when it was relocated. That didn’t happen.
By 1997, the King of Prussia Chamber of Commerce was seeking volunteers to help move and restore the inn. They had one year to raise the money. Plans were to create a living museum and town center.
The Chamber published several ads inviting people to watch the 278 year old 350 ton historic King of Prussia Inn move 1/4 mile on July 4, 1998. However, there was another change in plans.
After dealing with the discovery of asbestos in the building and other complications, the move date was delayed again. Then in August, 1999, an architectural study of the building showed that due to decay, the inn had started to move itself. Walls were cracking and one even broke free from its supports. Consideration was given to a change in move strategy, to take it apart and reconstruct it at its future home. Turned out that was not necessary.
At least the obstacle of cost was overcome. The chamber raised all of the estimated $400,000 needed to restore the inn. PennDot agreed several years prior to foot the bill for the move – if the chamber could pay for renovation.
The King of Prussia Inn was saved!
You can read more about the King of Prussia Inn’s move at our previous posts: 15 Year Anniversary of King of Prussia Inn’s Move and King of Prussia Inn’s Historic Move.
