On August 9, 1918, Senator Philander C. Knox wrote in a letter from his Valley Forge farm that “a few patriotic citizens” demonstrated their antipathy to anything German. These citizens took it upon themselves to shoot up the old sign board at the King of Prussia Inn.
Because of the declaration of war against Germany in 1917, there was heavy anti-German sentiment which affected all areas of the nation, including Upper Merion.
The National Guard was called out to protect transportation. A unit was even posted on Barbadoes Island in the Schuylkill to protect railroad bridges and stations.
Recruiting depots opened and home guard units were organized. When the men left for service, communities customarily gave them enthusiastic sendoffs.
During this period, gasless Sundays were observed and sugar hoarding was the practice. Many schools even dropped their courses in German.
German and anti-German sentiment went even further in Upper Merion. The inn was then referred to as “Ye Old King Inn.” Some residents went even further by no longer registering themselves as being from King of Prussia and the village was referred to as Reesville.
With the return of peace, the hostility ceased and the inn and the village names were restored.
