Located along the Allentown Pike in Ontelaunee Township, six miles north of Reading, the Six Mile House was more than just a tavern—it was a fixture of local travel and hospitality that stood for nearly two centuries. Constructed in the early 1770s, the inn began as Gift’s Tavern, serving stagecoach travelers on the road between Reading and Allentown.
In the mid-19th century, George B. Staudt purchased the property and breathed new life into the aging tavern through extensive revitalization. He renamed it the Six Mile House to reflect its location—precisely six miles north of Reading’s city line. Staudt undertook major renovations and officially obtained a liquor license, transforming what had been an unlicensed roadside inn into a legitimate and reputable public house. His improvements solidified the building’s reputation, and it soon became a popular stop for both locals and long-distance travelers alike.
From Stagecoach Stop to Roadside Landmark
Situated at the junction of Blandon Road and the Allentown Pike (Route 222), the Six Mile House evolved with the times. With its sturdy 18-inch-thick stone walls, it housed nine guest rooms and two baths upstairs, with a barroom, dining room, and kitchen on the ground floor. It served drovers, wagoners, stagecoach passengers, and later motorists well into the 20th century.
By the postwar era, the inn was operated by Richard “Chick” Norman, who took over the business in 1947. Known to locals for his hospitality and reliability, Norman maintained the character of the Six Mile House while keeping pace with the evolving needs of travelers. He lived onsite and managed the daily operation of the tavern, which had by then become a cherished community fixture as well as a stopping point for drivers heading north toward Lehigh County.
Highway Widening and Early Threats (1941)
In 1941, modernization arrived at the doorstep of the Six Mile House in the form of a major Pennsylvania Department of Highways project. The state began widening the Allentown Pike from the Reading city line northward to the Half Way House near Tuckerton Road. The result was a widened three- and four-lane concrete highway, separated by a raised median…