Indian Queen Tavern (18CE62)
Site History
The Perry Point I-5 site (18CE62) is an 18th to 20th-century standing tavern located in Charlestown in Cecil County, Maryland. The property consists of the Red Lyon Tavern/Black's Store [MIHP # CE-128], a gambrel-roofed log structure constructed c. 1750, and the two-story frame Indian Queen Tavern [MIHP # CE-127], constructed c. 1740, immediately to the east. The site is listed on the Maryland Inventory, National Register, and has an easement with the Maryland Historical Trust.
Archaeological Investigations
In 1967, Glenn Little, assisted by Bill Gardner, conducted an architectural and archaeological investigation, including excavation of units in the basement of, as well as units across the front of, the "Red Lyon Tavern," the smaller gambrel-roofed building to the west. A report produced by Orlando Ridout IV reports, "Dry laid rubble stone walls underpin the log structure [CE-128] to form a cellar keeping room. The great cellar fireplace has an opening six feet in breadth. An archeological dig in the hearth area reveals seven occupational layers. The fourth level is the most intriguing for it reveals a cobblestone floor for the room. Preserving, soap making, and heavy winter housekeeping were chores performed in this room. It later served as a stock room for goods sold out of Black's Store." The report also notes, in describing the front of this building, "A pair of porch steps, resting on stone foundations, stood before these two front doors. The gambrel roof was extended from the log house across the entire new front." It is unclear whether this was an architectural or archaeological discovery.
References
n.d. "The Indian Queen" (2nd draft) on file at Maryland Historical Trust, Crownsville, MD.
