History of Salem Creekside Inn

Where the Bristol Pike crosses the Neshaminy Creek, just off the highway stands a beautifully landscaped property that houses a contemporary 5 bedroom Inn.

Originally, known as “The Ford Inn or Holly Tree Inn”, this historical piece of property was originally constructed between 1760 and 1770 and owned by John Paxson. This site was home to an Inn in the Revolutionary days. During the time of Washington’s encampment on the Neshaminy there was a goodly company of famous men to take advantage of the hospitality of the Inn, and some very forlorn foot-sore soldiers passed its portals.

The legend of the Ford Inn is that at School House Run Bridge a ghost could be seen at night. The Indian spring and Christ Church, Eddington, and the cedar grove in the ancient graveyard, the village store, and the remains of wall and logs of the floating raft bridge are described below:

“A pure white spirit oftentimes is seen,
She sometimes wanders all along the shore;
Sometimes off the rocks, she seems to look,
For something in the waters.”

The quaint roomed house, under the sycamore, was the home of the legendary ghost. At the Ford Inn Washington and Lafayette were sheltered, and a window pane showed the name of Hancock cut on it with a diamond. The host was farmer and inn-keeper combined, who had been a Revolutionary Soldier. A little daughter blessed the home, and learned the faith of Christ, and beheld the works in the flowers about her. Rev. John Talbot, who has been thought a non-juring Bishop, served at St. James’s Church, Bristol, where the child was taught her Christian lore. The yellow fever scourge in Philadelphia brings a lady to the rustic inn for refuge. The lady and her daughter depart. Afterward, among the rocks, on the shore, near Farley, the gentle Ellen and her father find a sportsman who had been injured by falling in leaping from his boat. He loves Ellen and marries her, and a son blesses the union. The husband dies, and the wife bears her cross with Christ. The grandmother desires to take charge of the child, and mother refuses with a mother’s love, though wealth would have surrounded the son with luxury. The young widow lived across the stream from the inn, and one night visited her parents, leaving the child with his nurse. On her return the parents hear a cry of agony, and the nurse and child are gone, a carriage having borne them suddenly away. The bereaved mother finds comfort in prayer. “One sweet Lord’s Day “she died, kneeling at the channel rail, having just received “the hallowed Bread and Wine,” and fed on heavenly food.

“The Pastor came and found that she was dead,
Oh, how the tears of Christians fell that day!
Oh, how they thanked God for her good release!
And so she went to her eternal rest.”

Known today as the “Salem Creekside Inn, owned by Anita Carter and Bill Rushton, the Inn has taken on a more glorious and contemporary style. At the Inn you will find a sense of warmth and a calming atmosphere. Surrounded by beautiful trees, glistening ponds and the view of the Neshaminy Creek, it is a home away from home.

The Salem Creekside Inn encourages you to come and stay in one of the five newly renovated rooms at the Inn. Several intimate gathering areas for wedding or baby showers, reunions, tea parties, birthday parties and any other events that you are considering. We also have the grounds to host Weddings and portraits on our beautifully landscaped property. We may be reached at 215 384-4094.

 Breakfast

The Inn provides their guest with a comfortable stay and will accommodate their needs.  The guest will be served a full country style breakfast that satisfies any appetite and pleases the pallet.  Breakfasts are served in the Dining Room or privately on the enclosed sun room for all seasons or outside in our seasonal gazebo. Breakfasts are served between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Marvelous water life: sailboats, speed boats, fishing boats and exquisite sunrises surrounded by lush greenery. In each season nature transforms life. Area is inhabited by blue herons, hummingbirds, red tail hawk, falcons and migrating birds. Bird watchers can find their feathered friends in secluded habitat. Binoculars for lend. Relax and enjoy the beauty of nature and get away from it all!