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We imagine ourselves to be so innovational and ingenuitive. After all, with just a push of a button our car cruises down the highway. With a command from across the room to our ever-listening Alexa (via our Echo Dot,) we have a world of knowledge at our disposal. We can even pick up our morning coffee while still in our pajamas and slippers without anyone knowing, as we pull up to the drive-through window and place our order. It turns out, however, that the convenience of the drive-thru window came to Mifflin County long before the fast-food giants introduced them to our community.
Mifflin County's first drive-thru window was actually installed at the Peacock Major's Tavern in 1803 (by the way I wish someone would open a business with this name to keep it alive, it is so great!). This tavern was located at the corner of North Main and Third streets. The original building was constructed of logs, and it is reported that there was an opening on the North Main Street side that allowed its customers to order and receive their provisions, namely grog (liquor cut with water) without dismounting from their horses! It puts a whole new spin on the term drinking and driving. It is also reported that Mrs. Peacock, whom I am assuming to be the more levelheaded of the pair, decided it was not a particularly safe practice and had the window boarded up. The tavern was also credited for introducing oysters to the community as a new culinary delicacy.
The tavern was described as being quite the lively place where topics of the day were discussed by sports enthusiasts, literary types, politicians, and soldiers of the Revolution (Major Peacock was one of these American Revolution soldiers.) As I glance out my office window in the Historic Courthouse, just down the street from this site, it is easy to envision the din as discussions turned passionate and sometimes heated. There was a story told that even Chief Logan, of the Mingo tribe, as well as other friendly indigenous people of the area, would stop at the inn to participate in these discussions. What I wouldn't give to be sitting in that tavern, meeting these colorful local figures that played such an integral part in our local history.
Major Peacock died in 1829, the same year the first canal boat came through Lewistown. After the original log structure was demolished in 1880, a new brick structure was erected that remains in that location today. I love taking backward glances. It gives me a better understanding of what was, a deeper appreciation of what is, and instills a hope of what can be.
If you too enjoy reading about our local history, check out the collection of Mifflin County Historical Society books available for purchase at our offices located inside the Historic Courthouse on the square in downtown Lewistown.
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Rhonda Kelley is executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.