The James Buchanan Pub – Restaurant & Hotel

DINING

The Pub dining area has a warm candlelit ambiance with English tables, brass candlesticks, original tin ceilings, and a collection of eclectic paintings and prints. A strong European flavor is present and enhanced with our outdoor courtyard which is available for seasonal dining.

LODGING

Relax and unwind in our historic hotel

Our circa 1796 hotel is steeped in history, being the boyhood home of our nation’s 15th President, James Buchanan. The Pub dining area has a warm candlelit ambiance with English tables, brass candlesticks, original tin ceilings, and a collection of eclectic paintings and prints. A strong European flavor is present and enhanced with our outdoor courtyard which is available for seasonal dining. Each of our 8 rooms includes queen beds complete with 360-400 count cotton linens, down pillows & comforters, private bath, flat screen TV, blow dryers, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi access. The aromas of lavender & Romania’s “queen of the night” fill our courtyard makes it the perfect spot to dine or just relax with a glass of your favorite wine.

A Brief History

In 1796, James Buchanan Sr. purchased a large lot in Mercersburg, and built a two-story brick house to serve both as a home and a place of business. The senior Buchanan moved his family into this location in 1797. After an early childhood life at “Stony Batter,” life in Mercersburg proved much more genteel and orderly. The community had only several dozen houses and was entirely Scottish. Buchanan’s father opened a store, in what is now the Pub, and introduced young James to the problem of keeping things accounted for and in their proper places. By the time James was 10 years of age, his father was one of Mercersburg’s leading businessmen. The senior Buchanan’s philosophy of life “The more you know of mankind, the more you will distrust them,” gave him the reputation of being a very “hard businessman” in the small community. When Buchanan was sixteen he left Mercersburg to attend Dickinson College. The Buchanan home in Mercersburg later became ” Hotel Mercer.”The hotel at a later date was sold to J.O. Carson, and became the possession of the McAfee Bros. after their hotel burned. The Brothers refitted the two-story building and added an additional story for the hotel needs. After a few years the hotel was sold to C.W. McLaughlin. During the McLaughlin years of ownership the present Pub area was fondly known as “The McLaughlin Drug Store” or “Jacks” Drug Store as all the locals knew it. The present owners, Judy & Catalin Bonciu purchased the hotel in 1988.The hotel is open daily to accommodate overnight guests.

JAMES BUCHANAN HOTEL, PUB & RESTAURANT