The well in the lounge dates back to the 1739 building, which burned down in 1771. The last week of September in 1777, the hotel hosted many weary Philadelphians who were part of the 700 wagon train on its way to Lancaster transporting the Continental Congress. Among those who watched the wagon train were John Luther Styer who lived In a log cabin where the garage now stands. John Styer helped row George Washington across the Delaware just 9 months previously. He would be remembered in Emanuel Leutz’s painting of the event.

In 1859, the Oregon Territory became a state and the tiny town of Catfish and the hotel changed their name to Oregon to celebrate the event.