Swan Tavern
The Swan Tavern was the most prominent tavern in Yorktown during the 18th century opened for business around 1722 under the ownership of Thomas Nelson and Joseph Walker.
The tavern was strategically located one block from the town’s thriving waterfront and across the street from the county courthouse.
The tavern closed prior to the Civil War, and by 1862, occupying Union forces were storing munitions in the building. On the night of December 16, 1863, a fire destroyed the tavern in one massive explosion. The Swan Tavern was reconstructed in 1935 by the National Park Service.