Long before William Penn began to settle Pennsylvania, this exact site was known as “Saint Anthony’s Wilderness” Due to the narrow valleys and steep ridges, early settlers could not cultivate the landscape into farmland using the fanning techniques familiar to them in their native Europe. For this reason the area was left unsettled for many years.

There were only a few Indian trails that crossed through the area in those virgin years. One trail now known as Route 309 was known then as the Nanticoke Trail.  In those days trails and roads such as these were referred to as state highways, or turnpikes.

Sand Springs was the name given to the natural spring fed pond located to the rear of where the present Stage Coach Inn now stands. This site served as an overnight stop for travelers on The Beaver Meadows Stage Coach Line. The stage coach departed Beaver Meadows making a stop in Hazelton, and then continued its journey to Wilkes-Barre. The trip from Beaver Meadows to this point along the way, “Sand Springs”, took approximately 5 hours in the early 1800’s.

In 1946, Peter and Ester Solutko built a restaurant on the site near Sand Springs and called it the Stage Coach Inn, because of the history connected to the site. In 1969 it was purchased by Russell and Helen Mucklow, who operated the Inn till 1987.

In 1988 the Stage Coach Inn was purchased by Ed and Betty Deets of Mountaintop, Pa. After extensive renovation and improvement, the new Inn was opened on February 12th, 1988. The new owners pledge to continue in this fine tradition, and add a “Touch of Class” to this landmark establishment. Bon Appetite!