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The York Tavern, circa 1830
Businessman Mark York acquired a considerable amount of
land around Rockford in the 1830s. It is believed that
he added on to an existing building to create the Mark
York Tavern, a boarding place and social center for
visiting travelers, law students and guests. Many
notables of the era were entertained at the tavern.
One of the site’s most historic moments occurred during
the Civil War only a week before Gen. Robert E. Lee’s
 April 9, 1865 surrender at Appomattox. A detachment of
Union Gen. George Stoneman’s Raiders came through Surry
County April 1-2 and rode up to the York Tavern,
where Nancy York, the wife of the proprietor, sat on
the porch churning butter. When she refused to answer an
officer’s questions, he threatened to take her son
Jasper, who was by her side. Armed only with a mother’s
iron will, Mrs. York finally spoke. She told the
officer, “You’ll play the devil,” and he left her and
her son alone. On June 5, 2007, the North Carolina Civil
War Trails Program erected a permanent marker in front
of the York Tavern. The Surry County Board of
Commissioners provided the funding for the marker. A
dedication ceremony and re-enactment of Mrs. York’s
encounter are planned for Nov. 3, 2007 at 10 a.m.
The York Tavern was donated to the Rockford Preservation
Society in 1978 by First Citizens Bank. 
The Site
Located on .60 acres, the Tavern is a two-story frame
building with interior end chimneys with corner
fireplaces and about 1,200 square feet of space. There
is a porch extending from the first and second floors
with access into the main foyer and upstairs landing.
Each floor has four rooms, and each room has a corner
fireplace enhancing its architectural charm. Although
the building was somewhat altered in the early 1900s, a
Federal-style stair, six-panel doors and several Federal
mantels remain. In extremely poor condition when donated
to the RPS, preservation efforts began in 1988. At that
time, the interior walls and some flooring were replaced
and a new sheet-metal roof was installed, enabling
the structure to remain in stable condition.
Recent Improvements
2005: The RPS repaired the Tavern’s tin roof and secured the rest of
the downstairs windows by covering them with boards. The
exterior portion of the chimneys were repointed with new
mortar.
2007: An exterior repair was made and lapboard replaced.
York Tavern Development
Plan
The development plan for this site calls for the shell
of the building to be restored for use by visitors to
the  Rockford area. The historical and architectural value of
the structure will be maintained while installing
updated electrical wiring, HVAC and insulation to meet
current standards. Once completed, visitors will enjoy
the simple design of the interior, the corner staircase
and the corner fireplaces.
With Remember Rockford funding, the entire structure
will be stabilized. Improvements will include
architecturally accurate window replacements, electrical
wiring, central HVAC, insulation and painting. Because
of space constraints, the RPS does not plan to add
plumbing for a kitchen and bathroom. Once the building
is restored, those features may be added in an attached,
second building that would be constructed at an
additional cost. There is an existing water
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