The fire started in the restaurant in back of the property, the Coach Room, around 5 a.m. Monday, according to Chief Todd Bowen. Watch video
BRIDGETON -- Older than the city itself, the Hillcrest Tavern was torn down Monday afternoon after a devastating fire made the building unsafe.
The fire started in the restaurant in back of the property, the Coach Room, around 5 a.m. Monday, according to Chief Todd Bowen of the Bridgeton Fire Department.
Approximately 80 firefighters and emergency workers responded to the three-alarm fire and Broad Street was closed to traffic until noon.
Henry Hann built his tavern in 1782 as a place to stop for people traveling on Kings Highway -- which is a stagecoach route that traveled from Trenton to Cape May, according to Cumberland County's website.
The two-story building, with its white facade and overhanging porch, was an icon of Bridgeton and a popular restaurant destination.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
