Experience the Union Canal House, a rural hideaway offering travelers overnight accommodations, tempting food and refreshing drink since the 1700's.
		The Union Canal House offers seven rooms, all with private bath. Tastefully decorated in Pennsylvania Colonial style, each room is equipped with color TV and sleeps up to four people. Also available for nightly and weekly lodging, is a fully appointed apartment suite. Guests may look forward to the comforts of the living room, bedroom, kitchen, bath and Jacuzzi during their stay.
						Whitney Simmons & Sterl Simmons Proprietors
		The Union Canal House is only minutes away from all the fun of Hersheypark, the Hershey Arena which is the home of the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, and a stage for many concerts and shows. Adjacent to Hersheypark and the Arena is the Parkview golf course, one of the best public courses in the country.
		The famous “Ye Olde Tavern” of song and story really exists. Right in Union Deposit, PA, a small village, a stone’s throw from Hershey, but perhaps a century away in its “old days” atmosphere. If a patron from the 1700’s were to return, he would find little change but the name, for “Ye Olde Tavern” is called the Union Canal House.
		Together with a frontier fort, called Fort Swatara, Ye Olde Tavern was one of the first buildings in what is now the town of Union Deposit.
		The fort and hostelry were built long before the town was established, and long before the Union Canal was constructed and filled with water. In the early days, the French and Indian War was probably the prime topic of conversation among the patrons. Later, it was undoubtedly the progress of the Revolution. Indians owned the land in the area, and lived here until late in the 1700’s, according to some sources. At the time, Pennsylvania was still frontier. Soldiers billeted at Fort Swatara, just across the street, and were among the restaurant’s first patrons.
		Still existing downstairs at the Union Canal House is a tunnel, which runs under Hanover Street to the site of the old fort. Tradition has it that during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, soldiers at the fort used the tunnel for access to the food, bottles of spirits and buckets of cold, foamy beer served at Ye Olde Tavern.
		It has been speculated that icy-cold, "frosted" beer mugs originated at Ye Olde Tavern, possibly to keep the brew cold on its trip through the tunnel. Though today’s visitors to Union Canal House and Union Deposit would doubt it, the village was the center of bustling activity in its heyday. Farmers brought their grain and other produce from the Pennsylvania Dutch area here for shipment to the market via the Canal.
		In the center of this rich agricultural area, Ye Olde Tavern was able to obtain the finest foodstuffs to serve. A great anthracite furnace was turning out tons of iron, as well. The town grew to rival Harrisburg, according to historical records. But, the hustle-bustle ended with resounding finality – the furnace blew up. Then, for the most part, the Canal was filled in.
		Currently listing a population of only about 480, Union Deposit has seen its day of frantic activity, and seems to prefer today’s serene atmosphere.
		At the Union Canal House, surviving from yesteryear is the tradition of fine food, service, and hospitality. Also surviving is the tradition of solid value. A tender and juicy steak, or a tempting seafood entrée at the restaurant is till yours. An excellent of domestic and imported wines are also moderately priced. Reservations may be made by calling (717) 566-0054.