The Evolution of Dayton's Five Corners Intersection

In 1732, the Whitlock Tavern of Dayton was built and owned by James Whitlock. He sold the business in 1750 to the Barricklo family, which started the tradition of inns at the five corners intersection.

Across the street in 1770, Thomas Wetherill opened his inn on the site where Wawa sits today. It's believed that his daughter, known as Mother Van Pelt, opened a general store adjacent to her father’s tavern.

Mother Van Pelt was well known for her ability to supply almost anything her customers requested. By 1800, Thomas Wetherill had opened a second inn in the area.

A new inn was opened in 1860 by Abraham Terhune, on the southwest corner of five corners, which is a strip mall today. Terhune’s Exchange Hotel billed itself as a summer place for city folks to get some “country air."

Customers were supplied by the railroad, and later by the Trenton Fast Trolley, in addition to travelers down Ridge Road.

In 1924, a spectacular fire took down the Exchange Hotel and several other structures in the area. Afterwards, the Wine’s Hotel (originally the Wetherill) was torn down and the five corners changed forever, leaving only Whitlock on the corner.

The closing of the Trenton Fast Trolley and the advent of the automobile eventually ended the Whitlock Tavern and paved the way for constant change on five corners.