Historic Events Surrounding Gypsy Rose
Nestled on the bank of the Perkiomen Creek, the Gypsy Rose Hotel has stood for over 250 years at Iron Bridge, now known as Rahn's Station. The original structure, now the foyer of the restaurant, was the farmhouse of Valentine Hunsicker who immigrated from Switzerland to "Van Bebber", now Skippack.

Hunsicker, a farmer, weaver and deacon of the second Mennonite Church in the United States, built the farmhouse and outer barns in "Skippack and Perkioming" township in 1725. For the next 170 years the farm, consisting of 225 acres, was maintained and improved by the Hunsicker family.

In old deeds and records, the location of the farmhouse is referred to in various names. Originally named "Van Bebber" after the man who bought 1,000 acres from William Penn who received all land in Pennsylvania in a Grant from Charles II in 1682. The next reference to the area is in Valentine Hunsicker's will calling it "Perkioming & Skippack Township."

Both Perkiomen & Skippack are Indian terms of the Delaware and Lenape tribes who roamed this area before it was settled. Perkiomen or "Pahkehoma", according to Indian missionary Rev. David Zeisberger, signifies the place "where cranberries grow", while Skippack signifies 'a pool of water'.

General George Washington and his bedragged troops camped on both sides of the Perkiomen at Rahn's after their defeats at Brandywine and Germantown. The troops recuperated from their loses and moved into their winter quarters in Valley Forge. According to some accounts, the Hunsicker home was used as a hospital for some of the many wounded patriots.

The Perkiomen Creek, which flows beside the Gypsy Rose Hotel, is the largest stream in the country, winding through this historic valley for almost thirty miles. The Iron Bridge was built by the country in 1873. The bridge was 644 feet in length resting on 8 piers and costing nearly $40,000 to build.

At the turn of the century, the farmhouse was enlarged to allow room for boarders and the many travelers in the area. A kitchen was added in 1902 and the Lily of The Valley began functioning as one of the best hotels and restaurants in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The twentieth century has brought many changes to the hotel. It has been named the Millside Inn, the Eagle's Nest (a haunt for the nearby training camped Philadelphia Eagles) and, most recently, the Hill Creek Inn. Since 1980, with the birth of the Gypsy Rose Hotel, Gail Mitchell has tried to rekindle the original 18th century charm created by Valentine Hunsicker while maintaining a tradition of fine service and cuisine.