William McCroskey was warranted 237 acres, 94 perches, located in Rye Township, Cumberland County, PA on June 2, 1762. William, his wife Ruth and children, William Jr. and Elizabeth remained in Carlisle, but they made improvements on the land and rented it out. William died in 1774 without a will and his children were still both minors. On November 20, 1777 the land was offered at Public Sale. John Riddle, a carpenter and resident of Rye Township bought the property and owned it from 1777 through 1790.
Peter Koch, Sr. purchased the property and was living there in 1793 when assessment records indicate that Peter was operating a saw mill. Early in the year 1795, Peter Koch, Sr. died. His will, dated January 22, 1795, state that the land was to be rented to the highest bidder, but his wife Margaret, could stay living there. The land was rented to George Thomas who later married the widow. John Koch remained on the land and made agreements with his mother, sisters and brother to purchase their shares. He continued operation of the saw mill and also farmed. John opened a tavern at the SIGN OF THE BLUE BALL before the end of the year 1811. The Blue Ball enjoyed a brisk trade. The tavern was a stopping place for dispatch riders during the war of 1812.
Perry County was organized on March 22, 1820 from part of Cumberland County. The Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was being built in 1823-1824. Many of the canal workers spent their evenings at the Blue Ball. A gristmill was built on the land adjoining the John Koch property about 1833-1834. John was operating a saw mill on his property in 1833. He discontinued operation of the tavern in April 1841, but continued to take in overnight lodgers. John Koch found himself in serious financial trouble in 1847 and was forced to sell his property. John’s son, William, bought half interest in his father’s property at a Sheriff’s Sale held in January of 1848.
Between 1850 and 1860 William and John decided to build two new houses on each of their properties. John removed the upper wooden structure of the Blue Ball and built a large frame house facing the new road. William built an identical house further down the road toward Newport.
John and his 2 wifies and are buried at Sulpher Spring Church, just north of the tavern. The farm was known for many years as the “Sulphur Spring Farm,” because of the sulphurous smell of water.
This is now owned by the Historical Society of Perry County.
