About Us

The records at Howard County Historical Society trace this Inn to 1755 and show that it was sitting on 100 acres owned by Henry Pierpont, a Quaker. Pierpont patented "The Search" of 98 acres. The patent later became a deed to the property.

The magnificent white oak outside was certified by mdbigtrees.org in 2023 with No. BT-4379 and official measurements of 80‘ high and 204" circumference. It was determined that the tree was planted circa 1787, when the U.S. Constitution was signed at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in American history.

Believe it or not, the locals told a different story both in person and in print about the early period. They asserted that the house was a local roadside inn known as Wayside Inn. It was close to the main road that ran from Washington to Ellicott City and on to Baltimore. Many people traveling on that road would have stopped here for a room and a hot meal on their way to and from one of those towns. Local lore asserted one of those many travelers was one George Washington. A law firm, which tried to lease this inn but failed, also asserted that John Quincy Adams, the 6th U.S. President, was a visitor. A pair of traveling scholars of the period told a former innkeeper that they had no doubt at all that George Washington visited as he would have passed by many times and it would have been considered rude not to at least stop by to pay his respects to the owner.

The October 2024 edition of Washingtonian magazine listed Wayside Inn as the leading one of the Mid-Atlantic’s "haunted" hotels and inns.

Historical artifacts and information about the early innkeepers are available here: waysideinnmd.blogspot.com (References)

In 1998, David and Susan Balderson purchased the Inn and began the first renovation to the interior right away. The entire interior was repaired and painted, new woodwork was mounted throughout the Inn, and two talented interior designers went to work furnishing the new Inn with federal period antiques and reproductions. Plasterers, painters, electricians and plumbers all joined in bringing the Inn up to code. The first three rooms opened to the public in late 1999 with the fourth bedroom coming on board for Valentine’s weekend in February of 2000.

In September of 2003, the Baldersons began the next major renovation with the construction of a three-story addition and the complete renovation of the second floor of the Inn. This added, among other things, three brand new bathrooms on that floor: No more shared bathrooms! This new addition was launched with a grand re-opening in June of 2004. County Executive Jim Robey joined the Baldersons in cutting the ribbon on the “new” Inn.

The current Innkeeper Joe Xu successfully led the Inn to survive through the Covid pandemic from March 2020 to mid-2021. Joe devotes himself to preserving the Inn and providing the best hospitality that every guest would expect. He particularly enjoys greeting the repeat guests, and the descendants, relatives and friends of the past owners.

Visit of dignitaries in June 2021 to show support for the small businesses. From left: Mr. Lawrence Twele, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority; Ms. Amanda Hof, Executive Director of Howard County Tourism; Dr. Calvin Ball, County Executive; The Honorable Christopher Van Hollen, U.S. Senator; Mr. Joe Xu, Innkeeper.

Visit from Senator Van Holland and County Executive Calvin Ball.