About Us

Our History

Our historic location was the first school in West Hanover Township, erected before 1800 and operated as the Snodgrass School prior to the Civil War.  From the mid-1800’s to the mid-1900’s it was operated as the Oak Hall School. 

Hershey restaurateur George Hoffman purchased the property in the mid-1950’s and operated the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in it until the mid-1970’s.   The property was then sold to Bill Pavone in 1975, and has become an iconic regional mainstay today known as Pavone’s Restaurant.

Look for the crease on the Lounge floor, which used to be the front porch of the one-room schoolhouse. Don’t miss the original school desk still on display, complete with inkwell.  Admire the historic pictures on the wall showing the original building and children who attended the original “charter”, or “pay school”, as it was then known, for which parents were required to pay the headmaster a penny every day for each child that attended.

Want to learn more?  Stop by Pavones today and take your own walk into the past.  Enjoy an outstanding meal and make a few new friends.   Bill will probably be around and ready to welcome you with a smile, and may even give you a private tour!

Pavone’s is much more than home to delicious fare.  It is living history, steeped in family tradition.  A place to call home, and a pleasure to visit.  

Read about Pavone’s rich history in the book “All in One”, by Marcella Thorp Emerick.

Hours

Main Dining Room

Ruby’s Lounge

Garden Room