In 1771 William Spurrier opened a tavern at the intersection of the main routes linking Baltimore, Washington and Annapolis, now US 1 and MD 175. As traffic increased, it served as the first horse changing station for stages southbound from Baltimore; by 1811 the stable offered boarding for 80 horses. After 1815 owner Rosalie Stiers Calvert of Riversdale, a Belgian native, renamed the tavern 'Waterloo' to celebrate Napoleon's defeat. In 1835 a fire and competition from the new railroad put an end to the tavern, but the local area is still known by its name.