The original Washington House, from which today's luxury condominium complex takes its name, was an historic inn. It was built in 1838 on the approximate site of what was once the village Market House, a structure reputedly significant in Newark's application for corporate privileges. Those privileges, dating from April 13, 1758, were initially conveyed by George II, King of England.

Perhaps that historic cachet was part of the reason Washington House remained both popular and highly regarded throughout the remainder of the 19th century. At that time, there were very few local establishments offering both lodging and food and refreshment served in an atmosphere that would be considered fine dining by the standards of the times. In fact, 19th-century Washington House was on a par with today's first-class hotels.

As the building became more antiquated, however, its reputation for fine dining and lodgings began to decline. The original wooden structure was lost to a contemporary facelift in the early 20th century. It was covered with a stone and stucco façade that endured until the building fell to a wrecking ball in 2006. But a lot of history was written before that event took place.

By the mid-20th century, Washington House was more flophouse than boarding house, more sandwich-menu taproom than four-star restaurant. According to Newark Historical Society director Bob Thomas, Washington House morphed into Jimmy's Tavern for a brief period in the mid-1960s. A few years later, the name changed again to Merrill's Tavern and Package Store. When visionary and UD dropout Bill Stevenson bought the building in 1971, Washington House was lost to what many would argue was a greater claim to fame. The following year, 1972, ushered in The Stone Balloon. Although Stevenson wasn't old enough to qualify for a liquor license (it was in his mother's name instead), had no experience running a bar, and knew next to nothing about the music business, he had a dream and plenty of determination. At a time when downtown Newark was in a serious economic decline and numerous shops along Main Street were closing, Stevenson parlayed his investment into what was arguably Delaware's greatest rock n' roll bar. His plan from the beginning was to feature only live music— - primarily local bands that would generate good music and lots of fun.

Within just a few year's time, the Stone Balloon put Newark on the map as a prime destination for live rock music concerts, six nights a week. It was such a phenomenal success that Stevenson constructed three additions, expanding the site to Delaware Avenue. A good night at the Stone Balloon drew 1,000 people.

Before his luck ran out and he sold the bar in 1985, Stevenson brokered deals that brought rock legends to Newark. Among them were Bruce Springteen, Pat Benetar, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Manhattan Transfer, The Pointer Sisters, and Hall and Oates. Many of the local bands Stevenson promoted through the Stone Balloon owed their success to the venue that generated thousands of fans. Among other traditions it inspired, the bar became every UD student's rite of passage into legal drinking age.

The Stone Balloon survived a steep decline in popularity in the late '80s, and even endured a name change to the Main Street Cabaret before it was rescued by subsequent owners who managed to revive the glory days. Mostly it featured bands that were either on their way up or their way down, never bands at their peak unless those top bands happened to be passing through Delaware on their way to New York or Washington and needed to fill a concert tour quota. Metallica and the Dave Mathews Band were two such fortuitous events at the Balloon. The Rolling Stones was a near miss.

By 2005, it was clear the Stone Balloon had run its course. Newark was a different town, and it was time to go with the flow. "In any story you can turn the page," said developer Jim Baeurle, last owner of the Stone Balloon, "and that's what happened here. The site has come full circle with a new Washington House."