The Pennsylvania House stands along the National Road in Springfield, looking much the same as when it was built in 1839.

Taverns and inns played an important role in Ohio’s development, particularly in the days prior to travel by railroad and interstate highways. In the first half of the 19th century, the fastest way from place to place was by horseback, stagecoach or animal-conveyed wagon. Particularly on the National Road, built in the 1820s to 1830s, these structures were essential. In those days, taverns, inns and drover’s houses provided places to eat, sleep, stable livestock and socialize with fellow travelers. For an in-depth and interesting look at the National Road’s impact on Ohio and the nation, visit the National Road-Zane Grey Museum in Norwich.

Black Diamond Tavern – The Black Diamond Tavern was constructed in 1877 with the ground floor used as a saloon and the upstairs as a brothel. The building housed a bank until it closed in 1933; in the 1940s the Shawnee Grill was located there. Since then, the building has been used as bars under various ownerships. Black Diamond Tavern offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches and burgers, along with great beer and handcrafted cocktails. 106 W. Main St., Shawnee (740) 823-1988.

Black Horse Inn – The Black Horse Inn, currently undergoing preservation work, is located in Morristown near the National Road (US 40). Built around 1807 as Duncan Morrison’s tavern, it was reputed to be part of the Underground Railroad. It also operated as the Horner House, Wright Hotel and Shriver Hotel prior to being known as the Black Horse Inn. 203 Cross St., Morristown (740) 782-1688.

The Buxton Inn – The Buxton Inn, in operation since 1812, has been open for more than 200 years as a restaurant and inn. It is famed as a stop on the Underground Railroad and for reportedly being haunted. Enjoy fine cuisine, cocktails and charming overnight accommodations. A fire recently forced temporary closure for repairs. 313 East Broadway, Granville (740) 587-0001.

The Golden Lamb – Ohio’s longest continually operating business, The Golden Lamb was established in 1803. This historic restaurant, tavern and stagecoach inn has hosted many notable guests, including 12 U.S. presidents and legendary figures of the past two centuries, from Mark Twain and Charles Dickens to Neil Armstrong and Alex Haley. You can still enjoy fine dining and overnight stays at Ohio’s most historic stop. 27 S. Broadway, Lebanon (513) 932-5065.

The Granville Inn – The Granville Inn, established in 1924, was originally a home built in 1865, at one time known as Bryn Du. The facility now offers fine dining, cocktails, accommodations and event space, and is adjacent to the Denison Golf Club. 314 E. Broadway, Granville (740) 587-3333.

Harmar Tavern – The Harmar Tavern is a longtime Marietta institution and a neighborhood gathering place that almost never closes. The tavern is home of its “Sure To Be Famous” fried bologna sandwich; serves breakfast. 205 Maple St., Marietta (740) 373-8727. Connect on Facebook.

Headley Inn – This solid sandstone tavern was built in 1833 as a stagecoach stop on the National Road and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Headley Inn is now operated as a winery, vineyard and bed & breakfast. 5345 West Pike, west of Zanesville on US 40 (740) 487-1446.

Headley Inn was built in 1833 as a National Road tavern and stagecoach stop that is now a winery, vineyard and inn.

The Hitching Post Saloon – The Hitching Post Saloon is the oldest saloon in Ohio, dating back to 1817. They serve all your favorite beverages as well as hot and cold sandwiches, tacos and burritos, burgers and sliders, appetizers, hand-cut fries and desserts. 4319 Hamilton Richmond Road, Oxford (513) 255-9256. Connect on Facebook.

Hotel Millersburg & Tavern – Hotel Millersburg & Tavern has been serving up hospitality since 1847. Built in 1830, the hotel began operation in 1847 and is the third-oldest operating hotel and tavern in Ohio. The hotel’s elegant Lincoln Room was built in 1898. The hotel’s Brickyard Tavern was built in 1894. 35 W. Jackson St., Millersburg (330) 674-1457.

The Lafayette Hotel – The Bellevue Hotel was built on this site in 1892 and was destroyed by fire in 1916. The current Lafayette Hotel was reopened in 1918 and renamed in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited Marietta in 1825. The hotel’s 77 uniquely themed guest rooms and the hotel’s signature Gun Room Restaurant display interesting historical artifacts. 101 Front St., Marietta (800) 331-9336.

The Mine Tavern – The Mine Tavern has served generations of families food, drinks and good times since opening in 1842. One of Ohio’s oldest continuously operating taverns, the pub is  located on Nelsonville’s historic public square. 14 Public Square, Nelsonville (740) 753-3638.

The Old Tavern – The Old Tavern in Columbiana County is recognized as Ohio’s oldest surviving tavern. The building has stood since 1798, when a one-room log cabin was initially built. With several expansions since that time, the tavern has served as a stagecoach stop, post office, inn, restaurant and a stop on the Underground Railroad. In 2006 the tavern closed and the structure fell into disrepair. In 2011, the Unionville Tavern Preservation Society was formed. Efforts to restore the structure began in 2014 and are continuing. A number of special events are planned to help raise funds and awareness for preservation and restoration efforts. 7935 S. Ridge Road, Madison.

The Red Brick Tavern, established in 1837, is Ohio’s second oldest stagecoach stop still in existence.

The Olde Wayside Inn – This tavern that offers rooms and a restaurant was originally known as Bradford Tavern when built in 1804 in West Union (Adams County). Situated on the Zane Trace from current-day Wheeling, W.Va., to Maysville, Ky., the inn has hosted guests including Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. 222 W. Main St., West Union (937) 544-7103. Connect on Facebook.

Our House Tavern Museum – Our House Tavern Museum is a restored 1819 tavern that hosted the French Marquis de Lafayette when he visited French-settled Gallipolis in 1825. Tour restored taproom, dining room, ballroom and other rooms in the restored tavern. 432 First Ave., Gallipolis (740) 446-0586,

Overfield Tavern Museum – The Overfield Tavern Museum is a two-story, hewn log building constructed in 1808. It served as a frontier tavern, inn, courthouse and gathering place for the community. It is the oldest log tavern in Ohio listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tavern suffered a devastating fire Dec. 7, 2024, that largely gutted the contents of the museum. Fortunately, the walls appeared to be intact and many artifacts were saved; see Facebook for updates. 201 E. Water St., Troy (937) 335-4019.

Pennsylvania House – This handsome brick tavern and inn stands today much as it did in when built in 1839, with four porches and 23 rooms. The Pennsylvania House is now a museum open to the public for tours. 1311 W. Main St. (US 40), Springfield (937) 322-7668.

Red Brick Tavern – This authentic National Road tavern was established in 1837 and has been renovated to reopen as a restaurant and taproom with steaks, prime rib, seafood and traditional American cuisine. The tavern is Ohio’s second oldest stagecoach stop. In its heyday, six U.S. presidents stopped there – John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Warren G. Harding. 1700 Cumberland St., Lafayette (740) 490-7322. Connect on Facebook.

The Smith House is a drover’s tavern and inn built in 1830 on the National Road.

Smith House – This circa 1830 drover’s tavern and inn is located next door to (just east) the Headley Inn on US 40 west of Zanesville and houses Galloping Horse Handcrafts, a business space for crafters and artisans. You can purchase and/or learn how to create jewelry, pottery, folk art, weaving and knitting. The Smith House is located at 5255 West Pike, (740) 868-4047.

Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn – This historic tavern was built around 1837 with three floors, 11 rooms and 12 fireplaces in Federal Period architecture. Abraham Lincoln not only stayed here overnight; he gave a speech in one of the inn’s rooms, now named the Lincoln Room. The Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn is open today with a full lunch and dinner menu. 10150 Plymouth St., Hanoverton (330) 223-1583.

Wolf Creek Tavern – This historic tavern started out as a cabinet-making shop in the 1830s and over the years was a blacksmith’s shop, a children’s infirmary and a womens’ hospital, as well as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Wolf Creek Tavern was a tavern by the time Prohibition took effect in 1919 and operated a basement speakeasy until the end of Prohibition in 1933. Offers full lunch and dinner menu, full bar. 3044 Wadsworth Road, Norton (234) 571-4531.

Ye Olde Trail Tavern – The original cabin structure of Ye Olde Trail Tavern was built in 1827 as a tavern, additional space was built over the years. Try some tavern wings, sauerkraut balls or currywurst to go with a craft beer, wine or specialty drink from the bar. 228 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs (937) 767-7448.

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