“If these walls could talk….” I must have heard this saying at least ten times while I was enjoying a Prime Rib special at the Red Brick Tavern in London, Ohio.
Of course, I agree, but I had not really given it much thought. The three-story tavern and roadside inn was built by the Minter family in the late 1830s and was a popular stop for Americans in search of opportunities out west. William and Mary settled here with their nine children in the town they named Lafayette, halfway between Columbus and Springfield.
Most would travel the muddy road known as the National Road which originated from Cumberland, Maryland to include Stanley Watson from Connecticut. Stanley wed Effa Minter, was given a parcel of land from her father on which the Red Brick Tavern was built in 1836 and was then leased to John McMullen.
Designed in the style of Old English Manor, the Red Brick Tavern originally offered twenty-four rooms for travelers, while the ground level housed the kitchen and dining room. It was a “reversed L” structure where the front of the building faced the National Road and a narrow section extended along the side street. The third story was the private residence of the family and could be accessed by a stairway with four rooms were located under the gables of the front wing.
According to a placard outside, the Red Brick Tavern entertained six United States Presidents to include John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Warren G. Harding.
Eventually the property would revert back to the Minter family in February of 1854 and would be passed on to the next generation where it would become a school and a rental property. By 1923, the property would no longer remain in the Minter family and would sold to become a tearoom and restaurant.
Today, the Red Brick Tavern thrives as a restaurant owned by Cris Cummins and Madonna Christy who purchased the property in 2007.
Known for their home cooked meals, local residents fill the dining room for their daily specials and desserts. I was excited to learn that in addition to dinner rolls, the restaurant also served cinnamon rolls before the meal.
The Red Brick Tavern had come full circle and was once again a restaurant. I was happy to visit on Friday night for their Prime Rib special that included a side dish, rolls and dessert.
This little historic gem has been a witness to American history with the building of the National Road and for hosting several Presidents of the United States and now it was going to witness me eat their perfectly prepared, medium-rare steak, followed by a slice of their decadent peanut butter pie.
Have you visited the Red Brick Tavern in Lafayette? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thank you for reading about my visit to Red Brick Tavern and wishing you many Happy Travels.
What to See and What to Do:
Red Brick Tavern
1700 Cumberland Street
London, Ohio 43140
Telephone; 614 200 5447
Go on Friday and/or Saturday night for their prime rib special and save room for dessert!