| Travellers Rest Inn a landmark in Greenfield |
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| Thursday, 17 September 2009 | |
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Historic landmarks across Highland County preserve the memories of years past and provoke in some a desire to learn more about the richness of a county founded more than 200 years ago. One such landmark stands at 103 McArthur Way in Greenfield and is known as the Travellers Rest Inn, the current home of the city’s historical society. Built by Noble Crawford in 1812, the inn was the first stone house in Greenfield and today, many artifacts are on display inside its walls. From the basement to the third floor, memorabilia can be seen and a first-floor library provides historic literature on individuals, businesses, landmarks, and more that were instrumental within the city. Travellers Rest, believed to be the oldest building in Greenfield, was originally a stone tavern located at 147 Jefferson Street, according to historical society member George Foltz. He said the building, open to visitors on Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. and by appointment, served as Greenfield’s first post office before being dismantled in 1965 and later moved to its current location. When longtime Greenfield teacher, principal and superintendent F.R. Harris passed away April 1, 1965, he left a bequest of $20,000 to the historical society to acquire the property where Travellers Rest was located. In October of that same year, the buildings on the northwest corner of Jefferson and North Second Streets, which included Travellers Rest, were sold to individuals planning to erect a new service station. On Oct. 11, 1965, members of the historical society and others made a public move to save the old inn. A delegation of local individuals went to Cincinnati and as a result, the Texaco Oil Company announced that it would donate the building to the city of Greenfield. Later that month, Travellers Rest was dismantled. A proposal was later made to place the inn on the site of the old Presbyterian Church which had been torn down as a result of severe wind damage and in March of 1967, a board of trustees voted to restore Travellers Rest on the church site. And as it stands today, passers by can catch a glimpse of Travellers Rest or stop in to explore its history while also strolling through Greenfield’s Old Burial Ground, located just behind the stone building, where many of the city’s pioneers were laid to rest. Four additional landmarks owned by the Greenfield Historical Society can also be seen on a visit to the city and include the B&O Railroad Depot, the Grain and Hay building, the Samuel Smith Tannery and the Old Seceders Presbyterian Church. These locations feature agricultural artifacts, train and military displays, a textile exhibit, kitchen articles and vintage clothing among other items. For more information or to schedule and appointment, call the Greenfield Historical Society at (937) 981-7890 or visit www.greenfieldhistoricalsociety.org. |
By MEREDITH CREEK| < Prev |
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