Near Midway in Woodford County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Offutt-Cole Tavern
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2021
1. Offutt-Cole Tavern Marker (Side A)
Site first owned by Hancock Taylor, early surveyor. Features of log section date it to 1780s-1790s. Major John Lee lived here, then leased to Horatio Offutt, who built brick section, 1802, for use as tavern. He rented building to John Kennedy and William Dailey, who opened famous stagecoach inn, 1804. Tavern operated by Richard Cole, Jr., 1812-1839.
Richard Cole, Jr.'s son, James, was father of Zerelda (Cole) James, mother of notorious Jesse and Frank James. Tavern later known as "Black Horse Tavern." It was operated as a tollgate house, 1848-80. Owned by Lexington, Versailles and Midway Road Co.; acquired by McCabe family in 1916 which deeded property to Woodford Co. Historical Society, 1979, for restoration.
Erected 1979 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 1649.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.
Location. 38° 7.397′ N, 84° 41.997′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Bluegrass Region and in Greater Lexington Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Midway Colored School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Midway Martyrs Monument (approx. 1.7 miles away); Vietnam Grenada Persian Gulf / Persian Gulf Iraq Afghanistan (approx. 1.8 miles away); Korean War (approx. 1.8 miles away); World War II (approx. 1.8 miles away); World War I (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mexican War Civil War Spanish-American War
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2021
2. Offutt-Cole Tavern Marker (Side B)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2021
3. Offutt-Cole Tavern
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
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Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,585 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
