Elizabethtown in Hardin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Welcome to the Historic Rose Hotel Bed and Breakfast
The oldest Hotel in the State of Illinois Still in Operation Today!!
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
1. Welcome to the Historic Rose Hotel Bed and Breakfast Marker
James (1776-1837) and Elizabeth (1789-1863) McFarlan was married on January 22, 1806 and arrived in this area about 1810 by way of North Carolina and Tennessee. According to local history, they built the southwest portion of the hotel in 1812. In 1813 he obtained a license to operate the McFarlan tavern. The tavern served breakfast, dinner or supper for twenty five cents, lodging was twelve and a half cents, oats or corn per gallon was twelve and a half cents, and a half a pint of whisky or a quart of beer was twelve and a half cents. The tavern served Taffia, Cherry Bounce and Royal Cider. McFarlan was licensed to operate a river ferry at this site where salt from the salt works of Gallatin county was transported to Nashville, Tennesse. When Hardin County was formed in 1839, McFarlan's ferry was chosen as the county seat. In 1830 James McFarlan, Jr established the village of Elizabethtown by naming it for his mother. Two additions were added to the building by James Jr. bringing the hotel to its current size. The hotel was purchased by Sarah Rose in 1891 and remained in the Rose-Gullet family until the state of Illinois
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 22, 1806.
Location. 37° 26.727′ N, 88° 18.28′ W. Marker is in Elizabethtown, Illinois, in Hardin County. It is on Main Street north of Locust Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 195 Main St, Elizabethtown IL 62931, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt and in Shawnee Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Anna Bixby Trail/Historic Rose Hotel (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
2. Welcome to the Historic Rose Hotel Bed and Breakfast Marker
Sign is behind the hotel
Also see . . .
1. Historic Rose Hotel (official website). (Submitted on June 19, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Rose Hotel on Wikipedia. The hotel is currently (as of 2026) run by the state of Illinois and managed by a family. In 2000, the place was re-modeled and the exterior was restored to its 1889 appearance. (Submitted on June 19, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
3. Welcome to the Historic Rose Hotel Bed and Breakfast Marker
Back side of the hotel
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
4. National Register of Historic Places plaque
Located on the side of the building
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
