Near Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Headley Inn
The Historic National Road in Ohio
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
1. Headley Inn Marker
close up
Inscription.
Headley Inn. The Historic National Road in Ohio. One of the most beautiful and interesting of the old stopping places is the Headley Inn which provided lodging and refreshment for the westward tide of immigration for 30 years. The Headley Inn dreamed half a century away over rooms stored with fragrant apples and cider and huge heaps of wood. When people came back to the highways in motorcars, the Headley Inn was restored to its original use and became famous along Route 40 – the National Road – for its food and lodging. The Headley Inn was made famous nationally when pictured in one of the great mural paintings in the State of Ohio exhibit at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933.
The 9-room Headley Inn was built in 1802 and enlarged in 1833 with a two-story addition on its east side. The stone walls were constructed of huge blocks of dressed sandstone. The original building consisted of a large basement kitchen built into the slope of a hill plus three rooms opening onto a porch. After the National Road was built, Uzal Headley enlarged his house to accommodate the traveling public. He began to operate the inn and secured a tavern license in 1834. The date stone in the inns addition reads 1834. The east room on the ground level was the Barroom, furthest from the living quarters. When railroads were developed, tavern-keeping on the stagecoach roads became unprofitable, and traffic along the old highway ceased. The little towns that had been so prosperous (Pike Towns) went to sleep, the inns were closed, either converted into dwellings, or destroyed.
One of the most beautiful and interesting of the old stopping places is the Headley Inn which provided lodging and refreshment for the westward tide of immigration for 30 years. The Headley Inn dreamed half a century away over rooms stored with fragrant apples and cider and huge heaps of wood. When people came back to the highways in motorcars, the Headley Inn was restored to its original use and became famous along Route 40 – the National Road – for its food and lodging. The Headley Inn was made famous nationally when pictured in one of the great mural paintings in the State of Ohio exhibit at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933.
The 9-room Headley Inn was built in 1802 and enlarged in 1833 with a two-story addition on its east side. The stone walls were constructed of huge blocks of dressed sandstone. The original building consisted of a large basement kitchen built into the slope of a hill plus three rooms opening onto a porch. After the National Road was built, Uzal Headley enlarged his house to accommodate the traveling public. He began to operate the inn and secured a tavern license in 1834. The date stone in the inns addition reads 1834. The east room on the ground level was the Barroom, furthest from the living quarters. When railroads were developed, tavern-keeping on the stagecoach roads became unprofitable, and traffic along the old highway ceased. The little towns that had been so prosperous (Pike Towns) went to sleep, the inns were closed, either converted into dwellings, or destroyed.
Location. 39° 57.191′ N, 82° 5.676′ W. Marker is near Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It is on West Pike (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5345 West Pike, Zanesville OH 43701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Smith House & Farm (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
Other markers no longer nearby. Nelson T. Gant House (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Additional keywords. Old National Road
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
3. Headley Inn Marker
marker from a distance, second marker, the inn, and mile marker all visible
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
4. Headley Inn Marker
the Inn
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
5. Headley Inn Marker
the sign in front of the Inn
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016
6. Headley Inn Marker
the National Registry plaque, on a stone pillar by the driveway
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 943 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 20, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
