Wickerham Inn
NE of Peebles on OH 41, Peebles, OHThe Wickerham Inn is significant because it is one of the last remaining inns on Zane's Trace. Peter Wickerham (1767-1841), a Revolutionary War veteran, moved from Washington County, Pennsylvania to northern Kentucky to Adams County, Ohio, and settled on a portion of Zane's Trace in 1797-98. In 1800, Wickerham began construction of his brick home which was completed the following year, 1801. This was the first home in Adams County to use plaster, and much of that original plaster still remains.
The house was used as a family home and public inn until about 1850 when stagecoach travel on Zane's Trace ceased. The inn was used as a township voting house on November 3, 1804, when Thomas Jefferson was elected to his second term as president. On the night of July 15, 1863, Confederate soldiers under the command of General John Hunt Morgan slept here when Morgan's Raiders passed through the county. This old home was also used as a "station" on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War years.
In September 1957, the home was used as a communications headquarters by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) for the fifth World's Plowing Match and Conservation Exposition which was held just behind the old inn. This event covered 2,500 acres and took in 17 different farms.
The strangest occurrence in this home was in 1804. A new stagecoach driver was laying over for the night and retired to his upstairs room. During the night noises that sounded like a fight were heard coming from the room. The next morning an investigation revealed the furniture in disarray, bloodstains on the floor and walls (which are still visible), and the driver missing. A rumor started that the driver had been decapitated and his head thrown in a nearby pond. A local legend arose that the home was haunted thereafter by the headless ghost of the driver. Then in 1922, the owners of the house were digging up the cellar floor, when they found a crypt in which was buried the headless skeleton, presumably that of the long-missing stagecoach driver.
The Inn has remained in the Wickerham family since its construction and the current owner is a Wickerham descendant. The property has been altered through the years, and it represents the changing architectural tastes of the Wickerham family. The diminutive bracketing and the refined wooden porch are indicative of the mid-19th century architectural styles, but perhaps most intriguing is the turn-of-the-century dormer in the front elevation of the roof with its Palladian openings and sunburst medallion. This was probably added while Peter Noah Wickerham, who ran a general store in nearby Peebles, owned the house. The county history published in 1900 related that Peter had "a very happy disposition, and without seeming to do so, is always seeking to make others happy." This personality characteristic may help to explain the unusual design of the dormer.
Local significance of the building:
The house was used as a family home and public inn until about 1850 when stagecoach travel on Zane's Trace ceased. The inn was used as a township voting house on November 3, 1804, when Thomas Jefferson was elected to his second term as president. On the night of July 15, 1863, Confederate soldiers under the command of General John Hunt Morgan slept here when Morgan's Raiders passed through the county. This old home was also used as a "station" on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War years.
In September 1957, the home was used as a communications headquarters by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) for the fifth World's Plowing Match and Conservation Exposition which was held just behind the old inn. This event covered 2,500 acres and took in 17 different farms.
The strangest occurrence in this home was in 1804. A new stagecoach driver was laying over for the night and retired to his upstairs room. During the night noises that sounded like a fight were heard coming from the room. The next morning an investigation revealed the furniture in disarray, bloodstains on the floor and walls (which are still visible), and the driver missing. A rumor started that the driver had been decapitated and his head thrown in a nearby pond. A local legend arose that the home was haunted thereafter by the headless ghost of the driver. Then in 1922, the owners of the house were digging up the cellar floor, when they found a crypt in which was buried the headless skeleton, presumably that of the long-missing stagecoach driver.
The Inn has remained in the Wickerham family since its construction and the current owner is a Wickerham descendant. The property has been altered through the years, and it represents the changing architectural tastes of the Wickerham family. The diminutive bracketing and the refined wooden porch are indicative of the mid-19th century architectural styles, but perhaps most intriguing is the turn-of-the-century dormer in the front elevation of the roof with its Palladian openings and sunburst medallion. This was probably added while Peter Noah Wickerham, who ran a general store in nearby Peebles, owned the house. The county history published in 1900 related that Peter had "a very happy disposition, and without seeming to do so, is always seeking to make others happy." This personality characteristic may help to explain the unusual design of the dormer.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Cincinnati Reds, one of Ohio's two Major League Baseball teams (along with the Cleveland Indians), were the first professional baseball team to wear uniforms with numbers on them. They did so in 1911, to help fans identify players more easily.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Ohio, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, who held the region as hunting grounds. In the late 1700s, European settlers began to arrive in Adams County, establishing the first permanent settlements.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Adams County, Ohio.
- 1787 - Adams County is established as the first county in the Northwest Territory.
- 1790 - The county's first permanent settlement, West Union, is founded.
- 1798 - The first courthouse is built in West Union.
- 1803 - Ohio becomes a state, and Adams County is part of the new state.
- 1828 - The Ohio and Erie Canal reaches Adams County, boosting trade and transportation.
- 1865-1869 - The Civil War and its aftermath bring significant changes to Adams County.
- 1877 - The Ohio River flood devastates the county, causing significant damage.
- 1920s - Adams County experiences economic decline due to the Great Depression and the decline of coal mining.
- 1967 - The Adams County Amish community is established, leading to an increase in tourism and cultural diversity.
- 1987 - The Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center is opened, providing vocational education opportunities.
- 2005 - An observatory, the John T. Wilson Homestead Observatory, is opened to promote astronomy and scientific education in the county.