Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 20 February 2005

The History of Warren County Ohio
Part IV Township Histories
Wayne Township by Judge John W. Keys
(Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992)

Page
571

James Corey, about the year 1800, put up a log building in Waynesville, on Wabash square, on Main street, and opened a house of public entertainment there (long since known as the Hammel House stand), and was probably the first to keep a house of public entertainment in the township. Previous to 1806, the premises were sold to James Jennings, from New Jersey, who continued the business and erected a frame building. As no absolute title could be given for lots until after David Faulkner got a patent for the land in 1807, in June of that year, Faulkner deeded to Jennings in that square, Lots No. 7, 8, 4 and north half of 6, for $350. I am unable to state how long Jennings continued in the business, but he was succeeded by Samuel Beck, Robert Way and Richard Cunningham. In 1817, Jennings deeded the stand, including Lots No. 4, 7, 8 and parts of 3 and 6, to John Warrell, for $600. In 1822, Warrell improved the stand by building thereon a large brick building, and sold out and moved away in 1831. Between that date and 1841, a tavern was kept there by Keene, Barnhart & Durand, and N. McLean became the owner, and, at the date above mentioned, sold to Enoch Hammel, from New Jersey, who continued there until about 1863. In 1804, a public house was kept by a Mr. Goodwin, and the first election in the township was held at his house. In 1810, Samuel Test sold to David Hammett Lots 5 and 6, in Miami square, for $50. Mr. Hammett built a large two-story house thereon, plastered outside, with a walk around front to the second story. It was peculiar in its structure, facing three sides to the streets. A tavern was kept there by Hammett and Richard Cunningham until 1819, when it was kept by Levi Johnson, and after him by Brady. No hotel was kept there after 1824. The building will be remembered by the older citizens as the "Old Penitentiary."

A house of entertainment was opened at a very early day on Third street —probably 1805, by David Holloway, and another at the upper end of Main street in a large two-story log house as early as 1808, by Samuel Martin, who continued until after the war. The tavern house at the crossing of Main and North streets, Waynesville, was built in 1826, by Joshua Ward. Israel Woodruff was the first to keep a tavern there, who only remained one year. Then by Joshua Ward; 1828 and 1830, by Brice Curran; 1835, by S. M. Linton. I will not pursue its occupants; it is now (1881) the property of Samuel Cornell & Son.

A tavern was opened previous to 1820 on the Lebanon road, at the crossing of the Middetown [sic] road, in a log building, by Adam Morris. It was for wagoners and travelers a favorite stopping-place; after the building of the turnpike road it was rendered valueless as a tavern. Taverns were opened at an early day at Mount Holly and Raysville, but by whom or when I am not advised. The tavern at Mount Holly, in 1836, was kept by Peter Dehaven. The editor of a paper published in Cincinnati in 1810, called the Freemen's Journal, made a tour through the State, and, in August of that year, on his return, says: "Crossing the Little Miami River, I arrived in Waynesville.