The History of the Heritage, a Historic Landmark since 1827
In 1827, on the land between the Miamis, Edgar Scott built his home. The land he chose was a tract originally purchased from the U.S. Government by John Cleves Symmes in October of 1787. The Wooster Turnpike passed directly in front of the new Scott House and the Little Miami Railroad would shortly thereafter be built paralleling the river and begin carrying riverboat traffic and freight to points surrounding Cincinnati.
The Wooster Turnpike was a busy road, alive with stagecoaches, covered wagons, carts and huge herds of hogs – herds which at times filled the turnpike. Local racehorses were often exercised on the road. At the turn of the century, the home became the area’s most fashionable fine restaurant and its first roadhouse, known throughout the country as the place to go when in Cincinnati.
Sports Celebrites, politicians, newspaper writers – all kinds of famous people – frequented ”Kelly’s Roadhouse.”
”We’re out of paper money”…was the standard explanation give when a customer’s change was returned in coins…which worked just fine in slot machines lining the wall behind the paying patrons.
John Robinson’s winter circus grounds were in nearby Terrace Park, and the Kellys were close to the circus people. Circuses at that time came with a contingent of sophisticated pickpockets, equipped with special tools for cutting diamonds from the jewelry of patrons. At Kelly’s, these traveling hangers-on were offered two dollars or a shot of whiskey for a diamond. In the safe at Kelly’s, quart jars filled with diamonds attested to the popularity of the practice.
The prohibition era was a colorful one and Kelly’s was definitely a part of that colorful era. The Roadhouse operated during these prohibition years, necessitating secret trap doors and other hiding places for the illegal brew. The small frame dwelling behind Kelly’s (still standing), had a cellar filled with Canadian beer, and a barn on the property had more than hogs in it; beneath the straw-covered floor was whisky. Read more
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I have been riding the LMT since I was a child (I grew up in Turpin Hills) and have watched it grow through the years. I believe that the area and the city are poised for taking the concept of leisure bicycling hospitality to the next level. I think the site would make an excellent cyclist B&B. I have been to every incarnation of the Heritage and my brother in law used to be a valet there. The Heritage should be restored to it’s former glory and be an out-of-town travelers destination for cyclist just as much as the Mariemont Inn is for people who fly in to town. Perhaps the Spinnenweber Family might consider it as a sister site for entertaining out-of-town guests. I realize someone else had this idea earlier but just wanted to reiterate that I think it is a great idea.
A family friendly restaurant with homestyle meals.
an ice cream parlor
Why not consider teaming up with Greg Hartman for a Cincinnati brew place on the east side.
Communities in the northern part of the U.S. have started to house year-round farmer’s markets under cover.
Please see, for example…
http://www.ibj.com/growth-in-farmers-markets-continues-into-winter-months/PARAMS/article/25401
What possibilities exist to create an indoor and outdoor farmer’s market, using the Inn for cover?
To my knowledge, the only local market open year round is Findlay downtown.
In Cincinnati there is not a single salad bar restaurant. In Tucson there is one called CHOPPED. It is set up like a fast food salad restaurant or one can order and eat there. When one comes in, they fill out an order form that has a list of types of lettuce or spinach or greens. Then there is a list of other vegetable items, fruits, nuts, cheeses ect. Another restaurant is called Sweet Tomatoes which is also located in Tucson.
Museum/restaurant
LOVE the idea from Luke Muszynski (June 10, 2011) for a totally southern experience. House reminds us of Forrest Gump’s mother’s house. Bubba Gump restaurants are a chain, but they are fun and good! Maybe something along those lines, but not acutally Bubba Gump? (we would go, I know some in the area would have a fit
Something good for families – not too fancy,
The Heritage sets along the American Discovery Trail (google it), (6,800 miles) the Ohio Buckeye Trail,(1,400 miles) The Rails to Trails, (70???miles). I believe that an International Hostel for Hikers (Backpackers) and Bikers (Cyclists) could be an expedious adventure and funded by government green grants as well as any other hostel association trail revenues. The hostel could be host to famous cyclists and adventure backpackers from around the world. “The Heritage” is historical. The American Discovery Trail is historical….enriched in Civil War History. I can envision an international/historical gem in “The Heritage” as an upscale hostel to hikers-bikers. And former US vets…get a well-earned statesmen discount…:)
Rick Wilson’s post: Yes!
Based on the history of this building, I’d believe a great idea would be to open an old school, southern style restaurant. Something like “Heritage Fine Food and Spirits”. Mahogany bar, featuring all sorts of Kentucky Burbon, copper accents, etc. Maybe even setting a small micro-brewery.
I’m thinking more of a lunch, dinner spot;
Appetizers: fried chicken liver, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, potatoe cakes, shrimp and grits
Main courses: Cincinnati Babyback ribs with Jack Daniels sauce
Bone in pork chop
Rack of Lamb
Veal chop
Southern style surf and turf (filet atop crab cake underneath cheese grits).
Wood fired Salmon filet
Desserts: Kentucky Pie, Aglamesis Ice Cream, Key Lime Pie, Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding, Peach Cobbler
For the Heritage House building, I suggest a discount media store. The store could specialize in buying and selling used media products such as books, magazines, videos, video games and music. Given the consumer trend towards getting good value in purchases, I think there would be a lot of interest. The rooms at the Heritage would be useful for reading rooms, video-game playing, and watching sample movies. The store could also have related products such as coffee bar and video game contests. Good luck!
Idea for the Heritage property: top-quality confectionery, serving specialty ice creams (other than the local players), frozen custards, and other fantastic, unique & seasonal desserts. Prices are consistent with quality & product uniqueness yet remaining affordable.
Proposed names: Sugar Rush or HaBanana.
Open it as a Good old Dive with Great Food!!!! Family Style Meals, Ma Be even have cooking clases tought? Call it Home on the Range!!!
I remember eating with family and friends and eating some very odd meals but very good ones great memories with some great friends at that time.
There are so few (if any)restaurants left in the city that offer elegance. Fine dining with a good old fashioned menu, prime rib, rack of lamb, etc, with entertainment, piano or small band with a small dance floor where a couple can share a romantic dance. A place people get dressed up to go to and go home knowing they had a special night
+ My memories are of office Christmas party, Valentine’s Day, and anniversary. I suggest a COLONIAL Restaurant. Staff in Revoluntionary War garb, puffy clothes, suspenders, scarves, various hats and fancy military uniforms for greeters/ supervisors. Food assortment includes venison, wild turkey, wild rice, corn on the cob, vegetables, and berries, drinks: ale, wine, wiskey; and for dessert pies, cakes, home-made ice cream.
A name like the 1776 Inn.
I’d build a state of-the-art production facility next to the old girl, designed to harmonize with it’s architecture. Then I’d move in with my micro-winery/distillery, adding a microbrewery. The production facility would provide all the beverage service for the restaurant. It would also wholesale offsite. It would be specifically designed with tours in mind and a museum for the Heritage aritfacts. I’d operate the restaurant with a speakeasy theme to capitalize on the building’s history.
+
My memories are of our office Christmas party and an annivesary or Valentine dinner with the Mrs. So what about a year round Christmas store and candy specialty store. Candy can be given for all kinds of SPECIAL occasion gifts? Hope this helps.
God bless the USA.
Going to reds games with my father and grandfather when they both were here. Great time that I miss.
Went to the Reds/Phillies playoff game here last week. It would have been better if they won! I did get to watch my sister & brother-in-law get married during the game in the fan zone though!
I always thought about a Bed and Breakfast. Now I hink that a group home for the older generation that don’t want to live alone. They could live in this old home and take a walk down memory lane during their stay. Furnish it with antiques. The residents could conduct historical tours of the common areas. My family is from Plainville and I have many stories about that whole area. My grandmother was a waitress there while a single mother of 3. Thank you for doing this. The stories and ideas are COOL!
I thought Dawn’s idea of a group home for the older folks would be ideal. So many senior citizens don’t want to live alone and could benefit from something like this. Enjoying the rest of their life with other people who want to do the same. It would be a great asset to the community.
How about a table tennis club. You can have indoor and even some outdoor tables for the warmer months.
This would attract many different ages. You could do private parties or leagues.
Have a simple, but fresh menu serving appetizers, sandwiches, salads,etc made with fresh produce preferably from local farmers when in season.
Table tennis would compliment the volleyball at Hahanna
old fashioned candy store w/soda fountain & retro decor
http://www.souplantation.com/ This is the link for Sweet Tomatoes salad bar, homemade breads, homemade soups. We love eating at this restaurant. Everything is fresh and made fresh.
I think it should be a Sweet Tomatoes. We frequent this place in Fla. It is a long wonderful salad bar and they have homemade soups, breads, some pasta and desert. It is wonderful. It is a chain however. I am not sure how the Heritage would fit this modern type restaurant. They are on line.
The story that goes with this property is about me and my dad. My dad recently passed away from a battle with pancreatic cancer. Growing up he told me this story about this great restaurant the heritage. He said from parent to son for generations they talked about this great restaurant. His father father and his father father talked about this restaurant. The father who told the story would eat their every time he was in cincinnati. Told me that any important person that came into town would go eat their. It was like a ritual. I thought it was really cool. So growing up my dad, my brother and me would go to reds games every year. We went to about 6-8 games during summer but fatthers day was like a ritual that we did every year. We always looked forward to fathers day and going to the reds game every year.
being at the REDS game in 1990 when they clinched the division. there game was rained out but we stuck around and the team game out onto the field