A Grant County Landmark
by Barbara Brown

When the stagecoaches rumbled over the Kentucky hills generations ago, the weary passengers who traveled the bumpy and twisting trail, then known as the Covington-Lexington Turnpike, found respite at the stagecoach stop at Sherman, Grant County. Also welcome were the drovers who were driving their herds of cattle and hogs to the markets at Cincinnati.

Located on acreage originally owned by Revolutionary War soldier, Lewis Myers, it served the community as an inn for over seventy years. Taverns and inns such as the one at Sherman flourished along the turnpike in the days before the railroad and the super highway. This house is the last remaining documented inn that was built on the Old Lexington Turnpike and is one of the oldest original structures in Grant County. In 1977 it was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places as an important example of an early nineteenth century inn located on a major thoroughfare that linked central Kentucky with Cincinnati and the Ohio River.

The Sherman house, three outbuildings and the Cason Family Cemetery are located on approximately two acres of the 78 acres owned by the Grant County Board of Education.

The wood frame tavern building is estimated to be over 180 years old. It is one and a half stories high and contains sixteen rooms. The floor plan resembles a "T" with the tail of the T projecting behind the front of the building. The facade has a recessed porch with a front cross gable above. The main entry way is flanked by sidelights with a transom above and windows on either side. This main entry leads into a central hall or reception area. The front porch also has doors that allow independent access to the rooms at either side of the front section.

The ell stretching behind the front of the building has a gallery porch along the south side, terminating in a small utility room at the back. The three main rooms of the ell each have a door to the gallery porch and doors between, but do not have direct access to the front section of the building. The circulation patterns evident in this unusual arrangement are consistent with the building's use as a tavern.

The second floor is divided up into a series of small rooms that would have served for overnight accommodations.

An unusual feature of the Sherman tavern is its wood frame construction, which was the exception rather than the rule for ante bellum wood structures in Kentucky, where log construction predominated. The method of framing used in the building indicates that the builders came from a mid-Atlantic rather than the Tidewater Virginia building tradition that is found far more frequently in Kentucky. The mid-Atlantic tradition may be more common in Northern Kentucky due to the proximity of the Ohio River, the most likely route in for settlers from areas such as Pennsylvania and New York.

The foregoing description of Sherman Tavern was obtained from a report written by Bill Macintire, Survey Coordinator for the Kentucky Heritage Council who has visited the tavern and the surrounding grounds. In his report he concluded: "The building as it currently stands appears to be structurally sound overall and a very good candidate for restoration. The unusually intact condition of this building and the very few later alterations presents an exciting opportunity for both documentation and restoration."

The Grant County Historical Society and the Kentucky Heritage Council concurs with the Friends of Sherman Tavern that this site should be preserved, not only for the residents of Grant County but for all who are devoted to the preservation of history. We envision the building and its grounds being used for educational workshops, as a community meeting center, and as a museum to preserve our pioneer heritage.

Come help us save this Grant County Landmark: Send your tax-deductible donation to: Friends of Sherman Tavern, 1002 Rogers Road, Crittenden, Kentucky 41030.

The above paintings by Mr. Jack Clotfelter of Lexington show how the tavern once appeared. It is projected the tavern will look this way again when restoration is complete.  
For additional information, please contact Barbara Brown.  

Photos of Paintings Courtesy of Barbara Brown.

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