Buxton Inn
Also known as: The Tavern; Dilley House; Buxton House
Why it's listed
Built in 1812 by Orrin Granger, this black walnut-clad frame inn at 313 E. Broadway in Granville, Ohio, began life as The Tavern. The L-shaped building originally measured 40 feet across the front and 64 feet deep, with two-story porches. A front wing was added probably before 1818, and a Victorian rear wing followed in 1852, creating an inverted C-shaped courtyard. Later it was known as the Dilley House. The inn served stagecoach travelers on the Worthington-Newark line, hosted village gatherings and handled mail before a post office existed. Visitors included Henry Ward Beecher, Mark Twain, Henry Ford and President McKinley. It is described as one of the oldest surviving inns in Ohio and stands on its original site, with largely original architecture. When nominated in 1972 it was vacant, and the owners planned restoration for a restaurant, guest rooms and shops.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the oldest extant inns in Ohio, with architecture that is essentially original and shows a simple but durable form. It served stagecoach travelers between Worthington and Newark, acted as a village gathering place and mail depot, and hosted many notable visitors. It is on its original site.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72001029, listed December 26, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 313 E. Broadway, Granville |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | December 26, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001029 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1812) |
| Architect / builder | Orrin Granger |
| Architectural style | Simple Victorian rear wing (1852) added to the original frame inn; Greek Revival porch columns possibly added |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair and altered; the form marks the property as presently vacant, with plans for restoration as a restaurant, guest rooms and shops. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Granville Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.06747, -82.51607 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72001029.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q131374871
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.