Golden Lamb
Also known as: Ohio & Pennsylvania Hotel at the Sign of the Golden Lamb; Bra
Why it's listed
Operating as a restaurant and inn on South Broadway in Lebanon, Ohio, the Golden Lamb is described as the oldest inn in continuous use in the state. A license for a house of public entertainment was granted in 1803 to Jonas Seaman, and in 1815 Icabod Corwin built a brick hostel to replace Seaman's log tavern. Later additions raised the building to four stories, including a 1826 section by Henry Share and a fourth floor added in 1878 for workers building the Little Miami Railroad. The inn served as a stagecoach stop and became the town's first theater and a gathering place for lawyers and politicians. Charles Dickens, Henry Clay and many U.S. presidents are recorded as guests. A 1964 rear addition holds a tavern and gift shop, and fourth-floor rooms display Shaker furniture. These associations with local life, travel and politics, together with its architectural prominence, led to its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the oldest inn in continuous use in Ohio and an architectural focal point of Lebanon. It was a long-running meeting place for political rallies, celebrations and entertainment, and served as the town's first theater. Many prominent figures stayed there, including Charles Dickens, Henry Clay and several U.S. presidents.
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 78002204, listed January 12, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 27--31 S. Broadway, Lebanon |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | January 12, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002204 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Icabod Corwin (builder); Henry Share built the 1826 section |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a restaurant and hotel with guest rooms, dining rooms and Shaker display rooms; condition listed as excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Lebanon Commercial District |
| Coordinates | 39.43360, -84.20825 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 78002204.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5579622
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.