The Historic Commercial Building

The Commercial Building Located at 301 River Road, is in the heart of the historic district of Maumee. Built in 1836, by Levi Beebe, The Commercial Building is the oldest commercial structure in Lucas County.

Originally, The Commercial Building was a center of community activity, housing law offices, a post office, a public meeting room, plus several mercantile establishments.

In the 1830’s, commercial activity was at an all time high in Maumee. The main stagecoach route between Detroit and Fort Wayne ran by the front door of the inn, and only a few feet away, stretched docks and warehouses where ships arrived and departed several times a day.

In 1837, The Inn was the gathering point for the purpose of organizing the Lucas County Whig Party. Such prominent citizens as James, David and Jesup Scott, George Knaggs, James Wolcott, Horatio Conant, and Levi Beebe were among those who responded to the call.

In 1840, Maumee was designated the seat of Lucas County, and The Inn, only a block away from the courthouse, was a natural gathering place of lawyers and other local dignitaries. Rutherford B. Hayes was one such attorney who frequented The Inn. As a young attorney, Abraham Lincoln is said to have stayed at The Inn. Another man, destined to become a U.S. president, who is said to have stayed at The Inn, is Ulysses S. Grant.

According to legend, a tunnel leading from the Maumee River to the cellar of The Inn was used as a stopping point for the Underground Railroad. Later, this same route was said to be used during prohibition to bring illegal alcohol in from Canada.

After the turn of the century, the building fell on hard times and had a succession of owners. In 1951 Donald Buckhout purchased the building and operated it as The Old Plantation. In 1973 The inn was designated an Ohio Historic Landmark, and eventually was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.