YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — At Ye Olde Trail Tavern, history is found not only on the walls, but in them.

What You Need To Know

  • Ye Olde Trail Tavern is the oldest tavern in the Buckeye State

  • It was built in the 1820s by Elijah Mills, the father of William Mills who founded Yellow Springs

  • Ye Olde Trail Tavern is located on Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs

“When we were putting the insulation above the kitchen we went up and found this neat bottle just sitting there,” said Christine Monroe-Beard. “It is a golden wedding whisky bottle from the 1920s.”

Monroe-Beard is a history buff and the latest in a long line of trail owners. According to her, it’s the oldest tavern in the Buckeye State. It was built in the 1820s by Elijah Mills, the father of William Mills who founded Yellow Springs.

“You can see the original exterior of the log cabin. It’s original to 1827,” said Monroe-Beard. “Then the front of the building is from 1842 or 1843 and was moved here by the second owner, Franz Hafner.”

The Hafner family owned the building until the 1950s, it then changed hands a few times before being bought by Monroe-Beard in 2017. Now, customers come in hungry for lunch with a side of history.

“When we brought the trail we found out that previous owner was from Germany so we thought it would be kind of cool to do a German-themed menu.”

On the menu, customers will find reubens, brats, and fish and chips. Monroe-Beard said you may even be able to enjoy a meal with the Hafners themselves.

“This place is very haunted,” said Monroe-Beard. “The original owners are still here. No one really sees Franz, but they definitely feel him and Mary Anne is the most seen ghost.”

Ye Olde Trail Tavern is located on Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs. The tavern is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.