The Emmitt House
The Adventure!
The Emmitt House was built as a hotel in 1861 by the prominent entrepreneur James Emmitt in anticipation of his greatest political achievement - the transfer of the county seat from Piketon to Waverly. Waverly was located along the route of the Ohio Erie Canal, which was completed in 1832. Emmitt was the first to see the business potential of the canal, and in the next two decades, he made a fortune hauling grain, operating a mill, and building a whiskey distillery. He realized in the late 1850s that Waverly's growth would always be limited as long as the courthouse was located in Piketon. Emmitt organized a group of Waverly businessmen to finance the expensive process of convincing the Ohio General Assembly and, later, the citizens of Pike County that the county seat should be moved. The final vote for removal would go before the local voters in October, 1861 and Emmitt began building his new hotel, a structure he expected would be as fine as any along the canal. Since Mr. Emmitt’s death in 1893, the Emmitt house has changed hands several times. Today, it has been beautifully restored and is home to a celebrated restaurant and pub.
Learn More!
Getting there is Half the Adventure!
The Emmitt House is located in historic Waverly along North Market Street. Take US Route 23 / State Route 104 to Waverly. Turn onto North Market Street. The Emmitt House is on the corner of Market and Second.
Click HERE to View the Map
Click HERE to View the Map