Learn more about the Fox Farm Inn building on Bridge Street
CHILLICOTHE — In the recent February permit report recap it was discovered that the new owners of the building located at 1334 North Bridge Street had received a permit for demolition of the building.
As we say goodbye to the building, let's take a look back at its history.
The house was originally built in the early to mid-1800s for a local doctor who was known to see his patients in the house. It was later sold to a family who started the Scioto Valley Silver Fox Ranch, which is where the building gets its name.
The farm was located on acres of land back when Bridge Street was a two-lane road and looked nothing like it does today. Promotional literature about fox farming from the ranch states that anyone can be successful in fox ranching and that it allows families to make a 1,600% profit five years after investing. Hundreds of silver fox pairs were housed at this location as it grew regularly.
From 1954 to 1983 it operated as a restaurant but closed down until it was refurbished and reopened in 1987. Archived advertisements say the refurbished restaurant offered dining rooms, a bar, two fireplaces and live organ music to accompany your meal. Prices ranged from $6.99 to $25 per person.
Despite being called an inn there are no records of the building actually having any rooms for rent.
After opening and closing for several years due to new owners and management, E.M Smith Jewlers bought the property in 1992 to convert it into a store and office space. Bob Smith, said at that time the building needed totally redone with the insides being in disrepair.
When they moved the location Smith said all they had to say to people in and around the county was that they moved to the Fox Farm and they automatically knew where they were located.
"The farm was a landmark everyone knew," said Smith. "It was a landmark building."
Still, this landmark building took a lot of money to keep operating which is why the jeweler eventually moved locations and sold the property. Smith said he knew when they sold the building it would eventually get torn down so the news was no surprise to him. He said the building would require someone with a lot of extra money to put into it constantly to keep it standing.
The building and property were sold to Nourse in 2020. According to the Ross County Auditor's website, the building was sold to 1334 N BRIDGE ST LLC in early March of 2024.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Fox Farm Inn to be demolished, a look back at its history
