29 Dec Commercial Street Inn

This early 20th century view is from a photo postcard that was posted December 22, 1912. Built as an inn that offered hospitality to travelers on the Wabash & Erie Canal, it had been converted to a handsome residence.

The elevation high above the nearby canal offered a fresh breeze and relief from the unpleasant odors thought to contain unhealthy vapors. But in the era before window screens the hordes of mosquitoes that inhabited the canal and lowlands of the Little River marsh likely followed guests up the hill. Note what appears to be a parrot in a cage on the wall near the bottom of the steps.

Built by William Payton in 1852, the Inn stood at what would later become the southwest corner of Third and Commercial Streets. [3rd Street east of Main was vacated during WW II when, for security purposes, a chain link fence was placed around Coil Engineering & Mfg. Co., which was branded an essential industry.] A staircase with its walnut railing was located immediately inside the front entrance and provided access to rooms located in the upper story. The room on the north of the building (right side of photo) may have been the “ordinary” that fulfilled patrons’ demand for alcoholic beverages – and which could be locked at night to safeguard the inventory of spirits.

Operation of the Inn ended as travelers opted for the speedier service offered by Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad (later known as the Wabash Railway). Passenger service on the canal all but ended and the inn was converted to a private residence. Frances Settlemyre was the last occupant of the home.

The below photo shows the dilapidated condition of the abandoned structure in 2018, shortly before it was razed. Renovation was underway but was interrupted by a fire of unknown origin, and the building remained vacant and deteriorating. At the time of demolition it was believed to be Roanoke’s oldest remaining building. The now vacant site, on the hill directly north of Moose & Mollie’s parking lot, continues to offer a splendid view of the surrounding area.