From the outside the Hitching Post looks pretty unremarkable, a building clad in tan vinyl siding above red painted wooden shingles along state route 177 in the unincorporated community of Darrtown, Ohio. Unfortunately it seems that the remaining portion of the cool old neon sign appear to have been removed in 2008, and now small black and white signs featuring a rearing bronco beckon visitors. Inside is a fairly typical neighborhood bar, with a large menu of contemporary pub food, trivia nights, and open mic musical performances.
But people have been trundling past -- and stopping in for a drink in -- this place for over two centuries. In the early years of the 19th century it was a path for drovers driving livestock to the slaughterhouses of Cincinnati. A few decades later it was a stop on the Hamilton-Fairborn Stage Coach line. Conrad Darr laid out the village of Darrtown in 1818, one year after Abram Darr established the Hitching Post here. Stagecoach passengers "could get a free drink or a gallon of whiskey for 50 cents in the customer’s jug-or 75 cents a gallon, if the tavern furnished the jug." (beerinfo)
The 1817 founding date is noted on the signs, which would make it the oldest bar in Ohio, and the locals bring receipts. History buffs have assembled a list of owners on the darrtown.org site (see list below), along with pictures of various artifacts and newspaper articles. Thirteen years before federal prohibition, the locals voted Milford dry (Milford Township is the municipality that contains Darrtown), and it appears that the business carried on as a boarding house for that time.
One past owner remembered particularly fondly by long-time locals is Earl "Red" Huber, who took over the bar at some point during the 1940s. Huber is remembered in large part for his generosity, including annual Christmas parties to benefit local children. In addition he is remembered for his long friendship with Milford resident and longtime Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston. Alston was from nearby Venice, Ohio, and spent his off seasons in Milford. As a result visitors to Darrtown included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Don Sutton, Maury Wills and Vin Scully. The community adopted the Dodgers and celebrated with a bonfire and parade when the Dodgers won it all. (cincinnati.com)
The latest owners, Brittany Colson and business partner Evan Cusmano, took over the business in October 2022, and I chatted with Britt on this visit. We compared notes on speakeasies around the country and she told me that at some point in the next few years they'd like to open a speakeasy upstairs. I'm not that close, but I'd love to come back if and when that happens, and thanks to Britt I have a number of other bars to add to my to-do list.
History of Owners from darrtown.org:
1817 - Mr. Abram F. Darr opened the Hitching Post.
1851 (February 25th) - Mr. Darr sold to Kiger and Kiger.
circa 1861-1865 - Kigers sold to John McMechan during the Civil War.
1869 (April 17) - Charles Otto became the owner on April 17, 1869.
1872 (January 15) - Jacob Hinkle purchased the property.
1877 (September 22) - Hannah Zimmerman assumed ownership.
1899 - The Schuck family bought the establishment.
1925 - The Shucks sold to Oscar L. Irwin.
1932 (January 20) - Mr. Irwin sold to Pauline Wiley.
1944 or 1949 (August 6) Pauline Wiley sold to Earl F. Huber.
Circa early 1980's - George Brockman purchased the property, following the passing of Earl "Red" Huber
1997 (January 10) George Brockman sold to Martha Bowling.
2000 (May 30) Martha Bowling sold to Lawrence W. Plants.
2000 (June 20) Lawrence Plants sold to Martha Bowling.
2001 (March 8) Martha Bowling sold to Nancy Pitman and Glenda Hall.
2012 (March 16) Nancy Pitman and Glenda Hall sold to Sean Hurley.
2014 (In the fall) Sean Hurley sold to Pat and Tasha Cain.
2023 Pat and Tasha Cain sold to Brittany Colson and Evan Cusmano.
4319 Hamilton Richmond Rd, Oxford, OH 45056 - (513) 255-9256
Est. 1817
Web site: facebook
Articles: darrtown.org - beer.info - yelp
Est. 1817
Web site: facebook
Articles: darrtown.org - beer.info - yelp