James McBride had the Hamilton House built in 1812 and owned it until his death in 1859.  Joel Kennedy was the first proprietor.  It was originally two stories until a third and fourth floor were added around 1830.  In the beginning each guest was charged $.25 per night for lodging.  These rooms, however, were not private and each guest had to share his room with as many as ten others. In 1821, Thomas Blair became proprieter of the house.  Other proprieters included:  Captain Daniel Skinner, Stephen and John Ingersol, Sweeney, Hubbell, Arnold, and Bagley.  In the 1830's  two distinguished guests stayed at the house, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

(source:  "'Hamilton House' Famous Early Hostelry" by Alta Harvey Heiser)
 

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society