Spread Eagle Ride Recap

By Wanda Carlisle - Chapter President and Ride Leader

Photos By: Eddie Valle
Couples Candids: Maria Weisgarber

It was a glorious day to ride on Sunday, September 19th…the perfect fall day, not too hot and not too cold.  And our ride turnout reflected it.  The ride to the Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn was our biggest ride this season, with 19 bikes rolling out from the lineup and another 2 bikes jumping in along the way.  Since it was a destination ride, totaling only 74 miles round trip, we even had several spouses join us (check out Maria’s couples pictures).  FYI, passengers are always welcome on chapter rides.

First, we enjoyed a relaxing ride on curvy OH171 and OH9 to Hanoverton’s historic district.  Then, once we arrived at the Spread Eagle, we took a deep dive into the 1800s…literally, we were eating in the cellar!  The staff at the Spread Eagle was ready and waiting for us, with the entire cellar reserved just for us.  They were so attentive, it felt like we had the entire wait staff focused solely on our group.  The food was excellent, from appetizer to dessert.  I cannot recommend the Spread Eagle enough, whether it’s a special occasion dinner (or weekend, they are an Inn as well) or simply a piece of pie while waiting out the rain.  And speaking of pie, the staff had three triple berry pies available for dessert and I think we ate them all!  

After our meal, we were treated to a tour of the establishment, including the many dining rooms and a banquet area upstairs.  Kristen, our tour guide, told us about the origin of the Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn, the history of ownership and restoration (performed by the late Peter Johnson), right down to the contents of each of the rooms and/or sourcing of construction materials for the additions to the building and the resident ghosts.  For example, the wood in the “barn room” was sourced from barns that were built not just in the 1800’s, but in the same decade as the Inn.  Every addition represents an aspect of Hanoverton’s place in history, from it’s founding as a stop on the canal to its connection to the underground railroad.  The building is full of beautiful tile work depicting images from Hanoverton’s history.  Peter Johnson’s vision and dedication to historical integrity is truly a gift to us all.