The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel

The Golden Lamb dates back to 1803, when Jonas Seaman paid $4 for a license to operate a “house of public entertainment” — basically a tavern and inn — in the newly founded village of Lebanon. Today, it holds the title of the oldest continuously operating business in Ohio. It’s been hailed as Ohio’s “most famous restaurant” and one of the state’s most iconic and classic eateries by national media outlets and food publications. The Golden Lamb also ranks among “10 of the most historic restaurants” in the U.S., celebrated for its deep roots and continuous operation since the early days of the Republic.

Thanks to its location between Cincinnati and the historic National Road (U.S. 40), it was a popular stagecoach stop in the 19th century — and later a favored campaign stop for politicians.

A simple painted sign of a golden lamb hung outside, allowing early travelers who couldn’t read to recognize it — and that sign eventually became the business’s name.

The current four-story brick building incorporates a substantial 1815 rebuild and reflects Federal-era design. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Federal-era design captures early American elegance with influences from ancient Greece and Rome, but with a simpler, more polished approach than earlier colonial designs. It’s all about symmetry, balance, and understated luxury, featuring perfectly symmetrical buildings, brick or wood exteriors, fanlights above doors, and slim columns with decorative trim. Interiors are light and airy, with smooth plaster walls, elegant fireplaces, and tasteful moldings that avoid heaviness. Soft, refined colors complete the look.

Location:

The Golden Lamb

Address: 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036

Phone: (513) 932-5065

Hours

Monday–Saturday: 11:00/11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Golden Lamb functions as both a restaurant and a boutique hotel, with 17 guest rooms and several dining spaces including The Black Horse Tavern and multiple private dining rooms. We are open year-round with historic overnight accommodations. All have antique furnishings, private bath, television, air conditioning, telephone and are named after a famous guest of the Inn. They are located on the second, third and fourth floors of the building with no elevator.  All rooms are non-smoking.

Its menus now blend classic comfort food with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients — including produce from its own farm.

The inn has a museum space on the fourth floor displaying artifacts and history of its innkeepers and local culture.

Famous People and the Golden Lamb

Over its more than two centuries, the Golden Lamb has hosted a remarkable list of figures, including:

The Golden Lamb has hosted these presidents:

1. John Quincy Adams
2. Martin Van Buren
3. William Henry Harrison
4. Benjamin Harrison
5. Ulysses S. Grant
6. Rutherford B. Hayes
7. James A. Garfield
8. William McKinley
9. Warren G. Harding
10. William Howard Taft
11. Ronald Reagan
12. George W. Bush

Writers:

1. Charles Dickens
2. Harriet Beecher Stowe
3. Mark Twain
4. Alex Haley
5. James Whitcomb Riley

Other Famous Visitors

1. Neil Armstrong
2. Barbara Bush
3. Mitt Romney
4. Charles Laughton
5. Kesha
6. And many more

Rooms (including historic overnight rooms)

• Total rooms: 17 guest rooms
• These are historic-style rooms, many:
  • Named after famous guests (including presidents)
  • Furnished with antiques
  • Located on upper floors (no elevator)
  • Some additional spaces in the building are preserved as museum-style historic rooms, not all used for overnight stays.

President Rooms you can stay in

• Ulysses S. Grant Room
• William Howard Taft Room
• Ronald Reagan Room
• George W. Bush Room
• Rutherford B. Hayes Room
• Warren G. Harding Room

Literary & Famous Guest Rooms

• Charles Dickens Room
• Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) Room
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Room
• Clement L. Vallandingham Room
• Charles R. Sherman Room

Ghost Stories

With more than 220 years of history, it’s no surprise the Golden Lamb has accumulated its share of ghost stories and folklore. Staff will sometimes share stories if you ask

Here are the most well-known legends:

1. Sarah’s Room (Room 16)

The inn’s most famous “haunted” room is linked to Sarah Stubbs, a child who once lived there. Guests have reported hearing footsteps, seeing objects move, and sensing the presence of a child. It’s easily the most well-known ghost story at the inn.

2. Harriet Beecher Stowe Room

Frequently noted for its paranormal activity, with some guests claiming to experience strange sensations or unexplained disturbances.

3. Clement L. Vallandingham Room

One of the darkest tales tells of a man who accidentally shot himself in this very room, which is still said to be one of the most haunted spots.

4. Charles R. Sherman Room

An Ohio Supreme Court justice who passed away suddenly at an inn is said by some to still have his spirit lingering there.

The Rocking Chair That Moves

Staff and guests have shared stories of a rocking chair in one of the historic rooms that seems to move on its own. Legend has it the chair rocks when no one’s around, objects sometimes shift slightly, and lights occasionally flicker for no clear reason. While there’s no solid proof, the tales continue to circulate among employees and overnight visitors.

Guests sometimes mention feeling watched or hearing breathing and footsteps, while others notice nothing at all—it’s a mixed bag. Even the historian says most people report sensing “a presence” rather than seeing full apparitions. Plenty of guests experience nothing at all. The building is very old (creaks, pipes, uneven floors) so it makes sounds. There are enough consistent stories exist that staff won’t dismiss it either.

Hiking

The Golden Lamb does not have specific hiking trails. Although it has plenty of steps to get to the upper floors.

However, you can visit nearby Caesar Creek State Park and or Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve. I have completed a blog for each. So, there are many options for hiking in the area.

Conclusion

I always wanted to visit the Golden Lamb and thankfully I was able to go there in December, 2025. The restaurant's food was really good. It was fund to explore the building. If you get a chance to go there, I highly recommend that you do.