Burton – Herbert Hoover once said “The supreme purpose of history is a better world.” As each generation grows older, history does become more important as it connects us to our roots and grounds us in our present. Northeast Ohio is full of history and one such historic place is the Welshfield Inn. With land donated by Jacob Walsh, Alden Nash built the inn during the 1840s. It was originally called the Nash Hotel and was a frequent stop on the two-day stagecoach trip from Youngstown to Cleveland. When you walk in the front door it is hard not to imagine finely dressed travelers enjoying a refreshing afternoon repast or socializing over a fine dinner after the day’s travels.
A few decades later, the facility became part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Over time the building has housed a school, a barber shop, a post office and was the social center for the community.
In 1946, Brian and Pauline Holmes became the proud owners and renamed it the Welshfield Inn. The Holmes’ owned it for over 45 years. In 2007, the SKHM Group bought the inn and renovated, restored and re-opened it. In 2010, they bought the church next door and turned it into a banquet center. There have been many changes to the property over the years, but the commitment to the community is the one thing that has not changed.
The Welshfield Inn is located at 14001 Main Market Road (State Route 422) in Burton, Ohio. Their phone number is 440.834.0190 and their website is www.welshfielddining.com. They accept reservations, but walk ins are always welcome. The staff at the Inn is more than happy to meet your needs; whether it is a casual meal with friends, a rehearsal dinner, an anniversary, birthday, an after-golf meal or any other occasion, they will accommodate your wishes. Larger parties from 20 to 250 are also welcome. If you have a special request, be sure to call them and they will work with you to make it happen. Bob Peterson, the General Manager, has over 20 years in the industry and knows how to make customers happy.
Toby Heintzelman, Operations Manager for SKHM, explained that they “love being part of the community” and try to use local products whenever possible. They offer lunch and dinner seven days a week along with a locally-famous Sunday Brunch. The varied menu offers salads, sandwiches, lunch entrees, appetizers, dinner entrees including seafood, beef, chicken as well as comfort food. The original cinnamon roll recipe from the Holmes’ is still part of the menu today. The Executive Chef, Amber Schuetzman, makes sure that there is something for everyone and every price range.
Other dinner specials include Monday’s $5 Burger Night, 2 for $40 dinners (an appetizer, two dinners and a bottle of wine) on Thursday, Friday night fish fry, once-a-month wine dinners, in addition to the Sunday brunch. The cooler weather in the fall beckons with clam bakes outside. Other specials and discounts are available from time to time on their website and in their on-line newsletter.
If history’s purpose is to make a better world, the history at Welshfield Inn makes the world a better place and definitely more tasty. Be sure to stop and enjoy the view from the beautiful front porch.
