The ongoing story of Johnson’s Lamp Shop is a large, rich slice of the historical westward expansion of the United States, and also a remarkable story of loving preservation. Initially built as a private home in the path of the new National Road, the original structure was finished three years prior to the halt of highway construction some ten miles west at Springfield, in 1840. Started at Cumberland, Maryland, in 1811, it was 1838 before the future US 40 reached the George Jones residence in Clark County.

During those twenty-nine years, as more and more people migrated westward, a succession of inns and taverns appeared, often functioning as both. After the Jones family sold the house to Phillip and Mary Weaber, who converted it to commercial use, the ‘Old Weaber Place’ quickly established a reputation as a desirable stop. Their success was short-lived, however, as the railroads usurped Conestoga wagons as a method of travel in the 1850s. During the Civil War, Samuel and Mary Baird acquired the property, and converted it back to a residence. They lived there until 1902, just prior to another revolution in transportation – the ‘horseless carriage.’

During this explosive growth period of automotive travel, the old ‘Buena Vista Tavern’ at the corner of the National and Buena Vista Roads served as a hotel known as ‘Hollyhock Lodge.’ By the 1930s, an early convenience store evolved featuring a gas station, grocery, and restaurant. Several cabins were also added during this period, and was first the ‘Buena Vista Court,’ then ‘Buena Vista Camp,’ finally becoming ‘Buena Vista Motel’ until the early 1960s when it closed.

After 1840, when the National Road stalled in Springfield, some of the inns along the route were abandoned. Many more followed suit during the railroad era, and yet more after automobiles became commonplace. These hostelries were numerous at the peak in the earliest days of the National Road, often only several miles apart, but large numbers of them were razed after years of neglect. Trading hands many times over the decades, deterioration was perhaps inevitable. Only Samuel and Mary Susan Baird, from 1864 to 1902, provided the ‘Buena Vista Tavern’ any continuity.

It was over 140 years since the earliest property record, granted to Matthew Spencer by Congressional Title (Northwest Ordinance) in 1820, when Phillip and Denna Johnson came to rescue the ‘Buena Vista’ from complete ruin. They recorded their deed transfer on May 29, 1963, three weeks after their second wedding anniversary. While the old tavern’s brick walls are substantial at ten to twelve inches thick, the interior was a disaster area, and the Johnsons started pulling this landmark back from the grave.

The first steps included opening an antique shop and renting seven cabins and a couple rooms in the house, followed by antique lamp repair and restoration, then later offering shades for the finished products. Over the next sixteen years a workshop, a new shop to offer more antiques, and a 5,000 square foot showroom were added. Add this to also restoring the ‘Buena Vista’ to its original glory, and you can easily envision untold hours of toil.

To fully appreciate the rebirth of the ‘Buena Vista,’ imagine buying a 125-year-old pink and turquoise house with every major system – heating, plumbing, and electricity – in non-working order and needing complete replacement. Throw in a few major headaches like termite damage to floor support, 26 century-old windows desperately needing replacement, and repairs to almost every part of the walls, ceilings, doors, and floors, and you have the idea. Don’t forget the ramshackle ‘Buena Vista Motel Cabins’ – they don’t want to be left out.A lifetime of devotion by the Johnsons has the ‘Buena Vista’ on a sure footing as part of Johnson’s Lamp Shop. As the Midwest’s largest lamp shop, Johnson’s has a deep inventory of shades, lamps, fixtures, parts, globes, plus a selection of antique lighting. Many of their product lines are manufactured in the United States, and they are striving to increase this percentage with quality, affordable products produced domestically.

Sadly, Phil is no longer with us, but he and Denna shared a passion for authenticity without sacrificing twenty-first century innovations. The Cabins for rent present a retro 1930s look, but offer luxury amenities. Queen size bed, high-definition TV with VCR and DVD, full bath, wireless Internet, and separate heat and air conditioning are ‘standard.’ The kitchen facilities feature a stove, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker.

‘Johnson’s Lamp Shop’ is located at 8518 Old National Road, South Vienna OH 45369, telephone (937) 568-4551. Online at www.johnsonslampshop.com and www.historicbuenavistamotel.com