Throughout Pike Counties history there have been several taverns located in different areas of this large County. The majority if not all lodging was usually located at a residence of a citizen living in his own dwelling. It was law in the State of Kentucky and listed in county records that each place of established lodging be licensed and bonded.

  One such Tavern licensed in Pike County was issued in September 1822 to Spencer Adkins, license location to keep a Tavern at Spencer Adkins house. Under the oath to possess Tavern license,  “Spencer Adkins Constantly fine and provide good and wholesome and Cleanly Lodging and Diet for Travelers and Stabilage, providing pastrage for horses  for the term of one year from the date hereof and shall not suffer or permit any unlawful gaming in his house, nor suffer any person  to tipple or drink more then is necessary or at any time suffer any disorder or scandalous behavior to practice in his privity and consent.”

Executed in the presence                                                      Spencer Adkins

of the Court                                                                              Richard Damron

attested                                                                                     not ledgeable 

Spencer Adkins                                                                      

Note: Open court was being held at Spencer Adkins’ residence and keeping a tavern, simultaneously under the same roof.