Readers follow up on the Cottage Inn in Fredericktown

History Knox

Mark Sebastian Jordan authors a column each Saturday at Knox Pages reflecting on the history of the community.

FREDERICKTOWN — Last week’s picture of the Cottage Inn truck stop on South Main Street in Fredericktown provoked a lot of response from readers, including a wealth of info and pictures from Roger Davis, who has the inside track on the history of this restaurant:

This vintage advertisement shows the restaurant as run by the Davis family. (Photo source: Roger Davis.)

So, you want to know more about the history of “The Cottage Inn”?
Here’s what I know: My mom, Mary Elizabeth Davis, known to all as “Betty Davis,” started working in the “Corner Cupboard” Truck Stop in 1948 when I went off to first grade, freeing mom up to take a job outside the home. Our Aunt, Elvina Davis was then the owner of the “Corner Cupboard” which was open 24/7/365. In 1952, Elvina said “Betty, you are a lot better at this business than I am, buy it from me!”. Mom fell for that line, took over the business, immediately changed the name to “The Cottage Inn” and operated it successfully for five years. Mom worked long hours personally, and “employed” her four kids- Patty, Mary Lou, Ray, and Roger, and for a short period, our dad, Willie Davis. Once a good staff was hired, Willie was able to take a job at B&L Motor Freight, much preferring driving the truck to serving the truckers. Mom sold the business in 1957 and took a job at Kroger running the cash register, she said that was “easy work” compared to owning a restaurant.

The Cottage Inn was located right beside the Sohio station on South Main Street in Fredericktown. (Photo source: Roger Davis.)

“Was also a hangout for many kids in the early 50’s,” commented Karen Sherman. “I was one of them. Great memories were made there.”

Wendy Wagner remembered it, too: “Good food, we used to go there and eat in the evenings after we closed up the boat dock.”

A couple of readers further confirmed the truck stop’s location.

Lance Weaver found this relic of the days of indoor smoking at restaurants in a box of miscellaneous items he purchased a few years back in Coshocton County. (Photo source: Lance Weaver.)

“It was next to what became the Rite Aid parking lot and faced Main Street,” Marilyn Stout said. “A gas station and Cochran’s flower shop were to the west of it.”

Don White said that the restaurant was “Run by Ray and Roger Davis’s parents. Cochran Flowers was next door and Steven’s Pontiac across the street. Roger taught me how to be a baseball catcher behind the restaurant.”

Another relic of the days of smoke-filled restaurants was matchbooks which advertised establishments. (Photo source: Linda Eshelman.)

Lance Weaver shared a Cottage Inn ashtray that he purchased in a box of miscellaneous items a few years ago in Coshocton County, and both Roger Davis and Linda Eshelman shared pictures of matchbooks which advertised the restaurant.

Thanks to everyone, and especially Roger Davis, for fleshing out the story of this piece of Fredericktown’s past with stories and pictures.