Built sometime between 1798 and 1804 in the heart of Trigg County, the historic Canton Hotel breathed new life Friday morning — a well-attended ribbon cutting for The Red Brick Inn laying groundwork for Saturday’s open house, and a September 1 grand opening of the anticipated bed and breakfast.
Three new keepers of the property — husband and wife Joey & Allison Ruff, and Allison’s mother, Linda Justice — all hail from central Tennessee, and are looking to bring a spark back into the outskirts of downtown Cadiz.
This was supposed to be a retirement project for the family in those later years, but Allison noted things sped up quickly during the spring.
They’d been looking at some property in the area for the last 2 ½ years, and nothing really came to attention or stoked desire.
Then, the family upped their budget, connected with previous owners in the Guth’s, and closed at the end of May.
Allison also noted they weren’t sure what to expect coming into all of this, diving in head first, but the local community has been supportive and “a blessing,” and that connecting with Trigg County really stemmed from a spiritual conversation with God.
Alongside a number of familial support pillars, and the previous care from the Guth’s, Joey said preparations have gone well…but that he, too, doesn’t feel retired. This is the hardest he’s worked in his life.
Fifty pre-sale tickets have already been claimed for Saturday’s 10-to-4:30 open house, with expectations and plans for 150 or more to walk the grounds.
In honor of the Labor Day opening, Joey said they’re about to launch an ad campaign with coupons.com, allowing 20% for stays in this first month. Five bedrooms have various king/queen bed combinations and private bathrooms, and there are options for whole-house rentals — which could theoretically fit up to 14 people comfortably.
There’s already lots of interest, too. Joey said some folks have already secured a couple of rooms for the end of September, while others have already inquired about the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s, as well as the week prior and during Thanksgiving.
And despite not yet officially opening, the family is already looking ahead. Joey confirmed the family has officially filed for its liquor license to create “Boyd’s Tavern” in the basement, and its renovation is nearly complete. Furthermore, land catty-corner to the Canton Baptist Church has been acquired and cleared, in what Joey and ownership hope to be a deck with electricity by spring 2024 — where weddings and small concerts could potentially overlook Lake Barkley.
In the 10-year plan: a reception hall either adjacent or behind the inn.
So, what drew this group to Trigg County, besides the home and the history itself? Joey said it was the people of Cadiz, and the hope of putting Canton back on the map.
After all, it was a Nashville man — Abraham Boyd — who had the facility built more than 200 years ago. And there was a time when the two cities were the same size of roughly 2,000 people and served the same purpose: river ports answering the demands of constant traffic.
Located at 500 Boyds Landing Road, details can be found online at historiccantonhotel.com.
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