The OES visited Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus on August 7, 2004. Originally known as the Bott Brothers Buffet and Billiards and later as The Clock Restaurant, Elevator Brewery is located on North High Street in downtown Columbus. It is home to twelve handcrafted brews, two billiard tables from the 1800s, an excellent dining menu, and at least two legends.
The first legend is the most well-known of the two. On a cold February night in 1909, an infamous womanizer named Col. Randolph Pritchard was at the Bott Brothers Saloon, as he often was. Pritchard was called into the street, where he was stabbed by a woman, presumably one that he had abused. The Colonel stumbled back into the saloon, collapsed on the floor, and bled to death. At the exact moment of Pritchard’s death, the large clock in front of the saloon stopped, marking 10:05. The only trace of his killer was her fresh footprints in the winter snow. The clock stood for many years, stopped at 10:05 for eternity, or at least until it was removed and replaced. The ghost of Colonel Pritchard is said to roam the restaurant but has only been spotted on rare occasions. Pritchard’s killer, who was believed to have frozen to death the night she killed him, is also said to make her presence known. Mysterious footprints have appeared in fresh snow where no one has yet walked. There have been several witnesses who have claimed to see the footprints appear right before their eyes.
The lesser-known legend of Elevator Brewery involves the tunnel system that runs beneath Columbus. Numerous reports state the Bott Brothers had access to these tunnels in their basement. We were able to gain access to the basement thanks to owner Dick Stevens. There appeared to be three separate doorways that could have led into the tunnel system at one time, but they had all been cemented over. We were given the offer to drill through the concrete someday to see what is on the other side, but for now, it remains a mystery.
Location Information: Active Business
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus is located at 161 North High Street in downtown Columbus; Franklin County.
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