 
Front view of the Red Fox Inn
Photograph courtesy of Scenic America: Deborah L. Myerson
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One of the Virginia
hunt country's best-known landmarks, the Red Fox Inn, occupies a site
used for a tavern since the 18th century. The Red Fox Inn was a meeting
spot for Confederate Colonel John Mosby and his Rangers. A century later,
President Kennedy's press secretary, Pierre Salinger, held press conferences
at the Red Fox in the Jeb Stuart room. Rawleigh Chinn, who originally
owned the land on which Middleburg developed, reputedly built a tavern
near this intersection in 1728. Chinn's Ordinary served travelers on the
wagon trail, and later stagecoach route, that ran east-west generally
along the present U.S. Route 50.
The present stone building may incorporate earlier fabric but was mostly
constructed in 1830 for Nobel Beveridge, who stated in a newspaper advertisement
that year:
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Red Fox Inn
Photograph from National Register Collection
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"A new House of Entertainment has been built . . . with all the rooms
comfortable and well-furnished. The subscriber's bar is well-appointed
with choice liquors." Beveridge's tavern since has been remodeled
and enlarged several times. During the Civil War, the Beveridge House
was often used by the Confederates. Most notably, General Jeb Stuart
is said to have met with Colonel John Mosby and his famous Rangers here.The
Inn's present appearance, largely dating from a 1940s renovation by
local architect William B. Dew, is designed to attract its clientele
with an old-fashioned ambience. The tavern has since become an area
institution and remains a fashionable venue for lodging and repast.
Red Fox Inn is located at 2 East Washington St., Middleburg and
is still used as a hotel and restaurant. Call 1-800-223-1728 for further
information, or visit the website at http://www.redfox.com
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