Chattanooga Daily Times September 18, 1895

J.W. Kelly & The Read House

Local history is one of our cornerstones at J.W. Kelly & Co, as we continue Kelly’s passion for the city of Chattanooga.

J.W. Kelly was very deeply rooted in the community, but the most prominent connection was the one between J.W. Kelly and The Read House. This connection between these two icons began in 1872, when Kelly was co-owner of a restaurant located in the hotel.

Let’s take a brief look at the connection between these two local legends.

  • April 1864: Thomas Crutchfield opens Crutchfield House in Chattanooga. It is a hotel and a meeting place for soldiers.

    September 1866: J.W. Kelly decides to stay in Chattanooga. He founds Deep Spring Distillery. Also partners with J.G. Webb and opens a storefront next door to the Crutchfield House.

    1867: Fire destroys the Crutchfield House. Kelly & Webb’s store sustains minor damage. J. T. Read buys the property and builds a new hotel.

  • Kelly & Webb establish storefronts on both 9th Street at Railroad (63-65 Ninth Street) and at 833 Market Street. Both are taken over by Kelly when the partnership dissolves in 1876.

    December 1872: The Read House opens. Kelly and Webb own a restaurant in the hotel. Webb sells his interest in May 1874 and opens up another shop under the Read House. Kelly sells his interest in the restaurant to Mr. S.I. Hooke on October 24, 1874.

  • 1885: Both S. R. Read & J.W. Kelly are named in the dedication list as gratitude for their financial assistance with publishing the Chattanooga Times’ special book: “Past, Present, and Future of Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Industrial Center of the South.”

    March 1889: Mrs. J. T. Read & Mrs. S. R. Read gave an afternoon tea at the Read House. Mrs. J.W. Kelly was in attendance.

  • May 1890: Kelly purchases the Read House bar and billiards room. He retains ownership until October 1898.

    October 1892: Kelly purchases the lease on the Read House cigar stand, which he retains until about 1902, when it is taken over by the Read House. Kelly Cigar Co (later Kelly Cigar & Tobacco Co.) brands of cigarettes, cigars, etc. remain available at the Read House Cigar Stand through the 1940’s.

    December 1892: Both J.W. Kelly & S. R. Read are selected as part of the Chattanooga Daily Times’ “100 Men Who Have Done Much for Chattanooga.”

    October 1895: J.W. Kelly renovates the bar and billiards in the Read House.

  • July 1906: J.W. Kelly replaces his former offices on 9th Street with a brand new building. It’s located directly across from the Read House. The building remains until the late 1970’s/early 1980’s when it is torn down.

    March 1907: J.W. Kelly passes away. S.R. Read attends his funeral.

    November 1907: Mrs. Kelly passes away, and her funeral is also attended by S. R. Read.

    July 1926: Read House is re-opened after being razed and rebuilt in June 1925.

    1927: Deep Spring Distillery is demolished.

    August 1938: The Read House hosts Mrs. Sarah Watt Bird, cousin of J.W. Kelly, upon her return to America.

    September 1942: S.R. Read passes away.

    September 1953: Mrs. Sarah Watt Bird (JWK’s cousin), a guest at The Read House, receives a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Longmire - nephew of Mrs. J.W. Kelly.

  • Avocet purchases the Read House.

    Keeper’s Quest, Inc. decides to revive the J.W. Kelly brand, which launched in 2017 with Old Milford.

  • April 12, 2022: Release day for The Read House 150th Anniversary Single Barrel Bourbon.

  • Release of a limited edition J.W. Kelly/The Read House bourbon and rye.