Although it fell into dilapidation during the late twentieth century, it was named a historic site in 1995, and extensive restoration was to be performed in the early 2010s but to date, has not been.

However, the coming of railroads later in the century relegated the road to a farm track by 1900, and its businesses and towns were reduced to serving only local needs.

Although it survived the neglect of long-distance travelers, the Brick Tavern House gradually fell into dilapidation; by 2012, its windows were boarded up, and the entire structure was tending toward collapse,[6] even though it was part of the campus of Ohio University East.

[7] To save the building, the university applied for historic preservation grants from the federal government, and in September 2006 the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that they had been awarded $128,000 for restoration.

[6] Ultimately, the Belmont County Commissioners agreed to permit bidding for renovation, including roof repairs, in April 2012,[8] and construction had been finished by June of the following year.