The Story of The Fox's Lair and Olde Town Inn
“The coolest place you’ll never find.”
“Augusta’s best-kept secret.”
“The home of second chances.”
Nestled in Augusta’s historic Olde Town, The Fox’s Lair is more than just a bar—it’s a time capsule of history, music, and community. A beloved live music venue, bar, and "B&B", it has endured nearly 150 years of change, carrying with it the stories of the past while offering a vibrant atmosphere for today’s visitors.
The building itself traces back to the post-Civil War reconstruction era, a time of rebirth for Augusta. The home was built between 1871-1873 by Celia LaFitte DeLaigle, a determined widow who fought legal battles to reclaim her late husband’s estate from his children. By 1870, she had secured land at 349 Telfair Street, immediately setting about constructing the grand Italianate-style home that still stands today. This became the first DeLaigle House. Celia passed away in 1875, but her stepdaughter-in-law, Mary Stedman Clark DeLaigle, continued the family’s legacy, later completing the second DeLaigle House at 551 Greene Street, just a few blocks away.
But the DeLaigles’ legacy isn’t just about real estate—it’s intertwined with one of Augusta’s last formal duels. In 1875, just beyond the neighborhood’s boundary, a duel to the death was fought over Mary’s honor. An Irish immigrant and boarder in her home, Charles Tilly, was rumored to be more than just a tenant. George Ratcliffe, who spread these accusations, challenged him to a duel—a brutal but still semi-accepted tradition of the time. Unlike most duels, which were often settled with a warning shot, Tilly delivered a fatal blow to Ratcliffe’s abdomen. Though he walked away a free man, he remained a social outcast. Mary later remarried and was laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery, one of the grandest cemeteries in the country. Her second husband honored her memory by commissioning an elaborate Celtic Cross over her grave.
The house itself stood witness to even more historic events. It survived the Great Fire of 1916, which devastated 48 city blocks of Augusta, changing the landscape of downtown. Somehow, a small cluster of homes—including this one—escaped the inferno, solidifying its reputation as a survivor.
By the mid-20th century, Augusta, like many cities, saw its downtown begin to decline as suburban expansion and “mall culture” drew businesses and families away. Once-thriving neighborhoods like Olde Town fell into neglect. But in the 1970s, a hero of preservation emerged: Peter Knox, a well-known philanthropist. Recognizing the area’s historic value, he purchased over 60 properties, restoring homes and reviving the neighborhood. His efforts went beyond bricks and mortar—he successfully rebranded the area, replacing its rough nickname, Pinch Gut, with the more dignified Olde Town Neighborhood.
Among Knox’s many projects, one of the most personal was the transformation of this house’s basement into The Fox’s Lair. An avid equestrian and fox hunter, Knox and his friends were known for riding into the woods, drinking brown liquor, and returning here to sleep it off. That spirit of adventure and camaraderie became the heart of the venue’s identity. As Olde Town revitalized, The Fox’s Lair became a favorite haunt for musicians, travelers, and storytellers, blending Augusta’s rich past with its vibrant present.
For nearly 50 years, The Fox’s Lair has been more than just a bar. It’s a place where history lingers, where music breathes life into old walls, and where those seeking a unique, intimate experience can drink, laugh, and connect. Some say ghosts still roam the halls—perhaps a DeLaigle or two. Whether haunted or not, one thing is certain: this place has soul.
If these walls could talk, they’d tell stories of duels fought, fires survived, fortunes lost and regained, and the countless nights of great music, even better company, and unforgettable memories.
So, welcome to The Fox’s Lair at The Olde Town Inn—a place where history meets harmony, and the past feels very much alive. Enjoy your stay.