Over the years, the building has housed various retail stores, such as Parker-Miller Jewelers, the March Café, Naples Italian Grille, and JoJo’s Ice Cream.

In addition to its value as a historic structure, the Old March Hotel has contributed to the history and folklore of Lexington.

In 1922, during the nation’s alcohol ban, hotel manager JW Kepley was convicted of selling whiskey and running a “messy house”. At the hearing, undercover detectives testified that Kepley and other employees sold alcohol to guests. Kepley was fined $ 1,000 and four months’ hard labor repairing roads.

In 1918, famous silent film actor Charlie Chaplin stayed briefly at the Lexington Hotel during a nationwide tour promoting the Freedom Bonds sold during World War I.

An article from The Dispatch at the time described the visit:

“There was no allusion to the funny walk, the funny mustache, and the whimsical little things that got him (sic) attached to the hearts of every boy in the country in Mr. Chaplin’s appearance here. Sure, the little boys gathered until he took help from the police to get him from the hotel to the speaker stand, but he only favored them with a funny hat trick. “

There were also many rumors circulating around the March Hotel, including that Elvis Presley stayed there when he performed a Civitan-sponsored concert at the YMCA gymnasium in 1956. In fact, the famous singer stayed at the old one. New Lexington Hotel, which was across the street. of what is now the Lexington Police Department.