Investigations documented foundations, cellars, and trash pits. These were associated with the main house/tavern, a detached kitchen, a smoke house, a storage cellar, and a slave house. Ceramic and glass tablewares, bottles, eating utensils, and smoking pipes showed that the tavern was a place for travelers to sleep, eat, drink, and socialize. Pieces of coins found at the site - more commonly known as “pieces of eight” - reflected the frequent exchange of money that would have taken place there. The nation’s currency was still being established when Higbee's tavern was in operation. People could use any silver or gold coins as payment. They cut them into pie-shaped slices for more exact change.
The recovery of whiskey and wine bottles, a large number of drinking glasses, jewelry, and musical instruments, such as a mouth harp, reflected the drinking and social events that took place at the tavern. Unlike dishes typically found at house sites, those from the tavern represented a wide variety of types. It appears that Higbee purchased inexpensive, locally made dishes as well as expensive imports to accommodate his economically diverse patrons. To most of the public, he likely served typical tavern fare on plain durable dishes. He would have reserved the fine china and more elegant meals for wealthier patrons.