Walker Tavern
Encyclopedia
The Walker Tavern is a historic structure located at 11710 U.S. Route 12
in Cambridge Township
in northwesternmost Lenawee County
, Michigan
. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
on February 19, 1958 and was later the county's first property added to the National Register of Historic Places
on January 25, 1971.
It was built as a modest farmhouse
around 1832 by an unknown architect in the style of Federal architecture
. It was built at the important intersection of the former Chicago Road (U.S Route 12) and the Monroe Pike (M-50
). Its namesake comes from Sylvester and Lucy Walker, who purchased and converted the structure into a tavern
in 1843. In addition to a tavern, it also served as an inn for travelers from Monroe
en route from Detroit to Chicago
— a stagecoach trip that once took five days. Famous guests included Daniel Webster
and James Fenimore Cooper
. The structure served a variety of purposes, including a meeting place for religious and political gatherings. In 1921, Frederic Hewitt purchased the tavern and converted it into a museum. In 1965, the Walker Tavern underwent several alterations during a restoration process. The structure was incorporated into the Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
and continues to serve as a museum and venue for various events.
U.S. Route 12 in Michigan
US Highway 12 is a US Highway that runs from Aberdeen, Washington to Detroit, Michigan. In the US state of Michigan it runs for . Previous to the creation of Interstate Highways in Michigan, US 12 ran along Michigan Avenue between Kalamazoo and Detroit, a highway corridor now served by I-94...
in Cambridge Township
Cambridge Township, Michigan
Cambridge Township is a civil township of Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,299 at the 2000 census. With the surrounding areas being protected by the Cambridge Township Fire Department and the Cambridge Township Police Department.- Communities :* The village of...
in northwesternmost Lenawee County
Lenawee County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
on February 19, 1958 and was later the county's first property added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on January 25, 1971.
It was built as a modest farmhouse
Farmhouse
Farmhouse is a general term for the main house of a farm. It is a type of building or house which serves a residential purpose in a rural or agricultural setting. Most often, the surrounding environment will be a farm. Many farm houses are shaped like a T...
around 1832 by an unknown architect in the style of Federal architecture
Federal architecture
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in the United States between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. This style shares its name with its era, the Federal Period. The name Federal style is also used in association with furniture design...
. It was built at the important intersection of the former Chicago Road (U.S Route 12) and the Monroe Pike (M-50
M-50 (Michigan highway)
M-50 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route...
). Its namesake comes from Sylvester and Lucy Walker, who purchased and converted the structure into a tavern
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
in 1843. In addition to a tavern, it also served as an inn for travelers from Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
en route from Detroit to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
— a stagecoach trip that once took five days. Famous guests included Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts during the period leading up to the Civil War. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests...
and James Fenimore Cooper
James Fenimore Cooper
James Fenimore Cooper was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. He is best remembered as a novelist who wrote numerous sea-stories and the historical novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales, featuring frontiersman Natty Bumppo...
. The structure served a variety of purposes, including a meeting place for religious and political gatherings. In 1921, Frederic Hewitt purchased the tavern and converted it into a museum. In 1965, the Walker Tavern underwent several alterations during a restoration process. The structure was incorporated into the Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park is a state park in Cambridge Township, Michigan. It is near Hayes State Park in the scenic Irish Hills area....
and continues to serve as a museum and venue for various events.
External links
- Walker Tavern Historic Site - official site