{{short description|Historic tavern in Michigan, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Walker Tavern | nrhp_type = nrhp | partof = Cambridge Junction Historic State Park | image = Walker Tavern Michigan.jpg | image_size = 258 | alt = | caption = | locmapin = Michigan#USA | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker = building | mapframe-zoom = 12 | mapframe-caption = Interactive map | coordinates = {{coord|42|03|36|N|84|13|30|W|display=inline,title}} | location = 11710 U.S. Route 12<br>Cambridge Township, Michigan | built = ''c.'' 1832 | added = January 25, 1971 | area = | architect = | architecture = Federal | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | refnum = 71000404<ref name=NRIS>{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp|title=National Register Information System|date=March 27, 2010|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> | mpsub = | designated_other1 = Michigan State Historic Site | designated_other1_date = February 19, 1958<ref name=MCGI/> | designated_other1_number = | designated_other1_num_position = bottom }}
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.<ref name=NRIS/><ref name=MCGI/> The structure was incorporated into the Cambridge Junction Historic State Park and continues to serve as a museum and venue for various events.<ref name=MCGI/>
==History== This structure was built as a modest farmhouse around 1832 by an unknown architect in the Federal architecture style. It stood at the important intersection of the former Chicago Road (U.S Route 12) and the Monroe Pike (M-50). At some point, Calvin Snell began operating the building as a tavern for travelers along the road. Around 1838, Sylvester and Lucy Walker moved from New York State and began leasing the inn and tavern from Snell. In 1842, the Walkers purchased the tavern and renamed it the Walker Tavern.<ref name = "nom2">{{citation | title = NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: S. Walker's Hotel | author = Gladys Saborio | date = November 2006| url = https://catalog.archives.gov/id/25339904}}</ref> 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.<ref name=MCGI>{{cite web|last= State of Michigan |url =http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/8840.htm|year=2009|title=Walker Tavern| accessdate=June 26, 2010}}</ref> The structure served a variety of purposes, including a meeting place for religious and political gatherings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment|url=http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-54463_18595_18613-54301--,00.html|year=2010|title=About Walker Tavern, Brooklyn|accessdate=June 26, 2010}}</ref>
Walker operated the tavern until about 1853, when he constructed a similar establishment, S. Walker's Hotel, across the street. In 1865, the older Walker Tavern was purchased by Francis A. Dewey. In 1921, Frederic Hewitt purchased the tavern and converted it into a museum. In 1965, the Walker Tavern was sold to the Michigan DNR, and it underwent several alterations during a restoration process.<ref name=MCGI/><ref name = "nom">{{citation | title = NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY- NOMINATION FORM: Walker Tavern | author = William Lowrey | date = February 10, 1969 | url = https://catalog.archives.gov/id/25339918}}</ref>
==Description== The Walker Tavern is a two-story frame structure, sided with whitewood clapboard, and situated on a low rise of ground. It is framed with hand-hewn white oak timbers approximately eight inches square. A fieldstone basement extends under about half of the building. The original portion of the tavern measures roughly 36 feet by 18 feet, and three major additions were later made to the rear, extending its depth.<ref name = "nom"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Walker Tavern}} * [http://www.michigan.gov/walkertavern Walker Tavern Historic Site] - official site
{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Lenawee County, Michigan}}
Category:Houses in Lenawee County, Michigan Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Category:Federal architecture in Michigan Category:Museums in Lenawee County, Michigan Category:Museums established in 1921 Category:Houses completed in 1832 Category:Michigan State Historic Sites in Lenawee County Category:Taverns in Michigan Category:1921 establishments in Michigan Category:Historic house museums in Michigan Category:National Register of Historic Places in Lenawee County, Michigan Category:Drinking establishments on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan