Michigan’s Oldest Business Is Nearly 200 Years Old And Still Going

Let's travel back to 1835. The United States had only 24 states; Texas was at war with Mexico; the light bulb hadn't been invented yet; and Charles Darwin was starting his groundbreaking work on evolution in the Galapagos. Oh, and there was the Great Moon Hoax of 1835. It was a curious time, on the cusp of many other major events.

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Before Michigan became a state (1837), the Sumnerville Tavern, now known as the Old Tavern Inn, opened in the small community of Sumnerville between present-day Niles and Dowagiac in 1835. Owner Peabody Cook probably didn't expect his little tavern to be running nearly 200 years later. But business is still going in the exact spot it started 190 years ago, making it the oldest business in Michigan still operating on its original foundations. 

Used with permission from Carol Snapp

A Brief History of the Old Tavern Inn

The Old Tavern Inn (OTI)'s history is well documented, thanks to a book inside the tavern that traces its history from 1835 to now. According to the book, the tavern began as a 1-room log structure built along the stagecoach route that once connected Detroit to Chicago. Its prime location made the tavern a popular spot.

Bottom right: Old Tavern Inn during the 1900s. Also featured is the certificate showing the business's age. / Used with permission from Carol Snapp

This was the first building in the area, and the town was built around the tavern. Over its many years, the tavern has changed hands 18 times and is now owned by Kelli and Jason Vance. The OTI's most popular menu options are its Hot Ham and its Goulash.

READ MORE: This Little White Building Is Grand Rapids' Oldest Building

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Now, when you see this building, you're probably thinking, "Wow, that building looks very modern for being 190 years old." That's an excellent observation; here's where things get technical.

While much of the building has been modernized, including flipping the entire building 90 degrees to face south rather than west, the current building was built around the original building, with much of the original building still existing inside the walls and under the floorboards, according to the Vances.

Living History's Mysteries via YouTube

The tavern remains a popular place to go and doesn't look like it will go anywhere anytime soon. For a full interview with the current owners of the OTI, view the video below. Thank you to Carol Snapp for providing images for this article.