Franklin Township in Tipton in Lenawee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Davenport House

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017

1. Davenport House Marker

Inscription. In 1834 Henry W. Sisson of New York settled here and built a log tavern, located on Evans Lake where the Chicago Road enters the Irish Hills. The tavern was purchased in 1839 by John Davenport, who owned the property until 1864. During this time the present building was constructed. Known as Lancaster House from 1864 to 1884, the building was later to serve as a general store and post office. As late as 1900 stagecoaches stopped here regularly.

Erected 1971 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L123.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 42° 3.773′ N, 84° 7.024′ W. Marker is in Tipton, Michigan, in Lenawee County. It is in Franklin Township. It is on Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) 0.3 miles west of Breyman Highway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1280 Michigan Avenue, Tipton MI 49287, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Annie Oakley (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jesse James (approx. 0.9 miles away); David Crocket

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(approx. 0.9 miles away); Sitting Bull (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bow and Arrow (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lasso the Bull (approx. 0.9 miles away); Calamity Jane (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sheriff Seth Bullock (approx. 0.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Davenport Hotel. The Davenport Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. From the Nomination Form:

By the time the present Davenport Hotel was built, the Chicago Road's days as a great immigration and transportation route were over, with stage service between Detroit and Chicago replaced by the Michigan Central and Michigan Southern railroad lines completed in the early 1850s. The 1856-57, 1959, 1863, and later state gazetteers show no indication of stage service along this segment of the Chicago Road.

While the hotel did offer room and board, it seems to have served primarily as a social center, drawing people from miles around for events and dances on the spring, hickory floor of the upstairs ballroom, and to partake of the hotel's food and drink. According to an article in the August 20, 1952, Adrian Daily Telegram, pieces of tickets found in the inn's walls reference holiday events such as New Year's parties. One example was a "social party" the
Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017

2. Davenport House and Marker
Friday evening after Thanksgiving in 1865: "Social party. Yourself and your lady are respectfully invited to attend a social party at the Lancaster house, Evans Lake on Friday evening, Nov. 24th, 1865. Music by Allen's Quadrille Band. $3.00. H. Lancaster, proprietor."

(Submitted on June 13, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Davenport House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017

3. Davenport House

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017

4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 661 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 26, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.