Yankee Springs Township near Rutland in Barry County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Yankee Springs Inn

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 17, 2023

1. Yankee Springs Inn Marker

Inscription. Near here once stood one of the most famous inns west of Detroit. It was run by “Yankee Bill” Lewis, a New Yorker who came here in 1836. His establishment, located on the main road from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, was an unimposing collection of log cabins, but the fame of his hospitality was such that as many as 100 people often stayed at the tavern for a night. Sixty teams of horses could be stabled at a time. Stagecoaches stopped there to rest passengers and to change horses. After Lewis’s death in 1853, new roads bypassed Yankee Springs. His inn soon closed.

Erected 1958 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S159.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 42° 36.338′ N, 85° 27.806′ W. Marker is near Rutland, Michigan, in Barry County. It is in Yankee Springs Township. It can be reached from South Yankee Springs Road 0.2 miles north of Duffy Road. The marker is located in a turnoff from the main road that provides parking for the North Country Trail (see photo). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delton MI 49046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan

and in Greater Grand Rapids.

It is also 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

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markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bowen's Mills (approx. 4½ miles away); Scales’ Prarie (approx. 6½ miles away); John Carveth House (approx. 7.3 miles away); Middleville Area POW MIA Killed in Action Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); Calvin G. Hill Memorial Park (approx. 7½ miles away); Hope Township District No. 4 School (approx. 7½ miles away); Mount Hope Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.6 miles away); Early History of Shelbyville (approx. 8.8 miles away).

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 17, 2023

2. Yankee Springs Inn Marker

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 17, 2023

3. Yankee Springs Inn Marker

This is a picture on the North Country Trail sign located on the west side of South Yankee Springs Road which provides access to the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,434 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.